DS 9 is France's flagship sedan

PSA Group has a luxury brand, DS, which borrows its name from the iconic 1955 Citroën DS.

And a true luxury brand needs a worthy flagship, and here it is - the DS 9. The new midsize sedan was unveiled on Monday ahead of its world debut at the Geneva International Motor Show next week. Its arrival marks the 65th anniversary of the launch of the Citroën DS, the iconic sedan that became the name and inspiration for the DS brand.

The DS 9 continues the stylistic theme of the current DS lineup with a hexagonal grille at the front and plenty of chrome accents. As an homage to the original Citroën DS, the DS 9 also features high-mounted lights on the rear window.

The DS 9 is based on a new version of PSA Group's EMP2 modular platform, which is used in the Peugeot 508 sedan. The new version has a longer wheelbase, allowing for more space for rear seat passengers. Citroen's new sedan is also expected to be built on this platform, and Opel's next Insignia could also go on this platform, as the German brand is part of the PSA Group.

The DS 9's interior design is uncluttered, with most functions controlled by the steering wheel, a large infotainment screen on the center pillar, and crystal-shaped touch buttons. The dashboard is covered in leather, and many other surfaces are covered in alcantara. Technology equipment includes a number of electronic driver assistance systems and the Active Scan Suspension system, in which a camera monitors the road ahead and adjusts suspension damping.

At launch, the DS 9 will be offered only with a 225 hp plug-in hybrid powertrain combining a turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission on the front axle. Two more hybrid powertrains will be offered at a later date, including a high-output one with an additional electric motor on the rear axle for hybrid all-wheel drive and a total output of 360 hp. With a standard 11.9 kWh battery, owners can expect an electric range of about 30 miles.

The DS 9 will go into production at a factory in China later this year and will be exported to countries where DS operates. Pricing is expected to be in line with alternatives such as the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The DS is a key weapon for PSA Group CEO Carlos Tavares to increase profits due to the high margins of its premium models. He has stated that DS will eventually become a global brand, however Peugeot is currently the only PSA Group brand to enter the US market. The official release date remains 2026, but it could come within the next three to four years.

The Geneva Motor Show opens on March 3. More information about other cars that will be presented at the Swiss show can be found on a specialized website.