Citroen has stopped flirting and started flaunting its new DS5 as the covers come off its new model for the first time at the Shanghai motor show.
The DS5 is based on the C5 but comes with a rear hatch to give more of a crossover look. Production cars will come with alloy wheels from 16- to 19-inches in size, while "sabre" lines run from the headlights into the front windows as part of the "flow" design style.
To attract the premium buyers Citroen wants for the DS5 the car will come with a cabin built around the driver and swathed in leather trim. A head-up display will be used, along with switches mounted in the roof to give an aircraft cockpit feel to the interior.
The boot of the Citroen DS5 will offer 465 litres of space, which is not as generous as the best in the family car class. However, Citroen is aiming the DS5 at those buyers who place style above practicality.
Sales of the DS5 will start in Ireland in 2012, but Citroen has already confirmed that the car will come with a 165hp turbodiesel engine and 38hp electric motor for its HYbrid4 model. The DS5 will be able to run on electricity alone at town speeds and Citroen predicts the car will produce just 99g/km of carbon dioxide emissions.