Citroën Wild Rubis Concept Will Be Built Strictly for Asia

CEO Frederic Banzet says that a production version of the company’s Wild RubisDS DS Wild RubisFrance, 2013 > 2013 crossover is in the works, but it will only be offered in Asia. The production version will debut in April 2014 at the Shanghai Motor Show and go on sale in very late 2014.

"The production model will be less radical than the Wild Rubis concept. For example, it will not sit on 21-inches wheels," said Banzet.

The Wild Rubis concept debuted at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show. It was designed to combine power and luxury in its looks. The front had a large style panel with a stylized DS emblem that connected to the complicated full LED headlights, which wrap around nearly to the front wheel wells.

The rear showed the Wild Rubis' most interesting feature; the roof was higher along the sides than it is in the middle. This was probably to provide more entry room to passengers, but it made the Wild Rubis look like it had horns from the rear.

The concept was 4.7m long, 1.95m wide and 1.59m tall with a 2.9m wheelbase.

Banzet did not discuss pricing or production volume for the new crossover, but it will be sold in China as part of Citroën’s DS sub-brand. It will be built at Citroën’s joint venture factory in Shenzen, China.

"We are about to begin production of the DS5 in Shenzhen, followed next year by a compact sedan and by the large crossover," Banzet said.

Source: Automotive News Europe