Tag Archives: DS Automobiles

News

750 km On a Single Charge: DS N°8 Redefines the Art of Travel

There’s something inherently romantic about the French approach to travel. Not the sort that involves cramped budget flights or motorway service sandwiches, but the elegant, unhurried sort — the Art of Travel, as DS Automobiles likes to call it. And with the new DS N°8, the brand wants to prove that range anxiety can finally be filed under “obsolete technology,” right next to dial-up modems and diesel hatchbacks.

So, what happens when you point an electric luxury saloon from Paris towards the Atlantic coast — and deliberately avoid the autoroutes? You get a journey that sounds like a postcard and reads like a manifesto.

Two DS N°8 Étoile FWD Long Range prototypes set off from Vélizy, home of the DS Design Studio, bound for Biscarrosse — a charming seaside town known for its pine forests and lakes. The catch? They weren’t allowed to plug in along the way. No DC chargers, no coffee-stop top-ups. Just 750 kilometres of real French countryside, national roads, and small-town roundabouts.

And when they arrived? Each car still had over 50 kilometres of range left in the tank — or rather, in the 97.2 kWh battery, built by Automotive Cells Company in Billy-Berclau. That’s a total theoretical range of 800 kilometres.

Let that sink in. Eight hundred kilometres. From an electric car.

Real Roads, Real Results

This wasn’t a cherry-picked lab test at 23°C and feather-light throttle inputs. The DS team drove through Beauce and Sologne, skirted Poitiers and Angoulême, then brushed past Bordeaux before finally rolling into Les Landes. The weather swung from a crisp 12°C morning to a mild 19°C afternoon, and the average speed was a distinctly human 54 km/h — traffic lights, tractors, and all.

Despite those less-than-ideal conditions, the DS N°8 averaged just 11.7 kWh/100 km, outclassing even its own WLTP rating of 12.9. It’s the kind of number that’d make a Tesla engineer raise an eyebrow and an Audi exec quietly weep into his spreadsheets.

The French Touch

The magic lies in the numbers — and the nationalism. The battery is French. The electric motor, built in Trémery. The design, of course, conceived in Paris. Together, they form a technological ecosystem that DS hopes will re-establish French engineering as a world benchmark. The 97.2 kWh pack’s energy density of 264 Wh/kg puts it right among the elite of the EV world — without the exotic price tag or Silicon Valley smugness.

And while the tech is serious, the experience remains distinctly DS: poised, refined, and quietly charismatic. With a drag coefficient of 0.24, the N°8 slices through the air with aerodynamic grace, while the interior promises the kind of hushed, jewel-like atmosphere you’d expect from a Parisian atelier.

A Game-Changer, or Just a Gentle Revolution?

DS CEO Xavier Peugeot puts it bluntly: “It’s no longer the battery that requires you to stop for charging.” It’s a bold statement — one that turns the EV narrative on its head. The DS N°8 doesn’t want to be a car you plan trips around; it wants to be a car you just drive.

In the real world, that means cross-country jaunts without range planning spreadsheets, spontaneous detours without the dreaded “Battery Low” warning, and maybe — just maybe — the rebirth of the grand European road trip, this time with zero tailpipe guilt.

So yes, the DS N°8 is more than just another electric saloon. It’s a rolling argument that luxury in the EV era isn’t about acceleration figures or touchscreen acreage — it’s about freedom. And in that sense, this French contender might just be the most liberté, égalité, mobilité car on sale.

Source: Stellantis

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

News

DS N°8: The French Go Too Far – And Thank God They Do

There’s a very French kind of arrogance. Not the nose-in-the-air, “my wine is better than yours” type, but the kind that turns excess into art. More foie gras, more flair, more fabric on that Dior gown than seems strictly necessary. And now, according to DS Automobiles, more range than you’d think possible from an electric SUV. Enter the new DS N°8: 750 kilometres of battery-powered “art de voyager,” wrapped in a campaign that’s as much about attitude as it is about engineering.

This isn’t your usual dreary EV launch where men in navy suits mumble about kilowatts and charging infrastructure. DS, being DS, has staged a full-blown cinematic odyssey. Director Henry Scholfield sends the N°8 gliding from Paris to the Med without charging once, accompanied by an electro soundtrack from Guillaume Alric (a.k.a. Enfant Sauvage of The Blaze). The result? A rolling slice of French poetry, with just enough tongue-in-cheek humour to keep it from collapsing under its own pretension.

CEO Xavier Peugeot (yes, that Peugeot, but not that Peugeot) calls it a “new tone” for the brand – modern, offbeat, a touch poetic. Translation: DS has finally realised the way to stand out in the German-dominated premium jungle isn’t to out-Audi Audi, but to lean hard into Frenchness. And they’re doubling down on the idea that sometimes the French “go too far.” Gastronomy, fashion, electric range – all fair game for exaggeration.

The Car Itself

The DS N°8 is more than marketing spin, though. Underneath the glossy cinematography, there’s a very serious EV. It hides a 97.2 kWh battery built in France, good for up to 750 km on the WLTP cycle. Add 350 horsepower, four-wheel drive, and aerodynamics honed like a fencer’s épée, and suddenly that Paris-to-Marseille jaunt doesn’t sound so implausible.

Inside, it’s classic DS: where every stitch looks like it took three months of debate at a Left Bank café. Think advanced tech layered with handcrafted details, feather-light buttons, and materials that seem allergic to anything remotely ordinary. Comfort, as always, is the brand’s weapon of choice – more lounge than cockpit, designed for voyage rather than lap times.

The Big Picture

The campaign isn’t just about selling cars. It’s DS Automobiles planting a flag in the shifting sands of premium EVs. While Germany still obsesses over efficiency and Tesla continues its Silicon Valley sermon, DS is trying to convince the world that electric travel can be sensual, stylish, even a little bit excessive. And you know what? In a market where most EVs are about as exciting as a dishwasher, that feels refreshing.

Yes, DS N°8 may be a little much. But if you’re going to survive in the shadow of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes, “a little much” might be exactly what the French need.

Source: Stellantis