DS7 Crossback Spied In India Again; Possible Rival To BMW X1 & Audi Q3

• DS Automobiles is a luxury brand of PSA Groupe.

• PSA Groupe to start Indian innings with Citroen, who is already setting up processes for local manufacturing.

• DS7 Crossback is based on the same platform as C5 Aircross (first product) which is confirmed to arrive in India in 2020.

• DS7 Crossback is likely to get the same petrol and diesel engine options as well.

• DS7 Crossback luxury midsize SUV could be priced around Rs 40 lakh.

French automotive conglomerate PSA (Peugeot Société Anonyme) Groupe is in the process of setting up shop in India. While Citroen will be the first brand they launch here, it might be followed by DS Automobiles’ DS7 Crossback luxury SUV that has been spied testing in India again.

The recently spotted DS7 is based on the same platform as the Citroen C5 Aircross which is expected to be launched in India first by 2020. Even though DS Automobiles isn’t among the expected brands to launch in India, the DS7 Crossback suggests that PSA Groupe may decide to enter the luxury segment in India as well.

In European markets, the DS7 Crossback is available with both petrol and diesel engines along with a new plug-in hybrid variant.

The DS7 Crossback comes feature-loaded, boasting a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment, leather upholstery, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The top variants in the European market offer a 360-degree parking camera and panoramic sunroof as well. 

If introduced in India, DS is likely to offer it with the 2.0-litre diesel (180hp/400Nm) and 1.6-litre petrol (181hp/250Nm), both with the 8-speed automatic transmission. The Citroen C5 Aircross is likely to be offered with the same engine options. 

PSA Groupe will be locally manufacturing models and engines in India but since the C5 will be a CKD, the DS7 Crossback is likely to be brought in via the same route. PSA Groupe did however mention that it is aiming for 95 per cent localisation when competing in the Indian automotive market.

If PSA Groupe do introduce the DS7 Crossback in India, it would likely have a starting price of around Rs 40 lakh. In a segment that’s dominated by Germans like the Audi Q3, the Mercedes-Benz GLA and the BMW X1 (and the lone Swede Volvo XC40), the DS7’s French sophistication should come across as a breath of fresh air.

Source: cardekho.com