RAY MASSEY: Chic new flagship from DS Automobiles turns heads

There is something undeniably presidential about the new flagship car from DS Automobiles.

France’s head of state, Emmanuel Macron, already has a special version of the aerodynamically stylish electric DS No8 fast back-style crossover.

But while he is chauffeured around Paris in the spacious rear of the car, I have enjoyed being firmly in the driving seat on British roads.

DS Automobiles was launched as a standalone, avant-garde brand in 2014, spun off from the Citroën DS, whose letters are a play on déesse, French for ‘goddess’. Over the past decade or so, the premium DS brand has remained on the fringes of most British motorists’ consciousness.

But all that may be about to change, as the distinctive DS No8 hits the road, spearheading a regeneration of the upmarket French car brand.

On sale now ahead of first deliveries from April, the smart DS No8 is a sophisticated new arrival. It exudes real character, standing out from the current crop of copycat EVs with refined, jewellery-like detailing.

Its lounge-like interiors offer first or business-class levels of comfort – let’s call it ‘French Class’ – that’s a cut above rivals for long-haul travel.

And onlookers really did turn their heads in admiration.

With a maximum range of 466 miles, from London to Perth in Scotland, motorway range is nearer 310 miles. There are two UK trim levels, Pallas and Étoile, with two battery capacities of 73.7 kWh and 97.2 kWh depending on model.

Prices start from £50,790 for the 230hp front-wheel drive version in Pallas trim, which accelerates from rest to 62mph in 7.7 seconds, with a range of 341 miles. 

The more powerful 245hp long-range version has the highest range of 466 miles, accelerates from 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds, and costs £54,790 in Pallas and £59,290 in Étoile trim.

Riding on 20in wheels, I drove the top-of-the-range, all-wheel drive 350hp, long-range Étoile version with two electric motors. It sprints engagingly but smoothly from 0 to 62 miles in just 5.4 seconds, with a range of 427 miles – but with a price-tag of £62,290. 

My car had £4,600 of extras, including fetching topaz blue paintwork, light brown nappa leather interior and a panoramic glass roof, taking the final price to a hefty £67,890.

There are five drive modes: eco, comfort, normal, sport and 4WD.

Camera-based active-scan adaptive suspension aims to ‘eat up potholes’ by scanning the road ahead and adjusting damping in real time to optimise comfort and handling, reduce bumps and the risk of damage.

Top speed on all models is electronically limited to 118mph.

LONG LEGGED PERFORMANCE

Lively sport mode with more precise handling was my default setting when driving on twisty country roads and open highways. 

But it was also relaxing to glide at leisure in comfort mode through villages and towns and even on motorways and dual carriageways to experience and enjoy its long-legged, long-distance charms.

Levels of regenerative braking can be finessed via steering wheel paddles, including one-pedal driving mode.

For passengers and presidents, seats in the spacious rear recline at 30 degrees to offer 84cm of headroom and decent legroom. It feels very grown up.

WELL STOCKED

Generous levels of standard kit on my car test-driven around the roads of well-heeled leafy Surrey included: head up display, heated and ventilated comfort front seats with a neck-warmer; grip-able X-shaped heated steering wheel; elegant but practical double-decker floating console with a striking ‘light-burst’ graphic; a wide slim 16 inch digital dashboard plus a selection of much-valued physical buttons; tinted rear windows, acoustic insulation and thickened glass; an 8-speaker audio system; and a heat pump to thermally pre-condition the car battery in cold weather.

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BOLD EXTERIOR

Enhancing its bold exterior illuminated front and sweeping rear there are five standard colours including my topaz blue, pearl crystal, perla nera black, palladium grey and alabaster white.

A black roof or duo-tone black bonnet are options.

Optional 21-inch wheels can be specified as an alternative to the standard 20 inch.

It has high-definition LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors and cameras, and the driver assist package includes semi-automatic lane changing; anticipated speed adaptation; and predictive adaptive cruise control.

All drive-trains enjoy access to a power boost that can bring an additional 30hp, 35 hp and 25 hp of energy.

FULL CHARGE

With its 11kW on-board charger, charging to 80 per cent on domestic AC 7.5 kW wall-box takes 8h 48 mins but that reduces to 27 mins on a rapid DC 160 kW fast-charger, or 125 miles in a 10-minute boost.

ENCORE DS

As the DS Automobiles portfolio grows, also unveiled this week is the new DS No7 SUV.

The DS No4 hatchback priced from £32,200 is available to buy for the first time as an EV as well as a petrol-hybrid and plug in hybrid (PHEV).

The company is also on track to revive the DS3 hatchback as a more sophisticated and radical DS No3 five door hybrid and fully-electric EV.

Stand-alone DS Automobiles was created in 2014 as a premium 21st-century spiritual successor to the original innovative Citroen DS which was unveiled at the 1955 Paris Motor Show and hailed as ‘the most beautiful car in the world’. 

Famed for its sophisticated steering and smooth self- levelling suspension, this groundbreaking car was also beloved of French movie stars such as Brigitte Bardot, and credited with saving the life of President Charles de Gaulle, who escaped an assassination attempt inside one, despite bullet holes and burst tyres. It was phased out in 1976.

France’s President Macron uses modern DS models for official state business. Both DS Automobiles and Citroen are part of the Stellantis conglomerate which also includes Peugeot, Alfa Romeo Jeep and Britain’s Vauxhall.