Frankfurt show: Citroen's DS4 goes crossover

CITROEN'S facelifted DS4 hatch has been uncovered ahead of a Frankfurt motor show debut later this month, with a new higher-riding crossover version dubbed Crossback now part of the line-up.

In Crossback guise, the updated DS4 offers a ride height that is 30mm taller than the regular hatch, and features crossover styling cues such as grey roof rails, as well as incorporating a black theme for the wheel arch trim, front and rear spoiler, external mirrors, door sills and carpet mats.

Citroen's premium sub-brand DS will launch the refreshed range in Europe later this year, and while Australian timing is yet to be confirmed, it will likely lob in local Citroen dealerships in the first half of next year.

Also unclear is whether both the regular hatch and the Crossback will make it Down Under, or whether the French brand's local importer Sime Darby Motors will offer just one body style.

Citroen Australia PR and communications manager Tyson Bowen told GoAuto that the Crossback version could be a good fit for Australia's SUV and crossover-obsessed market, but that it was yet to be confirmed.

“The Crossback would be an interesting proposition for Australia and would certainly fit with our burgeoning and buoyant SUV market,” he said. “We are currently in discussions with PSA (Peugeot Citroen) as to whether we would be able to secure the car locally.”

If the Crossback gets the go-ahead for an Aussie launch, it could compete with premium SUVs and crossovers such as the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, as well as more mainstream fare such as the Volkswagen Tiguan and Honda HR-V.

In Citroen's own stable, the C4 Cactus will arrive in the first quarter of 2016, and is expected to be priced from about $25,000 to $30,000.

The French brand's customisation program, already seen on the smaller DS3 Hatch and Cabrio, has been expanded to include the standard DS4 hatch, which will be available with a two-tone paint job offering up to 38 different combinations of roof and body colour.

Roof colours include Perla Nera black, Whisper, Virtuel blue and Tourmaline orange, while there are four new body colours on offer, including Encre blue, Tourmaline orange, Artense grey and Rubis red.

Both variants score visual changes recently seen on the facelifted DS5 revealed at this year's Geneva motor show, which the car-maker says were “directly inspired” by the Numero 9 concept from the 2012 Beijing show.

Those changes include the vertical grille with the DS logo, hexagonal shapes and a chrome surround, with two chrome “wings” in the headlights, while the DS4 carries the company's new headlight design with three LED modules making up 84 in total, a directional module and LED scrolling directional indicators.

Six powertrains will be offered in European markets – three petrol and three diesel – starting with the PureTech 130 producing 96kW (up nine per cent) and 230Nm (up 44 per cent), while consuming 21 per cent less fuel in six-speed manual guise at 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres.

A 121kW/240Nm petrol engine with idle stop and a six-speed auto sips 5.5L/100km, which is a 29 per cent improvement, while a 155kW/285Nm version drinks 5.9L/100km.

PSA's BlueHDi diesel engines also feature and range in fuel use from 3.7L/100km to 4.3L/100km, depending on output, which is not specified.

In Australia, the existing DS4 range is offered in one 120kW/340Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel variant in DSport guise from $40,490, plus on-road costs.