DS Reveals New Luxury Flagship as a BEVDS Reveals New Luxury Flagship as a BEV

Luxury Citroën sub-brand DS Automobiles pulls the wraps off its new No.8 flagship battery-electric vehicle in a bid to capture a slice of the diminutive premium BEV market.

Due to reach European markets by the middle of 2025, the vehicle is the first of the brand’s models to be solely 100% electric.

A proudly French-built product, its batteries are built domestically and its motors are designed and produced in Trémery by NPE, another joint venture involving the Stellantis Group.

The No.8’s 400V system claims a maximum power output of 350 hp and a range of 466 miles (750 km) in its range-topping version. That said, it is available in three powertrain outputs including an "entry-level" 230-hp and the midstream 245-hp option.

The most powerful all-wheel-drive version uses two electric motors on the front and rear axles. All motors can draw on extra power for short periods providing 30 hp more for the FWD version and 25 hp on the AWD long-range model.

DS No.8 is available with a choice of two battery packs: a 74-kWh for the lowest output model and a larger 97.2-kWh unit fitted to the FWD long-range and AWD long-range models.

The range-topper claims the longest range at a consumption of 4.8 mi/kWh (12.9 kWh/100 km) on Europe’s WLTP cycle. It also claims a range of more than 310 miles (499 km) on the motorway at a constant speed of 75 mph (121 km/h).

This model also claims the best performance with a 0-to-62 mph (97 km/h) sprint time of 5.4 seconds while the sprint is 7.7 seconds and 7.8 seconds for the two FWD versions with all models' speed limited to 118 mph (190 km/h).

None of the models are particularly lightweight, tipping the scales with curb weights of 2,132 kg (4,690 lbs.) 2,180 kg (4,796 lbs.) and 2,289 kg (5,036 lbs.)

With a maximum charge power of 160 kW it is possible to charge the vehicle from 20% to 80% in 27 minutes on a fast terminal.

The 11-kW and 22-kW on-board chargers will offer V2L (vehicle-to-load) capabilities for charging an external electrical device.

In addition to selectable levels of brake energy regeneration, DS No.8 has a one-pedal feature. Activated via a button on the center console, it allows driving without touching the brake pedal.

Prices and market availability are to be announced at a later date but expect to see a windshield sticker of $60,000. Olivier François, DS Automobiles CEO, says: “At a time when our industry is undergoing a revolution, DS Automobiles is at the forefront by accelerating its electrification strategy. With DS No.8, the brand is part of the energy transition by offering sustainable and uncompromising mobility in a setting driven by the French Art of Travel. The men and women from DS Automobiles have chosen materials and technology that position DS No.8 in this dimension.”