Touted as a crossover with “ground-breaking” technology, the Citroen DS Wild Rubis concept was unveiled at the Shanghai motor show, but up until this point, we had but a few photos to contend with, and limited information. Now, though, the French automaker has released full details on the concept which they say “allies attractive design with unique sensations behind the wheel.”
After reading the official press release, we can tell you the Wild Rubis has a hybrid drivetrain, which uses a 225 hp 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine as well as a 70 hp electric motor located on the rear axle. The latter can power the car by itself, with no internal combustion intrusion, for up to 50 km or 31 miles. Its lithium-ion battery can be separately charged from a regular socket, so this is actually a plug-in hybrid.
However, Citroen would have us believe that it is also both sporty to drive and very green and economical. They back the two claims up with two figures: 295 hp combined and 43 g/km CO2. The petrol engine isn’t directly connected to the rear wheels, which are only powered by the electric motor. This means instant response when grip is lost (it usually runs in front-wheel drive only mode), as the rear wheels spin into life and try to steer the vehicle back on course.
For more serious off-roading, there’s also a locked all-wheel drive mode, which keeps all four wheels turning at the same time.
The design is a unique and unmistakably-Citroen-blend of the current DS range’s styling, with even more aggressive styling cues, and headlights which they probably spent a lot of time designing, with their C-shaped LED daytime running lights. From the side, the sheer length of the vehicle becomes apparent, accentuated by the long bonnet and low roof line – it is 4.7 meters long, which means it’s only marginally shorter than a VW Touareg.
By Andrei Nedelea
PHOTO GALLERY
