Category Archives: NEW CARS

NEW CARS

2026 DS N°4: French Luxury, Electrified and Sharpened

The French have always done things differently. From haute couture to high-speed trains, their creations tend to blur the line between art and engineering. DS Automobiles, the avant-garde offshoot of Stellantis, continues that tradition with the new DS N°4 — a premium compact hatchback that aims to stand toe-to-toe with the likes of the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, and BMW 1 Series, but with a decidedly Parisian flair.

And this time, the French aren’t just playing catch-up — they’re setting some new standards of their own.

Design: The DS Look, Evolved

From the moment you see it, the DS N°4 announces itself as something special. The brand’s signature drama is alive and well, now expressed through a new horizontal black grille and a striking light signature inspired by the DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE concept car. The illuminated DS logo sits proudly at the center, connecting beams of light that sweep from bumper to bumper — a bold move in a segment dominated by understated Teutonic minimalism.

All trims wear this new face, but the ÉTOILE versions elevate the look with DS MATRIX LED VISION headlamps, combining adaptive and directional lighting with just the right amount of design theater.

From the side, the N°4 cuts a purposeful stance — 4.4 meters long, 1.87 wide, and 1.49 high — with a taut silhouette, muscular haunches, and a floating black roofline. Large 19- or 20-inch wheels fill the arches, while chrome detailing outlines the glasshouse with precision. Around back, laser-engraved taillights with a “Dark Chrome” finish echo the brand’s jewelry-like attention to detail.

If an A3 is a tailored suit, the DS N°4 is a designer ensemble straight off the Champs-Élysées runway.

Inside: Where Paris Meets Tech

Step inside, and it’s immediately clear: DS continues to do interiors like no one else. From watchstrap-style Nappa leather to Clous de Paris metal inserts and pearl stitching, every surface feels as though it’s been touched by a craftsman, not a robot.

Depending on trim, materials range from DS Canvas and Alcantara® in the PALLAS and ÉTOILE trims to full Criollo Brown Nappa leather in the range-topping ÉTOILE Nappa Leather. Even the dashboard and door panels are richly upholstered — a reminder that DS still sees cars as tactile experiences, not just digital interfaces.

Yet, it’s not all about opulence. The DS N°4 backs up its artistry with practicality: up to 430 liters of cargo space (in hybrid form), clever storage, and plenty of rear legroom — something its German rivals often forget.

On the Road: Serenity with a Pulse

The DS N°4 doesn’t chase lap times. Instead, it focuses on what the French call le plaisir de conduire — the pleasure of driving. That means finely tuned suspension and chassis balance aimed at “dynamic serenity” rather than raw aggression.

Every version — from hybrid to full electric — is designed to blend comfort and precision, a trait that DS has refined since the days of the hydropneumatic DS of the 1950s. The result is a hatchback that glides over rough roads yet stays planted through fast sweepers.

The 100% electric E-TENSE model may be the most compelling. With 213 horsepower and 343 Nm of torque, it’s brisk enough for everyday fun while maintaining that trademark DS calm. Its 58.3 kWh battery delivers up to 450 km of WLTP range, and charging is quick — 20 to 80% in about 30 minutes at 120 kW DC.

Regenerative braking offers three levels, adjustable by paddles behind the wheel — a rare feature in this class and proof of DS’s engineering finesse.

The Powertrain Lineup: French Variety, Multiplied

Few compact cars offer this much drivetrain diversity. The DS N°4 comes in three flavors, all electrified:

  • HYBRID (145 hp): A self-charging setup pairing a 1.2-liter turbo triple with a 21 kW motor. Efficient and smooth, ideal for urban commuters.
  • PLUG-IN HYBRID (225 hp): A new 14.6 kWh battery grants up to 81 km of electric-only range, with a combined output of 225 hp and 360 Nm, sprinting to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds.
  • E-TENSE (100% Electric): 213 hp, 343 Nm, and 450 km of range, proving electric doesn’t mean emotionless.

DS even adds Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality to the E-TENSE, allowing owners to power laptops, camping gear, or even espresso machines — because of course the French would make sure you never travel without good coffee.

Tech: Smarter Than Your Average Hatch

Connectivity is another DS strong suit. The DS IRIS SYSTEM infotainment suite now integrates ChatGPT, turning voice control into actual conversation. Drivers can ask about world news, sports, or even dinner recommendations — “OK IRIS” brings the digital assistant to life.

Standard features include EV routing, battery preconditioning, remote e-controls, and over-the-air updates. The top-spec versions add an Extended Head-Up Display and adaptive cruise with DS DRIVE ASSIST, offering semi-autonomous capability.

Peace of Mind: DS SERENITY Warranty

In a rare show of confidence, DS backs every new model with the DS SERENITY warranty — up to 8 years or 160,000 km — covering even the infotainment system. The package includes 24/7 assistance across 47 countries and courtesy vehicles. It’s the kind of premium care you’d expect from a brand that calls its philosophy The Art of Travel.

Trims and Pricing

The lineup starts with the PALLAS, offering DS Canvas upholstery, adaptive cruise, LED lighting, and 19-inch wheels. Step up to ÉTOILE, and you get DS IRIS with ChatGPT, MATRIX LED lighting, power seats, and Alcantara® everywhere.

The JULES VERNE Collection brings a sense of adventure — blue and pearl Alcantara®, compass detailing, and exclusive black wheels with gold caps. Think of it as DS’s tribute to 19th-century explorers, only now electric and leather-scented.

French pricing (E-TENSE):

  • PALLAS: €46,990
  • ÉTOILE: €51,290
  • JULES VERNE: €49,190

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models follow similar trim logic, starting around €39,300 and stretching to €55,500 for the top-spec ÉTOILE Nappa Leather Plug-In Hybrid.

Verdict: A Premium Hatch with Personality

The DS N°4 doesn’t try to mimic the Germans — it challenges them differently. With its sculpted design, serene ride, and forward-thinking electrified lineup, it’s a refreshing alternative in a segment that’s often too serious for its own good.

It’s not for everyone — and that’s precisely the point. The DS N°4 is for those who believe driving should still feel special, even when it’s silent.

Source: Stellantis

NEW CARS

2026 Genesis GV60 Magma: The Dawn of a High-Performance Era

You can’t tiptoe your way into the world of performance. Genesis knows that. Which is why, instead of simply adding a sport badge and calling it a day, the Korean luxury brand has been hammering its first-ever performance model — the GV60 Magma — across some of the harshest environments on Earth. From the frozen lakes of Sweden to the sun-baked asphalt of California, Genesis has made one thing clear: its Magma division isn’t here to play catch-up. It’s here to compete.

Forged in Extremes

Genesis says the GV60 Magma has now completed the final stages of global testing, a process spanning four continents and a full spectrum of climates. Early prototypes were spotted deep in Arjeplog, Sweden, enduring subzero temperatures and icy test tracks — a baptism by frost meant to fine-tune chassis precision and traction control. From there, the Magma team swapped ice for inferno, bringing the car to California’s Proving Ground, where 110°F heat pushed the electric powertrain’s cooling systems, battery durability, and thermal management to their limits.

But the testing didn’t stop there. Engineers chased altitude and unpredictability in New Zealand’s Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground, running the GV60 through snow-covered mountain passes 1,500 meters above sea level. The goal: ensure unwavering stability and agility on surfaces where grip is a luxury, not a guarantee. Rounding off the world tour, Spain’s diverse road network provided the perfect final blend of highway cruising and technical backroads to validate everyday drivability.

The Final Proof

September saw the GV60 Magma return home for its last validation phase in Korea. Engineers drove from the Namyang R&D Center to Chuncheon before hitting the Inje Speedium Circuit, Genesis’ de facto performance lab. There, the Magma faced the ultimate synthesis of its development goals: powerful acceleration, razor-sharp handling, and refined comfort — all while maintaining the effortless elegance expected of the Genesis badge.

Urban traffic, sweeping mountain roads, and tight racetrack corners were all part of the test route. The mission? To prove that Genesis can blend luxury and athleticism without compromise.

A Decade in the Making

As Genesis approaches its 10th anniversary, the GV60 Magma isn’t just another performance variant — it’s a statement of intent. This is the brand’s first high-performance EV, and the first to carry the Magma badge, a new sub-brand aimed squarely at the world’s most sophisticated performance marques.

While Genesis is keeping performance specs under wraps for now, expect serious numbers. The Magma treatment is about more than raw power; it’s about delivering a holistic driving experience — the kind where acceleration feels as composed as it is quick, and cornering feels surgically precise yet refined.

Setting the Stage for the Future

Genesis’ entry into the high-performance segment mirrors the rise of AMG, M, and RS decades ago — but with an electric twist. The GV60 Magma represents both a technological and emotional milestone for the Korean automaker. It’s the first taste of what’s to come from the Magma program, which will likely extend across multiple models as Genesis seeks to define its own interpretation of performance luxury.

As the GV60 Magma readies for its global debut later this year, one thing’s certain: Genesis isn’t just chasing the competition — it’s redefining what high-performance luxury can feel like in the electric age.

Source: Genesis

NEW CARS

2026 Aston Martin DB12 S: Sharper, Louder, Meaner — the New Pinnacle of the Super Tourer

Aston Martin doesn’t do subtle when it comes to its “S” badge. In Gaydon’s dictionary, the letter stands for sharper steering, louder exhausts, and a little more everything. The new DB12 S is no exception — a harder-edged, more focused evolution of the brand’s already formidable “Super Tourer.”

The DB12 S takes the stunning DB12 launched in 2023 and turns the dial up to 12. Think of it as the British grand-touring equivalent of espresso with rocket fuel. The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, sourced from Mercedes-AMG but re-engineered by Aston Martin, now cranks out 700 PS (690 hp) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque — a modest 20-horsepower bump that feels anything but modest once the tach swings past 3000 rpm. Top speed rises to 202 mph, while the sprint to 60 mph drops to 3.4 seconds, thanks to faster gearshifts and a retuned launch control.

A V8 That Sings in Surround Sound

If the DB12’s soundtrack was a baritone, the DB12 S is a full orchestra. A new quad-pipe stainless-steel exhaust broadens the tone across the rev range, and an optional titanium system cranks volume by 1.5 decibels while shaving nearly 12 kilograms (26 pounds). The result is less GT whisper and more Le Mans thunder — the kind of noise that earns applause in tunnels and side-eye from neighbors.

Sharper Reflexes, Lighter Feet

Aston’s chassis engineers clearly spent late nights chasing agility. Revised geometry (camber, toe, and caster), a stiffer rear anti-roll bar, and fresh software for the Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers all conspire to make the DB12 S feel more keyed-in and confident at the limit. Steering calibration and the electronic rear differential have been refined for crisper turn-in and a more natural connection between throttle, tire, and driver.

And for the first time on a DB12, carbon-ceramic brakes come standard. The massive 410 mm front and 360 mm rear discs cut a whopping 27 kilograms (60 pounds) of unsprung mass. The payoff? Improved ride quality, better steering feedback, and fade-free stopping power even after a few laps of Silverstone.

Backing up the hardware is a suite of electronic wizardry: a new Corner Braking Control (CBC) system predicts grip levels while trail braking, distributing torque across the rear axle for stability and precision. In practice, that means later braking, tighter lines, and a sense that the car reads your mind before each corner.

Designed to Dominate the Boulevard — and the Autobahn

The DB12 S doesn’t just go harder; it looks the part. Up front, a dual-element splitter and functional bonnet louvres (available in gloss black or carbon fiber) lend the car an angrier stance while aiding cooling and downforce. Gloss-black side sills visually stretch the silhouette, while a fixed rear spoiler and a new diffuser housing stacked twin exhausts give the tail an extra hit of aggression.

Even the badging gets special treatment — a forged “S” emblem filled with red enamel, a nod to Aston’s 1953 DB3S racer, the car that started the brand’s “S” suffix tradition.

Inside: Couture Meets Cockpit

The DB12’s already exquisite interior takes on a racier tone. A red-anodized drive-mode selector anchors the center console and dictates accents throughout the cabin — from the seatbelts to the contrast stitching. Three trim environments are available:

  • Accelerate (leather and Alcantara)
  • Inspire S (semi-aniline leather and Alcantara)
  • Inspire S Full Leather, featuring intricate herringbone quilting and micro-perforations

Standard 16-way Sport Plus seats strike a sweet spot between GT comfort and circuit support, but hardcore types can opt for Carbon-Fiber Performance seats that look stolen straight from a Valkyrie.

Super Tourer, Super Sorted

Simon Newton, Aston’s Director of Vehicle Performance, puts it succinctly: “With DB12 S, we’ve amplified driver engagement without losing refinement.” Translation: it’s a grand tourer that still cossets on the motorway yet begs for more throttle and later braking on your favorite mountain road.

Available in both Coupe and Volante forms, the 2026 Aston Martin DB12 S is open for orders now, with first deliveries slated for early 2026. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but expect a healthy premium over the regular DB12’s six-figure tag — and every penny to feel worth it the first time you floor it through second gear.

Because if the DB12 was a gentleman in a tailored suit, the DB12 S is the same man — only with his cuffs rolled up, a wild grin, and a few more scars from late-night drives across the continent.

Source: Aston Martin