DS N°8

The first fully electric DS, the N°8 is the brand’s new flagship. It targets high-mileage drivers who value comfort and distinction. The car tested was an Étoile, the most complete trim, which adds to the Pallas the DS Drive Assist 2.0 system, DS Pixel LED Vision headlights, a 360-degree camera, a powered tailgate and an extended head-up display.

From concept to flagship

Inspired by the DS Aero Sport Lounge concept and unveiled in December 2024, the N°8 revives the pioneering spirit of the 1955 DS, whose 70th anniversary the brand, founded in 2014, has been marking. It rides on Stellantis’s STLA Medium platform and holds the role of flagship. It is assembled in Melfi, Italy, but most of its drivetrain remains French. The motor is built in Trémery (Moselle) and the battery in Billy-Berclau (Pas-de-Calais), with an energy density of 264 Wh/kg.

A look like no other

At 4.82 m long and 1.58 m tall, it blends a fastback saloon with a coupé SUV. A drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.24 explains the flowing lines and the smooth grille, lit by the DS Luminascreen. Every body panel was refined in the wind tunnel, right down to the wheels, to add roughly 60 km of range. The headlights echo the Clous de Paris guilloché pattern dear to the brand, and the vertical DS Lightblade light signatures make the car recognisable from more than 100 m away. With its 20-inch wheels, the Étoile has real presence.

A hushed cabin

Inside, Alcantara made of 68% recycled materials and leather tanned with olive leaves create a plush atmosphere. The front seats heat, ventilate and massage. The 16-inch central screen stays restrained and distracts the driver less than the oversized tablets found elsewhere, though the navigation takes some getting used to. The digital rear-view mirror also needs familiarity, then quickly makes you forget it is a screen. The boot looks a little small at first glance, but holds 620 litres.

Serenity before sportiness

On the road, the camera-guided suspension filters out irregularities effectively and the sound insulation adds to the sense of travel. Power is delivered smoothly, and one-pedal driving makes daily use easier. This is not a sports car but a car built for long distances. On driver assistance, DS Drive Assist 2.0 offers a semi-automatic lane change that moves the car over as soon as the indicator is operated and the lane is clear, along with predictive adaptive cruise control. Night vision spots pedestrians and animals up to 300 m away.

Range, its strongest card

The N°8 comes with a 74 or 97.2 kWh usable battery. With the larger one, the 245 hp version claims up to 749 km WLTP at 15.9 kWh/100 km, and 686 km with four-wheel drive. During the test, the range stayed close to the claimed figure. Charging peaks at 160 kW DC (20 to 80% in 27 minutes) and 11 kW AC.

Strengths and weaknesses

Range, comfort and refinement make the difference. Less convincing are the navigation interface and some door-panel plastics that sit below the car’s premium positioning.

Verdict

The DS N°8 offers a very French take on the premium electric car, more comfortable than sporty. In Luxembourg, prices start at €55,029.68 for the Pallas and €62,608.09 for the Étoile.