DS Automobiles’ new DS 7
A perfect mix of technical expertise and elegance, the New DS 7 is a symbol of DS Automobiles’ path to e-mobility, paired with their legendary and unique design language. The new DS 7 was just released on Monday, and is a fresh and new development of the previous model, including many distinctive features such as its new and improved lighting, new materials and dynamic design.
“At the same time as respecting the personality and elegance of the existing shape, we’ve injected an additional touch of dynamism with sharp features. New DS 7’s character is given a boost, particularly at the front and rear, while its design is directly inspired by our recent concept cars. New confections also reinforce the character of the interior in search of ever more refinement.” – Thierry Metroz, Design Director at DS Automobiles
The New DS 7
The first 100% DS Automobiles design, revealed in 2017, DS 7 CROSSBACK projected a new spirit of the avant-garde. Acclaimed for its unparalleled interiors, its remarkable refinement and its cutting-edge technology, it opened the way for new developments, now embodied by the New DS 7.
This new vehicle stands out through DS Automobiles’ French luxury expertise, with a front that features DS PIXEL LED VISION 3.0 technology and materials seeking to offer sophistication and comfort as yet unseen in the segment. Developed by DS PERFORMANCE , the New DS 7 E-TENSE 4x4 360 also has a 360-horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain with intelligent four-wheel drive transmission, big wheels, a lower stance and wide diameter brakes.
French luxury interior design
Just like the largest Paris fashion houses, DS Automobiles bestows special care on the choice of materials and how they’re treated. Through upholstery in the New DS 7’s interiors, each journey is made different. New upholstery with a draped effect on the Nappa leather trim is now on the dashboard and door panels. Without seams or joins it maintains the feel and appearance of natural leather. The hide is further elevated by embossing with lines reminiscent of the DS LIGHT VEIL signature.
The attention to detail of this interior is also shown by the pearl stitching offered in the new White and Zephyr colours, a steering wheel in full grain leather with a leather covered airbag, “Clous de Paris'' embossed inserts iconic to DS Automobiles without forgetting the watch strap upholstery offered for the first time in Pearl Grey. The PERFORMANCE LINE interior features a deeper black colour with the microfiber textile Alcantara® throughout and Gold and Carmine touches that emphasise the dynamic appearance. The BASTILLE interior has been refreshed with a new DS Canvas finish and a Basalt Black grain inspired by fish skin. All these interiors are enhanced with ambient lighting that can be personalised, and a new pattern based on “Clous de Paris” embossed inserts.
A new dynamic exterior
The New DS 7’s character comes from significant changes to the front and back. Still elegant, it was made even more dynamic thanks to sharper, more structural lines and a very coherent design.
The light signature of the car was developed even further and with an even more expressive look. The combination of new slimmer DS PIXEL LED VISION 3.0 headlamps and the DS LIGHT VEIL daytime running lights is seamless and carried out in the spirit of high fashion.
The DS WINGS and the grille are larger and the valance has been redesigned with a range of colours depending on the model. The slimmer scale-like LED rear lights with a vortex effect have also been redesigned with a dark metallic finish.
The boot lid and badge have been reworked with sharper lines, while the “DS AUTOMOBILES '' name that replaces “CROSSBACK” will now sign off New DS 7’s visually stretched rear. The wheels play a part in the character of the New DS 7’s profile. Fitted with inserts, the new 19-inch EDINBURGH and SILVERSTONE rims improve aerodynamic efficiency while the treatment of their design magnifies their perceived diameter. New 21-inch BROOKLYN wheels, with a sculpted technical design are only available on the New DS 7 E-TENSE 4x4 360.
Performance and sustainability
Because DS Automobiles is the multi-energy brand with the lowest CO2 emissions in Europe in the last two years, and a multiple Formula E champion, it has chosen to offer the New DS 7 with several kinds of power unit, including a wide range of three plug-in hybrids with 225, 300 and 360 horsepower.
The New DS 7 E-TENSE 225 has a PureTech 180 petrol engine and a 110-horsepower electric motor fitted to the eight-speed automatic gearbox with a two-wheel drive transmission. On the other hand, the New DS 7 E-TENSE 4x4 300 and New DS 7 E-TENSE 4x4 360 introduce a four-wheel drive transmission with a PureTech 200 motor as well as 110 and 112 horsepower electric motors on each of the axles.
A new 14.2 kWh battery also brings up to 65 kilometres with zero emissions on the WLTP mixed cycle and up to 81 kilometres on the urban cycle. Charging time is about two hours on a 7.4kW charger. The New DS 7 remains one of the most efficient cars in its class, specifically because of its well-controlled weight.
Technology at the forefront
The infotainment system of the New DS 7 was one of the biggest changes brought to the model, with the inclusion of DS IRIS SYSTEM. This new solution introduces a totally reworked interface that is completely customisable, reactive, seamless and supported
by natural voice recognition. The redesigned 12” high-resolution touch screen features a menu made up of widgets for accessing all its functions with a single movement. This big screen also enables views front and rear to be displayed, provided by new high-resolution digital cameras, and access to the Mirror Screen function over wi-fi.
Another aspect of the New DS 7 is also the introduced technology for more comfort and relaxation such as DS ACTIVE SCAN SUSPENSION and DS NIGHT VISION. DS ACTIVE SCAN SUSPENSION is a camera-controlled damping system that’s completely unique in its class as it adjusts each wheel independently according to imperfections in the carriageway. With DS NIGHT VISION, an infrared camera sweeps the carriageway and its edges to detect cyclists, pedestrians and animals at distances up to 100 metres. The driver receives the information in the new high resolution digital instrument display, reinforced by a special warning in the event of danger.
Pictures: DS Automobiles