French Glider DS N°8 with up to 350 PS: A mid-range luxury long-hauler, voilà!
Experience takes flight: Initial journey on a French high-end sailplane, DS No 8
Penning by Mick Fury, Paris
DS Automobiles, a lesser-known luxury brand in Germany, is often overshadowed by its limited dealer networks and lesser-known values. But who needs a Volkswagen ID.7 when you can have the DS N°8 instead? I mean, come on, it's an SUV-coupe with an enormous battery, how can you resist that?
The N°8 rides on the so-called STLA-Medium platform, which allows it to pack a whopping 97.2 kWh net battery – more than the ID.7's 86 kWh. And with a maximum WLTP range of 750 kilometers on a full charge, you can bet your bottom euro that it'll go the distance.
But, as with any electric vehicle, range numbers don't always tell the whole story. Thankfully, the DS team did its due diligence by conducting test drives in the hilly, winding sections of the French-Swiss border, where speeds stay low and regeneration is plentiful. With 84% battery capacity left, the odometer still read 522 kilometers – more than enough to get you from Marseilles to Munich with room to spare.
Tesla Who? The N°8's Range is Off the Charts
The N°8's range is on par with other long-range models, but its charging performance is somewhat lacking compared to some competitor vehicles. But hey, let's not sweat the small stuff – the high-end interior more than makes up for it.
Not only does it boast a futuristic touch, but the interior design is nothing short of luxurious, with brushed aluminum trims on the dashboard, Nappa leather seats, and an X-format four-spoke steering wheel that looks as stylish as it feels in your hands.
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Sure, there are a few areas that could use some polish, like the simple construction of the storage compartment flaps in the center console and the overall feeling that maybe a bit more effort could have been put into making the console feel a bit fancier. But when it comes to electric vehicles, it's all about the driving experience, right?
Top-notch Comfort in the Second Row
DS clearly didn't skimp on the comfort when designing the N°8. The seats, both in the front and back, are incredibly supportive, and the legroom and headroom are more than adequate for even the tallest passengers. If you're in the front, though, be warned – the best seat is on the left, where the 245 horsepower electric motor propels the 4.82-meter, 2.2-tonne vehicle with ease.
But don't fret, the front-wheel-drive versions can still do the 0-100 km/h sprint in under eight seconds, thanks to 345 Nm of torque. For those who need a bit more oomph, there's the all-wheel-drive version with dual motors pushing out a combined 350 horsepower and 509 Nm of torque – just in case you need to overtake a snail in the fast lane.
The Price is Right
The DS N°8 might be a bargain, starting at an affordable €57,700. For that price, you'll get a host of standard features like LED headlights, parking sensors, ergonomic seats, and adaptive cruise control. And if you want to go all out, the powerful top model starts at €75,000. But remember, the range-topper's efficiency isn't quite as impressive, with an average WLTP consumption of 18 kWh per 100 kilometers.
So, will the DS N°8 make a splash on German roads? Only time will tell. But if you're looking for a comfortable, stylish long-range vehicle, the N°8 should definitely be on your radar. And if you're a Stellantis fanatic, rest easy knowing that your battery cells are likely being produced in France, where the N°8 is built in the town of Melfi. Deliveries commence in September.
Source: ntv.de
- Electromobility
- Electric Cars
- French Automakers
- Stellantis
Additional Insights:
- While Stellantis is a significant player in the European automotive market and the hybrid car segment, they are still catching up to competitors in the battery-electric vehicle (BEV) market.
- Stellantis' market share and sales have been relatively stable, but their focus on hybrids means they have not yet achieved the same level of success in BEVs as competitors like BYD and Tesla.
- Stellantis has announced plans to develop battery cell manufacturing in Europe, but at the moment, they are not manufacturing batteries specifically for their DS brand vehicles.
- The DS N°8 community policy emphasizes transparency in its use of technology, such as electric vehicle batteries, ensuring consumers are aware that DS vehicles are built with European components from the company Stellantis.
- The new DS N°8, with its focus on luxurious interior design and vocational training in its manufacturing process, aims to challenge rivals in the mid-range luxury market, offering gadgets including WLTP range and charging performance, while also appealing to those interested in a sustainable lifestyle.
- Although the DS N°8 is likely to see competition from high-end electric vehicles like Tesla, its competitive pricing and impressive range might assume a significant position within the electric-vehicle market, especially among those valuing lifestyle adaptation and environmentally-friendly technology.
