The DS N°4 E-TENSE: A High-End Electric Ride
Electronic Redesign of DS Model 4: Elimination of Fossil Fuel Dependency
Step into the future with the DS N°4 E-TENSE, the fully electric variant of the DS Automobiles compact car. This stylish ride doesn't just flaunt a new name but boasts a host of innovative features that set it apart in the growing electric vehicle market.
DS Automobiles, known for its upscale touch, aims to bring the world of French design, chic, and fashionable sensuality to the automotive realm. Although not as luxurious as Bugatti, DS doesn't shy away from using unique embellishments and high-end materials like Nappa leather from time to time. As a part of the cost-conscious Stellantis group, the DS interior proves to be quite stylish despite limitations.
A sneak peek at the modified "four" reveals subtle visual changes, including a prominent, illuminated DS logo in the revamped front mask that adds a cool factor. The interior remains unchanged, with comfortable seats that set the stage for the main event beneath the hood.
Under the Hood
The departure of diesel engines from the price list is not surprising, and the entry-level model, priced at 38,640 euros, kicks off with a hybrid drive producing 145 PS. Its 136 PS, 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine is aided by a 21 kW electric motor, a powertrain well-known within the group.
The plug-in hybrid (225 PS) retains the same system output but sports a more potent electric motor (125 PS). A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission now replaces the eight-speed automatic transmission, and the engineers have upgraded the battery to a 14.6 kWh unit, enabling the 1.7-tonner to travel up to 77 kilometers in the average WLTP cycle.
The BEV and PHEV Electric powered DS N°4s
The fully electric variant, while maintaining the series' characteristics, features some exciting improvements. It marks the debut of the DS N°4 without an internal combustion engine, but the powertrain is unlike that found in contemporaries like the Citroën ë-C4 or Peugeot 308. The 58.3 kWh battery, a new expansion stage among EMP2 candidates, powers the electric vehicle, and its charging capacity escalates from the previous 100 kW to 120 kW.
Although the metrics for range and charging times remain unspecified, the increase in battery capacity and charging power indicates faster and more efficient charging capabilities when compared to its predecessors. Priced at 45,900 euros, both the BEV and the PHEV may not be bargains, but they offer tax advantages for company car drivers, especially in this electric-forward market.
The newcomer sports the trendy large letters on the trunk lid, maintaining a sense of style. It continues to offer substantial cargo space, with 430 liters for the lightly hybridized model, while the PHEV (360 liters) faces minor space sacrifices. The electric vehicle, with enough volume for a family vacation (390 liters), maintains its functional practicality.
Source: ntv.de, Patrick Broich/sp-x
- Stellantis
- French Automakers
Enrichment Data:
- Battery Capacity: The fully electric DS N°4 E-TENSE boasts a battery with a net capacity of approximately 58 kWh ( utilizing NMC-type chemistry).
- Power Output: The vehicle churns out 213 horsepower.
- Range: The DS N°4 E-TENSE offers a range of up to 450 km (in the combined WLTP cycle), though some sources mention a range of up to 280 miles, equivalent to approximately 451 km.
- Charging Power: It supports DC charging up to 120 kW. Rapid charging can fill the battery from 20% to 80% in about 30-31 minutes. Additionally, it can recover a range of 100 km in just 11 minutes.
These specifications position the DS N°4 E-TENSE as a competitive electric vehicle in its segment, offering a balance of power, range, and charging efficiency.
- The French manufacturer, DS Automobiles, known for its luxurious touch and integration of French design, aims to bring the chic and fashionable sensuality of their lifestyle to the automotive industry.
- As the industry shifts towards electric vehicles, the adoption of technology is evident in the DS N°4 E-TENSE, a high-end electric ride offering innovative features that set it apart in the market.
- The introduction of the DS N°4 E-TENSE includes a fully electric variant, spearheading a new phase for the brand in the transportation sector, and offering tax advantages for company car drivers in the electric-forward market.
- The electric DS N°4 E-TENSE, powered by a 58.3 kWh battery, presents a competitive balance in its segment with a range of up to 450 km (or approximately 280 miles) and rapid charging capabilities, refilling the battery from 20% to 80% in about 30-31 minutes.
