[JS Kwt]

Peugeot-Citroen DS 7 Crossback SUV spied in India

New SUV from PSA Peugeot-Citroen's luxury arm spotted on test, could be the brand’s first offering for India.

That Groupe PSA (consisting of Peugeot and Citroen) is all set to make an India entry has been known for some time now. What hasn’t been known, is its plan for a product line-up in our market. Now, though, things are becoming clearer as PSA has started testing the DS 7 Crossback, which has been spied on Indian soil for the first time.




But first, for a brief introduction to the DS brand. What started off as a suffix for special versions of Citroen's existing models was spun off into an independent luxury brand in 2014, and named DS Automobiles. The company focuses solely on making premium, luxury products, and while most of its offerings have been re-engineered Citroens, the DS 7 Crossback is its first built-from-the-ground-up model.

The DS 7 Crossback sits on PSA's EMP2 platform, which also underpins the Citroen C5 Aircross and the Peugeot 5008 SUVs. To give you an idea of what the DS 7 Crossback really is, it is meant to take on the Volvo XC40, BMW X1 and Audi Q3, but with an aim to offer more luxury, it’s bigger and more spacious than them all, and also packs in a plush interior and tech not seen before in the segment.

Engine options on the DS 7 Crossback include a 1.5-litre, 130hp diesel, a 2.0-litre, 180hp diesel and a 1.6-litre, 222hp turbo-petrol. A six-speed manual is standard on the 1.5, while the 2.0-litre diesel and the turbo-petrol get an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Power is sent to the front wheels only. A plug-in hybrid variant with 300hp and a 50km all-electric range is set to be introduced in 2019.

It’s clear that Groupe PSA is set to make its India entry with a DS model, but whether it will remain a DS or will be rebadged as a Citroen or a Peugeot is unclear at this time. What the DS 7 Crossback spotted on test could also be doing is testing the brand's BS-VI-compliant engines as well as the transmissions, both of which are set to be manufactured at the company’s new powertrain facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. Groupe PSA has also acquired the rights to the Ambassador name from Hindustan Motors, but what it chooses to do with that remains to be seen.

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Scoop Image

Some pics of the International DS7

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[1100D]

DS hasn't picked up in Europe as much as PSA would have liked and I am sure they would not be thinking about introducing it here. Unless they have plans to leverage the Ambassador brand for something that cannot be directly be identified as a Peugeot or a Citroen.

[Avinash_R]

Looks like a Chinese clone of an Audi Q3. Looks good nevertheless.

[IshaanIan]

Those rear tail lights and the interior look fantastic. However from what I could make out on YouTube videos of it with its Laggy touchscreen interface and few other not so well implemented features, I think the brand DS is still half a generation of not one generation away from a complete product that one would have no qualms recommending. A little bit more originality like displayed in the interior design and those taillights, more high end features like the active suspension, and a smooth touchscreen interface would sort this thing out.

[motorworks]

I do not think Peugeot has any plans for the DS sub brand in India. Its too niche even in Europe.

However it may be a possibility that they would launch this is as a CBU just to attract some attention and create some buzz.

This aside, Peugeot has to be very sure what it wants to accomplish in India. The top four spots are taken, Suzuki, Hyundai, Mahindra and Tata. These 4 account for more than 75% of market share. Then there are credible players like VW, Skoda, Ford, Renault and the rest fighting for the remaining 25%. And all of these so called fringe players have spent a decade or more in India. So its no easy ride.
And then you have Kia waiting to walk in and my guess is that Kia would be in the top 5 in the next 5 years.

So what does Peugeot want to do in India? If they start slow and take too long to bring in market relevant cars, then they cannot survive. If the management does not approve a super aggressive plan for India, I think they might as well not come in.

[volkman10]

Peugeot is speculated to test the EMP 2 architecture which is used on the Citroen C5 Aircross.

Citroen is testing components of the C5 Aircross on the DS 7 Crossback. CS Aircross will come to India via the CKD route.

DS 7 Crossback

– Won’t be launched in India
– Being used to test the Citroen C5 Aircross
– The C5 Aircross will take on the Jeep Compass

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[ChiragM]

Thanks to Chandra Prakash Sinha for sending these images in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts via this Team-BHP page!

A DS 7 Crossback was spotted testing in Dwarka, New Delhi:

[anu21v]

Originally Posted by ChiragM

Thanks to Chandra Prakash Sinha for sending these images in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts via this Team-BHP page!

A DS 7 Crossback was spotted testing in Dwarka, New Delhi:
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This is not a Testing or Mule Car by Any Yardstick. This looks more like a private-owned car by some delhite or maybe even a Car Purchased by PSA for its India Based Executives. Fat chance it will come to India.

[Durango Dude]

Going by how their other compatriots are faring in the Indian market, I don't see them blossoming here. They will invariably be over priced and under/featured & powered and will cost a bomb to service, given the Euro/₹ disparity. Wonder why they are coming here? This would be priced very close to the German Triumvirate's products. We all know how the Renault Alliance is faring, FIAT is almost done and dusted, Jeep is doing meagre numbers.

[ChiragM]

Originally Posted by anu21v

This is not a Testing or Mule Car by Any Yardstick. This looks more like a private-owned car by some delhite or maybe even a Car Purchased by PSA for its India Based Executives. Fat chance it will come to India.

The car has an "On Test" board displayed on the rear windshield.

[diwa]

Originally Posted by ChiragM

The car has an "On Test" board displayed on the rear windshield.

Yes, zooming one of the pictures says "ON TEST, ICAT, GOVT OF INDIA" - https://www.screencast.com/t/hxCuw2dGDoti. Looks like they are in the process of Homologation.

[JS Kwt]

Peugeot DS7 SUV spied on video
– On test by ICAT, Govt of India

https://youtu.be/7-ypJUvCg74

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[jayguar]

Groupe PSA (Peugeot S.A.) today confirmed its plan to launch its Citroen brand in India. Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the Managing board, announced the arrival of the French brand in India, as part of the presentation of FY2018 financial results. The company said that the plan to launch the Citroen brand in India is part of the PSA Group's ambition to conquer new markets, and India is a part of it. Citroen's first vehicle for India is expected to arrive by the end of 2021, after the company commences the production of powertrain for the Indian market.

Linda Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, Citroen, said, "We are very proud to launch Citroen in India, one of the fastest growing markets in the world. Building on the Brand's success in Europe with 5 consecutive years of growth, I am convinced that Citroen's selling proposition of unique styling, eco-friendly & comfortable cars at the heart of the market has all the potential to satisfy Indian customers."

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[itwasntme]

Looking at the minuscule footprints of 'large' global players like Renault-Nissan, Fiat, Jeep and Chevy in India, I would feel insecure buying such products unless on a corporate leasing scheme.

5 to 6 years down the line, you cannot even forecast what the sales and service will be like and the same success/failure will be replicated in the used car market.

[volkman10]

Citroen that will lead the PSA Group's charge in India.

The Citroen C5 Aircross will enter the trending and competitive SUV segment in India and will go up against the likes of the Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass and Tata Harrier.

Linda Jackson, CEO, Citroen:

We are going to be efficient when we come to the market. So that could be efficient in terms of being disruptive.
It could be disruptive in the way that we come to the market, the way that distribution strategy could be. And they're going to be available at the right price at the heart of the market

Will this work?

Citroen will leverage the digital medium to not just market its products but also for the actual distribution and retail of cars as well

Sports Utility Vehicles or SUVs. Citroen has already been aggressively refreshing its model lineup.

Across the world we have launched a highly successful B segment SUV (C3 Aircross) and of course the C SUV (C5 Aircross). So I think across the B and C segments we see, as we call them - volume-profit opportunities. And I think wherever you go that's evident - from South America, to China, to India. From a Citroen point of view that's why we have launched the vehicles in the sequence that we have. Recognising that the priority you do these things is the priority of the market. I think that's probably true of the Indian market

The Citroen C5 Aircross midsize SUV that will be the brand's first car to roll out in India. It is expected to be followed quickly by the C3 Aircross compact SUV and its premium hatchback alter ego, the C3. While the models will be heavily customised to suit Indian consumer needs as well as market regulations, the company is sure that it will launch only its global range in India. There will be no India-only models being developed

The PSA group has two joint-ventures with Hindustan Motors. The first is for manufacturing and distribution of its cars, while the second focuses on powertrain manufacturing. In both cases, the company will look to leverage the India production base for not just catering to the domestic market needs, but also exports to other parts of the world, where similar specification cars could potentially do well.

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