DS7 Crossback Caught Testing In India Again; Could Launch Next Year

DS7 Crossback Caught Testing In India 1

DS7 Crossback is expected to rival Jeep Compass and Hyundai Tucson; launch likely next year following BSVI implementation

The Indian automobile market will witness two new global brands entering this year as Kia and MG Motor are planning to grab a sizeable pie in the segments they will compete in. Another international carmaker waiting in the horizon to make an impact in India is Groupe PSA that has top-notch brands such as Citroen, Peugeot, Vauxhall and DS under its belt.

The second largest car manufacturer in Europe signed two Joint Venture deals with CK Birla Group back in January 2017 to produce and sell cars in India most likely by 2020 with initial investment of more than 100 million euros for setting up powertrain and assembly lines in Tamil Nadu. Groupe PSA owns major stake in the JV.

India is an integral part of the conglomerate’s emerging market Smart Car strategy and it had also acquired the legendary Ambassador nameplate from Hindustan Motors for Rs. 80 crore. Reports suggest that annual production of one lakh units is initially targetted as the vehicles will endure high localisation.

DS7 Crossback Caught Testing In India

Completed within a couple of years, the Hosur plant was inaugurated in November 2018 with capacity of three lakh units per year for transmission and two lakhs for BSVI compliant powertrains. It is yet unknown which brand will first make its way into India, let alone the product but rumours indicate a premium SUV.

The Peugeot 208 hatchback, 2008 and 3008 SUVs have already been spied testing in India and several speculations indicate that either the 3008 or the Citroen C5 Aircross could be part of the initial lineup. However, in recent months, the DS7 Crossback had been making headlines as it was caught running trials on Indian roads.

DS7 Crossback Caught Testing In India 2

Here we present the clearest pictures of the unique DS7 Crossback without any camouflage and straight away we can say that it has the potential to compete against Jeep Compass.    DS Automobiles is a standalone premium carmaker within the PSA Group since 2015 after acting as a performance wing for Citroen.

The DS7 Crossback sits on the EMP-2 architecture that also underpins the C5 Aircross. It may have been used to just test the platform as Citroen is a more formidable brand than the DS across the globe. The premium crossover is sold in 1.2-litre and 1.6-litre PureTech petrol engines as well as 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre BlueHDI diesel mills in the global markets with six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmission choices.

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Whether Groupe PSA is aiming for a multi-brand assault or not is waited to be seen. The DS7 Crossback could be launched in India in the second half of next year following BSVI implementation or in early parts of 2021.