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Previewed ahead of its Paris Motor Show debut next month, this is the Citroen Divine DS Concept. Totally bizarre, yet pretty, isn't it? But don't hope on it reaching production anytime soon, though, as this is more of a hint of the sub-brand's future design direction rather than a teaser of an upcoming new model.

As an early pointer at future DS models, this one's pretty distinctive. The five-door hatch wears a bold face with a big gaping grille flanked by slim, intricately detailed headlights. The Mercedes-Benz A 250 Sport's once-idolised diamond grille has nothing on this extravagant centrepiece.

The sloping back end, meanwhile, makes do without a traditional rear window. There's a rear view camera linked to a digital "mirror" instead. Sharp fractal-like elements take shape on the car's roof, and continue towards the squat rear end. There's more than a hint of the Volkswagen Scirocco to this car's shape.

Its 4,210 mm length puts it squarely in the C-segment hatchback ballgame, but it's significantly wider (by 170 mm) and lower (180 mm) than the current pseudo-crossover Citroen DS4. If the DS brand is planning on making a sporty hot-hatch cum coupe in the future, this would be as good a start as any.

This left-field approach to exterior design is matched to an otherworldly cabin too. It takes the DS5's unorthodox dashboard layout to yet a different level of eccentricity. Imagined together with jeweller Swarovski and Maison Lesage, three dramatic interior finishes are showcased in the strict four-seat cabin.

Other than quick hints that it has the Peugeot RCZ R's 270 hp 1.6 litre turbocharged engine powering the front wheels, no other detail has been released so far. But as the Citroen Divine DS concept is really more about show than go in the first place, you can't really hold that against anybody.