CITROEN'S new flagship model, the space-age styled DS5, will cost from £22,400 when it goes on sale in April.

With the premium German marques firmly in its sights, the French challenger arrives on the scene with eye-catching style.

It has sweeping lines including chrome sabres that run from the tips of the headlamps to the front windows, pronounced front air intakes, chrome grille, LED headlights and low side air inlets that Citroen describes as gills.

The rear boasts chrome-finished twin exhausts and light clusters, adding to its quirky stance.

Inside, the DS5 is inspired by the world of aviation, standout feature being the sweeping cockpit roof, which features pilot-style overhead switchgear.

And the large glass roof, divided into three areas, features individual electrically operated sunblinds, allowing passengers to control the amount of light entering the cabin both day and night.

A choice of four engines - petrol THP 200bhp, diesel eHDi 110 bhp, HDi 160bhp and the new 200 bhp diesel electric Hybrid4 - will be available from launch.

The latter automatically switches between the diesel engine and the electric motor to optimise fuel consumption - using the electric engine at speeds up to 40mph and can switch to four-wheel drive and both power sources for muddy conditions or snow.

All power plants are mated to either manual, automatic or Citroen's electronic EGS six-speed gearboxes.

The company says the Hybrid, which will be exempt from road tax, will make up around 10 per cent of sales, though the most popular model is forecast to be the HDi 160 DStyle manual which will cost £25,900.

Prices are from £22,400 for the DS5 e-HDi 110 Airdream DSign model rising to £32,200 for the Hybrid4 200 Airdream DSport.