There’s simply one thing particular about French automotive designs. They’re bizarre, they’re cool, they’re attractive, they’re ugly, they’re some mixture of all the things. Most significantly, French automobiles are modern and in contrast to anything available on the market, which is why I’ve at all times been obsessed. The most recent new French mannequin to debut is the DS N°8, an electric-only crossover-sedan factor that appears like the proper car to make a grand entrance in, like on the opera, or trend week, or the grocery retailer.
DS says the N°8’s SUV-coupe form is “an invite to cowl lengthy distances by its record-setting aerodynamics,” and to the model’s credit score it is vitally environment friendly. The N°8 has a drag coefficient of 0.24, the identical as an Audi E-Tron GT regardless of the DS being about 7 inches shorter in size and virtually 7 inches taller in peak. With a battery pack as much as 97.2 kWh in dimension, the N°8 has a spread of as much as 466 miles on the European WLTP cycle, placing it proper consistent with different fashions on Stellantis’ STLA Medium platform. Twin-motor all-wheel-drive fashions have 350 horsepower and a 5.4-second 0-to-62-mph time, whereas lesser FWD ones make do with as much as 245 hp.
The N°8 has what DS calls the Luminascreen up entrance, an illuminated panel with lit vertical strains that takes the place of a standard grille. It’s a extremely cool impact, and undoubtedly a greater method than simply placing on a fake mesh grille. Slim headlights stretching horizontally from the corners of the Luminascreen, with three modules of 8 LEDs in a Clous de Paris sample. Extending down from the primary headlights on the corners of the bumper are vertical gentle blades that, along with being the operating lights, poke ahead to assist with aerodynamics by “minimising airflow detachment” like on a ship’s bow. Out there two-tone paint schemes make the hood heart, roof and grille encompass black, with the hood utilizing new paintjet expertise that doesn’t require a baking part.
Regardless of its positioning as a crossover and the presence of decrease physique and fender flare cladding, the N°8 appears to be like fairly modern and car-like, and it’s provided with 21-inch wheels which are lighter than the 20s. The steeply raked roofline is incredible, and I really like the remedy of the C-pillar, which has a floating motif that’s extra attention-grabbing than those we usually see. A ducktail-like spoiler is created by the black trim surrounding the C-pillar, which additionally hides the door deal with. One other good element is the crease above the rear wheels, which flows into the spear-like taillights and types the highest of the cost port. Like on the entrance, the taillights have vertical spears that assist with aero too, right here “optimising airflow detachment like an aeroplane wing.”
We already noticed the N°8’s inside a pair weeks in the past, which has a weird-ass X-shaped steering wheel and wraparound trim with built-in audio system, and now we’ve got extra particulars and a few new pictures of different specs. First off, I simply have to incorporate this part from the press launch, as a result of the prose is unbelievable:
DS N°8 has a cockpit that embodies French consolation, serenity and luxurious. The extensive dashboard envelops the occupants and exemplifies the seamless spirit (“Seamless Design”). It’s each ornamental, like a bit of expertise, and technical by the mixing of the sound system, air vents and lightweight signatures. The purity of its design completely combines a excessive degree of experience (“Excessive Craft”) and superior expertise (“Excessive-Tech”), which bears witness to an ideal alchemy between the technical sophistication and ability of DS Vehicles within the software of fabric.
Gentle is utilized in an unbelievable manner all through, as is that Clous de Paris sample in locations just like the air vents and steering wheel. Additionally utilized liberally is satin Gentle Gold trim that DS says was impressed by 1930’s luxurious automobiles, a part of a “chrome detox” that the model is chasing after. The N°8’s beautiful heated, cooled and massaging seats have mounted headrests, under which a brand new neck hotter that “favours heating as near the physique as potential to boost vitality consumption” is built-in with a backlit brand and crystal-like design.
You possibly can go for 3 totally different animal-free interiors, or select actual Nappa leather-based if you want. There are totally different stitching patterns and trim colours relying on what scheme you go for, and even the panoramic sunroof has a cool lined sample to it. Right here’s a couple of extra bits about inside options from the discharge that DS mentioned in a way more attention-grabbing manner than I ever might:
Animated instrument show
When the doorways are opened, the DS brand seems in the course of the ten.25” instrument show. It involves life and welcomes the driving force with subtly shimmering gold highlights. When driving, the dynamic “Digital ART” content material livens up the background of the instrument show. This animation contributes to serenity on journeys. The velocity of this animation is light whereas the contours of the patterns mix right into a darker background, in order that the driving force stays targeted on the important data. Within the center, the design of the odometer is impressed by the world of watchmaking. The readability of the battery cost indicator and the “energy meter” take priority.
X-shaped steering wheel
The brand new X-shaped steering wheel, impressed by our newest idea automobiles, is now coming to DS N°8. Its design breaks with established guidelines, whereas its structure and enhanced ergonomics supply the driving force new grip zones that contribute to driving enjoyment. Its rim is roofed in several supplies relying on the specification degree. Absolutely lined, this new steering wheel additionally contributes to the thought of close-up thermal consolation by its heating perform.
Bespoke centre console
With DS N°8, the French Artwork of Journey takes on a brand new dimension. The inside includes a double-decker floating centre console. The higher half is dedicated to the primary interactive options. The “PRND” transmission selector, the “Drive Mode” setting selector in addition to the audio system’s on the spot entry quantity management fall completely at hand. These options have been designed like crystals, in line with jewelry, whereas a refined gentle animation alludes to the form of a galaxy. The cellphone storage space, trimmed in Alcantara®, is sort of a treasured casket. A lined palm relaxation comprises further hidden storage, whereas the armrest accommodates a big extra space. Within the decrease half, a big space for storing that may be hidden by a sliding shutter accommodates 2 detachable cup holders and a couple of USB-C sockets. The edges of the console are lined and padded to be nice to the contact and involved with the leg.
The DS N°8 will go on sale in Europe in mid-2025, with pricing but to be introduced. Stellantis is in hassle proper now, with the mega-corp dropping its CEO and contemplating promoting off a few of its many manufacturers. I’ll not less than take some solace in figuring out that it’s the American and Italian sides of Stellantis which are actually fucking up, whereas the French manufacturers are off in their very own superb, attractive, weird-ass world.
