- DS unveils its new flagship mannequin, the N°8 fastback crossover EV, which has a WLTP vary of as much as 466 miles.
- Single- and dual-motor variations are provided with as much as 350 hp and a 0-62 mph time of 5.4 seconds.
- The DS N°8 arrives in Europe across the center of 2025.
Posh Stellantis model DS desires to be seen with its new N°8, which sounds extra like a brand new perfume, not an electrical coupe crossover. DS is a luxurious spinoff of the Citroen model, and the N°8 is its flagship product, which makes it France’s fanciest new automobile.
DS calls the N°8 its flagship despite the fact that it’s about 4.7 inches (12 centimeters) shorter in general size in comparison with the DS9 sedan. Its maker says it’s an SUV, but it surely’s nearly too low to even name it a crossover, with a complete top of simply over 62 inches (1.58 meters), which is nearly the identical as a Polestar 4.
Nonetheless, despite the fact that it’s barely smaller than the DS9, the N°8, which arrives in Europe across the center of 2025, shall be costlier. Its beginning worth is slightly below €60,000 and a fully-loaded Etoile prime trim with all of the choices will attain €85,000. Its direct rival, the Polestar 4, begins at €63,200, whereas a Volkswagen ID.7 prices round €54,000.
The bottom N°8 has a 74-kilowatt-hour battery good for 355 miles (572 kilometers) WLTP. The bigger 97.2-kWh battery is rated for 466 miles (750 km) within the single-motor, front-wheel-drive configuration or 426 miles (686 km) within the dual-motor. Each batteries can cost at as much as 200 kW, which is sufficient for a 20 to 80% cost in 27 minutes.
With a drag coefficient of simply 0.24, the N°8 achieves a WLTP effectivity of 4.81 miles/kWh (12.9 kWh/100 km), which DS says is class-leading. One cost of the massive battery ought to be capable of energy the automobile at 74.5 mph (120 km/h) for 310 miles (500 km) of fixed freeway driving.
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Constructed on the STLA Medium 400-volt platform, the N°8 might have been outfitted with delicate and plug-in hybrid powertrains just like the mechanically associated Peugeot 3008 and 5008. Nonetheless, solely pure electrical variants are provided. The bottom automobile contains a single 227-horsepower electrical motor that’s dialed as much as 242 hp with the long-range battery.
Essentially the most potent variant has a 345 hp dual-motor powertrain that briefly goes as much as 370 hp when the increase operate is activated. This permits the N°8 to speed up to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.4 seconds and as much as 118 mph (190 km/h) flat out.
Technically, the DS N°8 has very comparable numbers to the associated Peugeot fashions, but it surely’s by way of its design that it stands out. Its gentle clusters are sharp, and so they outline the sides of its fascias, which is one thing Cadillac has additionally been doing with its design language for fairly some time. Its greenhouse is low, and the fastback rear finish may be very aggressive, giving it fairly a sporty look even by coupe crossover requirements.
Inside, DS went for a daring steering wheel design that makes the driving expertise really feel very futuristic. It will get a ten.25-inch digital driver’s show complemented by a really broad 16-inch infotainment display, and the whole lot round them seems very extravagant—it’s fairly an artsy-looking inside, and with out there Alcantara or Nappa leather-based upholsteries and gold trim, it doesn’t appear like the rest.
Because it’s French, you may count on some quirks, certainly one of which being the inside door pulls that you simply discover by reaching behind the speaker grilles. The fake grille within the entrance can also be illuminated on the highest variant, which makes an already daring design much more noticeable. Area within the trunk is considerable too, with a powerful most load quantity of 21.9 cubic ft (620 liters) and quick access due to a powered hatch.
Different fashions it shares its platform with embrace the Opel Grandland and the Citroen C5 Aircross, each of that are additionally out there with combustion powertrains. Stellantis can also be engaged on a brand new Lancia Gamma constructed on the identical underpinnings, which, just like the DS N°8, will solely include electrical energy when it arrives in 2026.
