In an interview with the trade journal Automotive News China confirms Gregoire Olivier, board member of the PSA Peugeot Citroen with a special responsibility to model and strategy, the concept Metropolis series is produced. Metropolis, which likely will be renamed to DS9, is one of the more premium models such as PSA Peugeot Citroen is planning for the Chinese market.Even if the luxury car market is still not large compared to the U.S. and Europe, it has a growth rate that allows the development curve points to very high numbers at the end of the decade. The car makers want to sell many “luxury” must therefore be present in China and have models that are tailored for the Chinese taste. While PSA Peugeot Citroen is well aware of this and you will not let the German colleagues to be alone on this lucrative market.
The cooperation between PSA and Changan Automobile Group will result in a group of premium models in which the Metropolis, or DS9, is one of the cars:“The same design components to be used for a top model from Citroen to be developed in China,” said Gregoire Olivier to Automotive News China. However, he mentioned nothing about when this model would be ready and if it also is relevant for the European market.
Metropolis is the first concept car developed by the PSA’s own design studio in Shanghai and it was at the inauguration of the World Expo in the spring as it was unveiled. Citroën has not revealed all the details but the powertrain will consist of a two-liter gasoline V6 that provides 275 hp and 375 Nm, which indicates that Citroën makes use of turbocharging.
The transmission is a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. V6 driving the front wheels, while an electric motor at 40 kW/55 hp (quick “boost” effect 95 horses) drives the rear wheels. The system allows engines to work separately or together. Metropolis can run a few mil in city traffic completely emission free.
