Sounding like a much sportier car than it will ever be, Citroen’s first DS-branded model, the new 5LS, is a bold and brash sedan with a weird face, sleek lines and distinct Alfa Romeo proportions at the back, plus a chrome strip running the length of the car (again, though this time it’s thinner).

It measures 4,700mm in length, 1,840mm in width, and 1,500mm in height, and it will be aimed specifically at the Chinese market; production will exclusively take place locally, in Shenzen.

Its interior is in the vein of the other larger DS models, and from the sole photo we have of it, it looks okay. The funky watch-strap seats like those of the DS5 will be present too, even if we don’t see them yet.

The big talking point will probably be the front-end design, which is said to hark back to the original DS, though, I honestly don’t see it. The plan is to make this the new face of the sub-brand.

Power will come from PSA’s turbocharged 1.6-liter petrol engine with either 158hp (160PS) or 197 hp (200PS) and will be sent to the front wheels exclusively via a six-speed automatic transmission.

It goes on sale in China in March of 2014 and will be available through a 50-strong dealer network around the country. Citroen didn’t say if or when it will offer the car outside of China.

By Andrei Nedelea

Live pictures via Autohome

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