France has given the world great names that are part of the symbolic imagery of fashion, good taste and luxury, such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel or Hermès, to name just three of the greatest. houses.
The French tradition in the luxury goods business is recognized all over the world, but not so much in luxury cars… Apart from the luxury supercar brand, only Citroën was truly capable of producing a very avant-garde luxury model. desired in its time, the SM, which ceased production in 1975, and is now a highly sought after and valued classic.
Before, in 1955, the first Citroën DS was the culmination of a project of great technological innovation, with the best spirit Vanguard which is still visible today, both in terms of design and state-of-the-art technology.
It is this extraordinary legacy that we find at the base of all the models of the DS brand, created in 2014 with the purpose of symbolizing the best know to do French in the manufacture of luxury cars.
Innovation and technology
The second generation of the DS 7 was designed to satisfy the most demanding customers and technology expertWhat they see in the car they drive is an expression of their personality.
On the surface, the silhouette of the DS 7 remains distinct, with only slight changes making it slimmer and sportier. But when we look at the details of the body, we realize that the level of finish is exceptional. The front received new headlights that feature the same design, with three optical elements, but now with LED matrix technology. The lighting is more powerful in the low and high beams, but the ice cube-shaped LEDs no longer rotate inside the headlights when the car is on. It is the end of a reminiscent of the “frogmouth” DS models that also had rotating headlights.
New daytime running lights create a depth and gloss effect reminiscent of a jewel-encrusted bumper on either side of the grille, also restyled with a new pattern on mesh. The light signature is now marked by the two sets of LEDs that form the vertical elements, covered by a laser-engraved polycarbonate surface and painted on the inside, in the same color as the body. The result of this innovation, which the brand has called DS LIGHT VEIL, resembles a veil of continuous light, which also turns on and off when the car is locked or unlocked.
At the rear, the LED light blocks are laser cut, displaying multiple ‘V’s giving them a three-dimensional appearance complemented by the DS logo applied on chrome in the light continuity, in line with the C-pillar. .placement of the DS AUTOMOBILES logo in the center, at the junction between the two optical groups, where the CROSSBACK legend used to be.
The personality of the model is reinforced by the shapes of the panels, with well-crafted connections and a touch of eccentricity that reflects the Citroën DS lineage, but today with more bling bling.
Infographic: Gonçalo Carvalho
comfort and refinement
The sophistication continues inside, where designers have gone to great lengths to create a cabin that is elegant, dynamic and luxurious. It’s roomier than its segment rivals and, thanks to the lack of all-wheel drive, there’s plenty of legroom for those in the rear seats, whose headrests recline electrically for easy visibility. At the front, the flowing instrument panel and raised center console, dotted with a BRM analog clock, ensure a rugged look to the whole, contributing to the chic and futuristic atmosphere on board the DS 7. Diamond Switches are as striking as the stitching on the panels and the leather seats, upholstered in a cuff pattern.
Another novelty is the 12-inch screen where the new information and entertainment multimedia system is centralized, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Some safety and driving support applications are also operated from here. This is the case of the DS NIGHT VISION night vision system that uses an infrared camera to analyze the road and side lanes, with the ability to detect cyclists, pedestrians and animals that can be up to 100 meters away.
The avant-garde design and the quality of the materials impress even the most distracted, when they get behind the wheel, in an environment that combines luxury and technology in an impeccable way. This, by the way, is one of the attributes that best distinguishes the DS 7 in an increasingly competitive segment where it will compete with Germans, British, Italians and Japanese.
Unrivaled comfort, luxury finishes and state-of-the-art technology are the competitive differentiators of this model, which is a perfect ambassador of what is very French. the joy of living.
energy and ecology
DS Automobiles has equipped the new DS 7 with different types of engines, betting on a range of three plug-in hybrid blocks of 225, 300 and 360 horsepower. Here we highlight another novelty: a new 14.2 kWh battery that allows you to travel up to 65 kilometers in electric mode, without emissions, in the WLTP mixed cycle and up to 81 kilometers in the urban cycle. Charging time is about 120 minutes when using a 7.4 kW charger.
The new DS 7 E-TENSE 225 combines the PureTech 180 petrol engine with a 110 hp electric motor and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The DS 7 E-TENSE 4×4 300 and DS 7 E-TENSE 4×4 360 feature permanent all-wheel drive, with a PureTech 200 petrol engine and 110 and 112 hp electric motors on each axle. The most powerful version has 360 hp and received specific tuning from DS PERFORMANCE. The new DS 7 is also available with a 130 hp BlueHDi diesel engine.
The only two-time Formula E world champion brand, with two driver and team titles, in 2019 and 2020, DS Automobiles is at the forefront of automotive electrification, producing at least one electric version of every model in the range, which will be exclusively electric from 2024
The E-TENSE badge distinguishes versions with 100% electric or plug-in hybrid motors that can reach a maximum power of 360 hp in the all-wheel drive variant.
Currently, DS Automobiles is present in 41 countries through an exclusive distribution network that has more than 400 DS STORES. The brand also offers the innovative “ONLY YOU – The DS Experience” service, a customer service program that represents a strong commitment to exclusivity to offer a unique and memorable experience to the most demanding customers.
The launch of the new DS 7 is scheduled for the month of October.
Source: Observadora
