Citroen could launch a DS SUV following a preview of its Wild Rubis concept car at the Shanghai Motor Show.

It has been hinted that a production version will go on sale in China first in 2014 and it could come to the UK to help Citroen battle prestige rivals from Volkswagen, BMW and Audi.

The hybrid concept features a 31 mile range in electric mode, has a power output of 225bhp from the 1.6-litre THP petrol and tailpipe emissions of 43g/km CO2. The 70bhp electric motor is powered by lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged from a domestic socket.

When the driver accelerates hard, a boost function combines the torque of the internal combustion engine with that of the electric motor.

The new model also shows off Citroen's new lighting technology, elements of which are likely to filter down to DS models in the future.