Citroen DS4 and DS5 coming in 2011

The French automaker Citroen has unveiled a new concept car named after its legendary DS, called the compact DS Inside, which was first displayed back in March at the Geneva Motor Show. The DS3 supermini, along with the DS4 and DS5 form the basis for the new line of upmarket cars.

The first coming will be DS3, we reported formally that it will be unveiled at this September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. As for the DS4 and DS5 models, Citroen has confirmed that these will be available in 2011 and will be offered with a diesel-electric hybrid option.

As their names suggest, the cars will share some basic architecture with their C3, C4 and C5 siblings respectively. However, the three-door DS3 is based of the DS Inside concept and some of the latter's features like a vinyl roof option may be offered. The 2+2-seater DS4 will borrow elements from 2005’s C-Sportlounge concept. It is being described by Citroen designer Mark Lloyd as "a GT for the modern age". The C-Sportlounge was a sort of MPV coupe with some crossover appeal.

As for the DS5, that model could go after people looking for something like a BMW X6 but at a lesser price tag. Based on the Hypnos Concept of Paris 2008, the DS5 will use a diesel-hybrid engine as part of its powertrain offering. Although it will ditch the Hypnos' rear suicide doors it will still be radical in its own right.

All in all, the smaller DS4 will be aimed at the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Peugeot 3008 in Europe, while the DS5 will take on bigger and more premium crossovers like BMW’s X6.

Meanwhile Citroen says that production of the current C3 will end in November. At the same time the Pluriel will cease production as well but will not get a replacement model. Neither will the C2 for that matter, although a car inspired by the C-Cactus Concept could possibly replace it.