DS Automobiles is leaning hard into its Formula E pedigree, and for 2026 the payoff comes in the form of a new, France-market Limited Edition DS PERFORMANCE Line. Available across the DS 3, the all-new N°4, and the flagship DS 7, this trim is designed to bring motorsport-inspired styling and tech to the road without forcing buyers into the uppermost luxury brackets. Think of it as DS’s way of letting everyday drivers dip a toe into its electric racing DNA—minus the noise, plus the polish.
Beginning December 1, customers in France can place orders, with showroom displays and test drives scheduled for January 2026. And while the brand talks a lot about elegance, materials, and craftsmanship—this is DS, after all—the PERFORMANCE Line also quietly adds more standard kit than the already well-equipped Pallas spec.
Formula E Comes to the Street
The guiding theme is straight from the DS E-TENSE FE25 Formula E car: satin gold accents, gloss-black details, Alcantara everywhere, and an overall vibe that says “quietly quick.” Xavier Peugeot, CEO of DS Automobiles, describes the series as a way to bring “refinement and passion from the circuits to the road.” Fortunately, the cars avoid looking like rolling billboards; instead, they pick up tasteful references—badges, trim pieces, stitching—that reward a second glance.
Tech also gets a meaningful boost. DS continues to lean on its partnership with ChatGPT, first introduced in early 2024. Now integrated deeper into the DS IRIS infotainment system, it gains a “Latest News” feature capable of summarizing current events, sports, culture, and more with natural speech. The feature arrives in December on all DS 3, N°4, and DS 7 models that already support natural voice recognition.
Three Models, One Motorsport Identity
All three PERFORMANCE Line vehicles share similar finishing cues, but each expresses them differently depending on the body style and target audience.
DS 3 PERFORMANCE Line: Compact but Confident
The smallest model in the lineup gets one of the boldest appearances. The rear pillar carries a black-and-gold graphic inspired directly by DS’s Formula E livery, while satin gold touches—mirror caps, grille badge, tailgate lettering—contrast with the standard black roof. It’s subtle but effective.
Inside, Alcantara wraps the seats, dash, and door panels, paired with exclusive stitching and a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror. Standard equipment includes heated seats, 360-degree vision, blind-spot monitoring, and distinctive 17-inch OSLO wheels with gold center caps.
Powertrains:
- 100% Electric E-TENSE
- HYBRID 145
France Pricing:
- HYBRID 145: €37,350
- E-TENSE electric: €43,200
- HYBRID lease: from €355/month (48 months / 40,000 km)
N°4 PERFORMANCE Line: A Stylish New Contender
The new N°4 stands out even before the PERFORMANCE Line treatment, thanks to its sharp front lighting signature inspired by the DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE concept. Add the satin gold accents and Formula E-style rear pillar trim, and it becomes one of the more aggressive hatchbacks in its class—without sacrificing the upscale attitude DS is known for.
DS loads this trim with tech: the IRIS system with AI voice assistant, three years of connected services, EV routing for the electric version, acoustic privacy glass, and a choice of 19-inch wheel designs depending on powertrain. A full Alcantara interior is standard.
Powertrains:
- 100% Electric E-TENSE (213 hp, up to 450 km WLTP)
- HYBRID
- PLUG-IN HYBRID 225
- BlueHDi Diesel
France Pricing:
- HYBRID 145: €40,100
- BlueHDi 130 Auto: €41,700
- E-TENSE electric: €48,190
- PLUG-IN HYBRID 225: €49,000
- HYBRID lease: from €395/month (36 months / 30,000 km)
DS 7 PERFORMANCE Line: The Luxury SUV With an Edge
The DS 7 has always leaned toward elegance over aggression, but the PERFORMANCE Line trim adds just enough motorsport flavor to toughen its stance. Satin-gold “7” badging, black grille with gold DS emblem, satin-gold mirrors, and black 19-inch SILVERSTONE wheels distinguish it from mainstream premium SUVs.
Its interior remains one of the highlights of the DS lineup—quiet, plush, and tastefully detailed. Standard kit includes DS Drive Assist, 360 Vision, hands-free power tailgate, wireless charging, and PERFORMANCE Line dashboard branding.
Powertrains:
- BlueHDi 130 Automatic
France Pricing:
- BlueHDi 130 Automatic: €52,650
- Lease: from €540/month (48 months / 40,000 km)
The DS PERFORMANCE Line isn’t about pushing big horsepower or delivering track-ready dynamics. Instead, it’s about infusing DS’s three core models with its electric-racing identity—through materials, design, and tech that hint at its Formula E success without overwhelming the everyday-luxury ethos of the brand.
With competitive leasing, upgraded equipment, and a distinct motorsport-inspired look, the performance-lite approach makes these cars feel more special without requiring buyers to step into a full-blown performance variant. And in today’s EV-forward, tech-heavy market, that might be exactly the sweet spot DS needs.
Source: Stellantis
