Citroen confirms DS range; C3 and Pluriel to be discontinued

Citroen has confirmed plans to put their range of upmarket DS line of cars into production, starting with the DS3 which is slated to be launched at September's Frankfurt Motor Show. The DS4 and DS5 will follow suit in 2011. The cars will share some basic architecture with Citroen's mainstream range of cars, namely the C3, C4 and C5 respectively.

The DS3 3-door hatchback will be based on the DS Inside concept and may offer the concept's vinyl roof as an option. The DS4 however will be a 2+2 seater based on Citroen's C-Sportlounge Concept from 2005, which was a sort of MPV Coupe Crossover and described by Citroen designer Mark Lloyd as "a GT for the modern age".

The DS5 however, will be targeted at cars like the BMW X6, with prices undercutting the Germans. Based upon the Hypnos concept shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2008, it will offer a diesel-hybrid powerplant as one of its engine options, although the radical suicide doors are likely to be ditched.

Citroen also announced that the C3 will be discontinued this November, along with the Pluriel, which will not be replaced. The C2 might be replaced by a car inspired by the C-Cactus concept.