Citroën will unveil Wild Rubis, its new SUV concept car, a set to rival the the market’s premium SUVs. The model has been designed by Citroën’s design department for the Chinese market with chances to be launched on other markets later.
Citroën’s strategy in China is to install DS as a premium brand. Through the joint venture with Chang’An, it already has all the attributes of a genuine brand, including a dedicated network, a specific name and logo (DS) as well as a distinctive signature (“DS Spirit”). As part of the plan, Citroën will release 3 further DS models and increase Chinese dealerships up to 200 in 2016.
According to a McKinsey report, China’s premium car market is set to grow at an annual rate of 12% over the next seven years, compared with 8% for the overall passenger car market. Premium cars in China accounted for just 24,000 units in 2000 and increased to over a million in 2012 (+x %) and by 2020 China will be selling around three million luxury cars while the U.S. will be selling around 2.3 million. By 2020, it is estimated there will be 23 million affluent urban households in China – 7% of the total population China’s total luxury auto market is expected to equal that of all of Western Europe. The population will not only be living in Shanghai and Beijing, but in around 300 urban centres where consumers will have sufficient household income to buy premium vehicles.
Technical specification:
The new concept will measure 4.70 meters (185.04 inches) in length, 1.95m in width and 1.59m in height with an exceptionally long wheelbase of 2.9m. Sitting on its four 21″ wheels, its petrol and diesel engines will deliver from 160 to 200 horsepower. There will also be a hybrid version that will combine a 1.6-liter THP petrol engine with an electric motor for a total output of 240 horsepower. The hybrid model will be offered in an all-wheel-drive version where the electric motor will drive the rear wheels, while the petrol engine powers the front wheels. For non-hybrid models, only a front-wheel-drive version will be offered.
