DS: A car for Emmanuel Macron
Citroën's luxury subsidiary DS finally has a real flagship in its portfolio with the No.8. The electric crossover saloon offers plenty of range - and that certain "Je ne sais quoi".
Ever since DS Automobiles emancipated itself from Citroën, the luxury subsidiary has been fully committed to the premium card. However, a genuine flagship has been missing until now. With the DS9, a 4.9-meter-long saloon was launched - but it was not well received by the solvent customer base. Most recently, the DS7 SUV was the top model, but with a length of 4.6 meters, it is not really suitable as the flagship of a premium brand. But because the whole of France had no more luxurious vehicle to offer, President Emmanuel Macron was recently driven around in it, which at least helped the brand to gain some prestige.
Now DS is finally going all out and launching the No.8, a flagship that deserves the name. La Grande Nation finally has a vehicle that is the right size for a state limousine, even if the No.8 is not a limousine at all. At least not really. President Macron has already waved to the cameras from an armored version - the series version will hit the road in the fall. We have already been on a test drive.
Up to 750 kilometers e-range
The No.8 rolls up to the Élysée Palace as well as to Swiss dealers, where it will be launched in September at prices starting from 49,900 francs. The basic version is available with front-wheel drive, 169 kW/230 hp and a 73.7 kWh battery, which provides a standard range of 550 kilometers. The front-wheel drive version with a 97.2 kWh battery and 180 kW/245 hp has a range of up to 750 kilometers and costs from 64,900 Swiss francs. The top all-wheel drive model with 257 kW/350 hp can cover 688 kilometers with the same battery and costs 5,000 francs more. All variants charge with a maximum of 160 kW.
The body shape and exterior design are as eccentric as you would expect from the DS brand: A kind of higher saloon or a flat SUV with a hatchback with a sabre-tooth light signature, like its sister company Peugeot already had. The interior is lined with high-quality materials and equipped with various pampering features.
You sit very comfortably, nestled as if in a cocoon, and enjoy the pronounced silence on board. The steering is a little spongy in the center position, you have to get used to the special steering wheel, but the driving comfort in the No.8 is high, the performance is more than sufficient and you are sure to attract the attention of passers-by. The brand's new flagship is therefore likely to appeal not only to Emmanuel Macron, but also to Swiss car buyers.
