Test sitting in the DS N°8: Macron's next perfume?

We were allowed into the "sacred halls" of DS, the design center on the southern outskirts of Paris. It is much more sober than expected: More of a functional building than a palace, with park rather than city landscape. But with a dedicated team that especially loves the interior and already has the wildest material and graphic combinations ready here, some of which also flowed into the DS N°8.

It was directly developed from the 2020 Aerosport Lounge Concept study. It is even available with a black roof AND a black hood, which in this case is digitally printed black directly in the paint shop. With this, we are already at the first unusual detail of the unusual car, which at 4.82 meters long, 1.9 meters wide and 1.58 meters high is significantly flatter and longer than the Peugeot 3008, but offers a stately 2.9 meters of wheelbase.

The new target value according to WLTP: Less than 13 kWh/100 km

Briefly to the other data: There are two battery sizes with 74 or 97.2 kWh, which are supposed to offer up to 572 and 750 kilometers of range (in the Long Range version) - in reality, in the worst case, roughly 400 or just under 500 are likely to remain, because the DS N°8 is supposed to be very economical with 12.9 kWh/100 km or 14.21 kWh/100 km. The electric motors produce 230, 245 and 350 hp (briefly a bit more at peak) and deliver 345 Nm, while the all-wheel drive has 511 Nm. This accelerates the fastback CUVs to 100 km/h in 7.7, 7.8 or 5.4 seconds. Top speed is limited to 190 km/h.

Charging: Long with a flat curve, but maximum 160 kW DC

Charging can be done with DC up to 160 kW - not a record, but they are supposed to be between 20 and 55% SOC, so that you can charge quickly for a long time. Ideally 200 km of range within ten minutes. Of course, there is a heat pump and thermal management, but the 20 to 80% hub still takes 27 minutes due to the 400-volt architecture, from the usual ten to 80% it becomes rather 35 minutes plus x... With the 11 kW charger, the large battery takes 5 hours and 55 minutes, with the optional 22 kW charging capability three hours. And yes, it can also do Vehicle-to-Charge and V2L, nothing was yet reported regarding V2X. This would be interesting as Renault already has a package in France with The Mobility House.

Many details bring many kilometers of range

But as mentioned, the DS N°8 should score with efficiency, which is why a lot was done on aerodynamics. A cW value of 0.24 is given, thanks to various measures: including a smooth underbody (+14 km), a mostly closed aero shutter at the front (+18 km), the rear spoiler (+15 km) as well as details such as the front and rear aeroskirts, which should each contribute another 4 kilometers of range according to WLTP. And of course, the drop shape with the sharply sloping roof at the back contributes a little as well.

In the rear, one is reminded a bit of the Citroën CX

Doesn't that pinch? Well... We think: With 1.9 meters of height and long legs, there's plenty of space in the front and rear, especially with the large optional, non-opening one-piece glass roof. For which there is no blind, but only an insulation, or optionally small mats to shade individual areas. Thanks to a more sloped, steeper seat in the rear, we sit quite comfortably and, thanks to the front seats sloping downward, also have a good view forward – all in all suitable for Macron, who is 1.73 meters tall.

Thanks for that! Previously unseen in steering wheel and seats

In the front, one sits on abbot or monk-like seats, and like the hood with the Capuchins protects the "Gate of the Winds" at the neck, here you can also warm your neck! A small triangular air outlet provides warmth when needed, otherwise all seats can be heated and cooled. One looks at an unusually designed steering wheel with x-shaped spokes and two "touch clubs" - or let's say as a reminiscence of the Citroën CX better "touch satellites" - on the side, but which still provides enough view of the instruments. So you should be able to find several good positions for your hands on the steering wheel over long distances. We tried that out too - it could work - and it looks quite wild, almost a bit like the large wooden spoke steering wheels of pre-war vehicles. The displays themselves are modestly designed, accompanied by a 16-inch central screen, also elegant like the entire cockpit landscape, where DS once again excels. Especially since the subtle ambient lighting matches that of the displays.

The interior is once again a feast of new ideas and structures

A lot of effort was also put into details such as the door trims, seat upholstery (Alcantara with fabric in the base - in dark blue!!!), the Alcantara-covered smartphone charging station, or the optional 690-watt Focal sound system with 14 speakers, which is supposed to provide great surround sound. And of course, special emphasis was placed on sound insulation and comfort – points we can only finally check at the driving presentation.