DS, the premium brand of the Stellantis group, aims to compete with Tesla and BMW with a new electric SUV presented this Thursday, December 12, on “No. 8″announced with a very high autonomy of 750 kilometers.
Launching in May 2025
DS wants to convince buyers of traditional sedans to opt for electricity, promising them autonomy that will allow them to travel from Paris to Lyon by motorway without recharging, the DS team said during a presentation of the vehicle at the Vélizy design center ( Yvelines).
DS presents the “No. 8″a reference to the world of perfumery, as a “coupe SUV”solid and tall on wheels, but with an elongated and fairly low body to favor aerodynamics and its sporty style. It should crown the brand’s range from May 2025 with prices that will range between 60,000 and 80,000 euros.
“Elegant version of a Tesla”
“It’s a sleek French version of a Tesla.”Anything else “hot” AND “eternal”stressed the director of DS (and head of marketing for Stellantis) Olivier François, during a press conference.
The number 8 wants “make the difference with this French image” and has “put the package in materials, finishes”he stressed.
This long boat has a length of 4.82 meters, a beam of 1.90 meters and a height of 1.58 meters. The unladen mass is announced between 2.12 and 2.29 tons, depending on the version.
The first DS “made in italy”
Based on the same platform, “STLA Medium” Unlike the latest Peugeot e-3008, the DS N°8 has batteries and motors made in France but is assembled at Fiat-Jeep’s factory in Melfi, Italy. A location that is undoubtedly less problematic than that of the DS9, its high-end sedan produced in China.
A shiny grille, a steering wheel with branches on “unknown” or the two-tone paint, in reference to pre-war cars, should also help it stand out in a very competitive premium category.
The former CEO of Stellantis, Carlos Tavares, had decided to market it only when it reached 750 kilometers of autonomy, according to the DS team.
97.2 kWh battery
This version, the “Long Range FWD” (translation: the version with a single motor, in the front, with long autonomy), will offer a power of 245 horsepower and an announced autonomy of 750 km thanks to a 97.2 kWh battery.
The charging power is announced at up to 200 kW in direct current, enough to go from 20 to 80% in 27 minutes, DS announces.
another version “Long range”with the same battery, but two motors for an announced power of 350 horsepower. A less powerful version will also be offered (230 horsepower) and with a smaller 74 kWh battery with 572 kilometers of official range.
A model to relaunch DS
After the departure of Carlos Tavares, who had cut marketing expenses, Olivier François wants to relaunch a communication offensive to “recreate appetite” around the group’s brands. “The discourse of desire, of the irrational, of emotion is fundamental (in the car). It’s time to turn to a slightly cooler strategy.”stressed Olivier François.
DS, launched in 2014 as a premium brand alongside Citröen and Peugeot, is one of the small brands of the Stellantis group, with around 50,000 vehicles sold per year, but it remains profitable, its boss stressed.
Source: BFM TV
