Citroen DS 5LS R concept revealed ahead of Beijing show

Citroen has added another model to its growing high-performance DS Racing family. Following on from the DS3 Cabrio concept and the DS4 Racing concept, this is the DS 5LS R, a fast front-wheel drive compact saloon in the mould of the Audi S3 Saloon. At the heart of the concept is PSA’s familiar 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, already fitted to the 270bhp Peugeot RCZ-R, although here there’s another 30bhp for a total of 300bhp and 400Nm of torque. That’s a higher specific out put than the 355bhp 2.0-litre turbo in the Mercedes A45 AMG. Tweaks to the chassis include suspension lowered by 15mm, widened front tracks and a rally-style sequential gearbox controlled by paddles behind the wheel. Bigger brakes, firmer suspension and a raft of carbon-fibre body parts all help to improve the handling.

Finished in the trademark DS colour of matt metallic Carmine Red, the DS 5LS R also features carbon-coloured stripes on the doors, 20-inch alloys and a ‘DS wings’ grille that merges into the headlights. Inside the watchstrap seats covers are finished in a trio of different leathers, while the carbon and Carmine Red colour scheme continues.   As the DS 5LS is only sold in China, the new concept will make its debut at the Beijing show later this month, but as the DS4 Racing concept proved a show car is no guarantee of a production model. If it does make showrooms though, the DS 5LS is unlikely to ever be sold in the UK.