DS 3 Crossback leaks out early

Less than a day before it was to be officially unveiled, the first official images of the new DS3 Crossback have found their way onto the internet. The images reveal both an engine-powered [teal] and electric [silver] version.

The aggressive face uses DS’s signature grille in the largest size that could fit between the sculpted bonnet and the functional cooling intake below, with organic-looking LED headlight clusters and curving DRLs dropping down from them.

The bodyside puts the DS3 hatchback’s ‘sharkfin’ graphic between the front and rear doors (not something they’ve had to consider before, as the hatchback is three-door only), while a hockey stick-style light-catcher sits near the sill at an interesting angle.

The rear end is more restrained, with a softer take on the bigger DS 7 Crossback’s chrome framed and linked tail light design, and only two fake vents – one at either edge.

The engine-powered version makes itself known with two canon-like exhaust tailpipe finishers (no doubt totally necessary for what is likely to be small-displacement three- and four-cylinder engines…) while the ‘E-Tense’ electric version’s rear apron is tidied up and given silver-painted details in the absence of any tailpipes.

The interior is as bold as the exterior, with diamond-stitched leather available on the seats and dashboard – although another image shows it with DS’s ‘wristwatch linkage’ pattern on the seats, and either suede or marbled-looking leather on the dash. The armrest in each door terminates in a large square-framed air vent.

The media and HVAC buttons, below a landscape screen, are arranged into diamonds, surrounding equally rhomboid central air vents, while the centre console controls are deep silver-painted switches flanking the auto gearbox lever.

DS will reveal more details in a live stream later today, before showing the car itself at the Paris Motor Show early next month. Until then, there are more photos (and patent images) in the gallery.