Paris motor show: Citroen sub-brand DS rolls out its latest crossover with electric promise

French car firm Citroen’s sub-brand DS is busy expanding its range, while still trying to gain some traction in the ultra-competitive premium sector.

Up against the German big guns like Audi, BMW and Mercedes, it has its work cut out, but it's growing portfolio of models have strong potential.

The latest additions are two SUV crossovers, the DS7 Crossback and the smaller DS3 Crossback, revealed at the Paris motor show on Tuesday. A spokesman told The Irish Times that its new DS3 will target recent arrivals like the Audi Q2. It certainly has the funky looks and styling.

Arriving in markets next Spring with petrol and diesel engines, it will also be the first model to come with the company's new electric powertrain. Offering an official range of 320kms on a single charge, the electric version will be introduced to the market towards the end of next year. The underpinnings for the electric DS3 will then be used for future models from Citroen, Peugeot and Opel, all members of the PSA car group.

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Keyless motoring app

A new smartphone app will also allow you to open and start the car via your phone, and you will also be able to share permission to access and drive the car with up to five people simply by granting them permission to access the car via their own smartphones.

PSA expects to have 35 per cent of its fleet either fully electric or hybrid by 2025, and says that plans to introduce more stringent emissions regulations on car firms will be met by the company, although they warn the costs of such measures will have to be shared with customers and may mean car prices will rise.