Citroen Numero 9 concept

The Citroen DS range has a bold new flagship, Numero 9. We revealed spy shots last month, but Citroen has now unveiled the car at the Beijing Motor Show.

Officially the Numero 9 is still a concept, but Citroen has confirmed that it previews one of three new DS models, including a small saloon and an SUV initially aimed at the Chinese market.

Video: Watch the official promo for the Numero 9 concept

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Following the stunning DS5 was always going to be a tough task for Citroen’s designers, but the DS9 adopts an even more striking elongated shooting brake bodystyle. At the front, the wide grille flows into LED headlights, while a wafer-thin roof spoiler and turbine alloys add style and improve aerodynamic efficiency.

Although the new model will attempt to lure buyers away from the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series, its proportions are unique. At 4.9 metres, it’s the same length as a Porsche Panamera, but wider and much lower, with a longer wheelbase.

Under the skin is an advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain capable of returning 166mpg and with CO2 emissions of 39g/km. It uses a 225bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine to drive the front wheels and a 70bhp electric motor, fuelled by a lithium-ion battery pack, for the rears.

Citroen has said the petrol engine is interchangeable with a diesel, stirring speculation that a UK version is on the way.

Charging the batteries takes 3.5 hours from a standard socket, giving an electric-only range of more than 30 miles. A boost function allows the petrol engine and electric motor to work together to their maximum potential, producing a total of 295bhp, and taking the car from 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds.