Citroen Is Once Again Going After Audi And BMW, This Time With A New Flagship Sedan For China

Citroen will take yet another swing at the premium segment with a new four-door model. Aimed at the Chinese car market, it’s expected to launch before the end of next year, likely as the successor of the second-gen C6, which has been around since late 2016 in the People’s Republic.

So, why limit it to China and not launch it globally? Because sedans still outsell SUVs in the People’s Republic. As for the basics of the model, Autocar reports that it will be based on the EMP2 platform, which will tie it to the Peugeot 508 and new DS 9.

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In terms of power, it’s expected with regular combustion engines and a plug-in hybrid that will give it a zero-emission driving range of around 40 miles (64 km). A full-blown electric version has been ruled out for launch, even if the architecture could support such a powertrain, but could be added at some point given China’s appetite for EVs. More importantly though, it will have a magic carpet ride made possible by the Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension set-up.

The design of the vehicle is said to be in the process of being finalized, as it needs to be adapted to the local market, where the looks of the front end of a vehicle “must deliver the right status, presence, reassurance that you made the right choice”, according to the French firm’s CEO, Vincent Cobee.

2016 Citroen CXPerience Concept

“Plus, safety regulations, road conditions, engine size and fuel are different. There will be a number of things related to suspension tuning, powertrain choices, color and material and overall delivery of the car that vary”, he added. “The different versions will use the same platform and silhouette, but there are a number of dimensions where you can adapt expectations.”

Citroen’s new flagship sedan could be inspired by the 2016 CXperience Concept, which was presented at the Paris Auto Show, came with an electrified gasoline engine and had a 37-mile (60-km) electric range.

Note: Citroen CXPerience Concept pictured above