The last time we heard anything about
the DS3 Crossback was in January when a heavily-camouflaged prototype was
spotted undergoing winter testing in Sweden. Even then, we could see that the
car featured a large grille, high-mounted headlights and an overall very
compact design, all of which are even more evident in this latest batch of spy
images, captured in traffic.
To recap, the DS3 Crossback is the
French automaker’s Audi Q2 and Mini Countryman rival, boasting an appropriate
five-door hatchback form factor. Technically, it sits on the same CMP platform
that’s slated to underpin the next-gen Peugeot 208, which again points to this
being a small car, despite the crossover-inspired styling.
Word has it that an electrified version
will also arrive sometime in the future, based on the e-CMP architecture. It’s
said to use a small electric motor that produces 113 HP, working
together with a 50 kWh battery, resulting in a range of up to 450 km on a single charge.
Even though the interior of this DS3
Crossback prototype is very well covered up, we can still make out the
tablet-style infotainment display, somewhat similar to the one in the C4
Cactus. We can also spot a rhombus-shaped switchgear area, unlike anything previously
seen on other DS models.
As for the steering wheel, it seems to
have a sporty, flat-bottom design, which was to be expected – it’s sort of a DS
trademark by now. We expect the DS3 Crossback to be unveiled in either late
2018, or sometime next year, when it should also make its way into DS
dealerships.
