After the release of the first images of the camouflaged car on 21 November, and the revelation of its name at the beginning of December, here – at last! – all the official information on the new DS N°8. As usual, LIGNES/auto will be taking a closer look at this important stage in the life of DS Automobiles’ new flagship.
We’re going to look at this new silhouette from a different angle. You’ll see what it has in common with the 1982 Citroën BX, the 1974 CX, the future 2026 Lancia Gamma and even a new model from Chinese manufacturer GAC. In short, a presentation ”à la LIGNES/auto.” (Remember that reading the site is much more pleasant on a PC or Mac screen…)
BEHIND THE SCENES OF DS NO. 8: A HIGHLY MODIFIED PLATFORM
First things first: the platform of the DS N°8 is not exactly that of the Peugeot e3008: the STLA Medium. Officially, DS states that this advanced platform ”has been optimised in length and width to accommodate batteries with a useful capacity of up to 97.2 kWh. It can also accommodate large wheels with a diameter of 740 mm. This combination of battery capacity, controlled wheelbase and large wheels is unique on the market.” Unique, but not for long.
DS Automobiles can count on extensive modifications to the STLA Medium platform, which becomes STLA Medium ‘EVO’, because it will be sharing it internally with the next DS N°7 (presented in 2025, marketed in 2026), and also with the next Lancia Gamma of 2026, which will be produced in the same plant in Melfi, Italy. And it is thanks to the contribution of the Italian programme that the basis of the STLA Medium ‘EVO’ platform has been approved, with a retracted windscreen and modified bay, and a lowering of the hard points of the roof.
Indeed, work on the DS ‘D85’ – now N°8 above – was accompanied by work on the next Lancia Gamma, which Jean-Pierre Ploué (then head of design for the Italian marque) wanted to be dynamic and ‘aero-efficient’. This was not possible with the STLA Medium platform as it stood. And what Jean-Pierre Ploué wanted soon became a reality! At least at the time when the Stellantis group was headed by Carlos Tavares…
This diagram of the architecture of the Peugeot e3008 in blue and the DS N°8 in white above clearly shows the modifications made for the DS N°8, the forthcoming DS N°7 and the Lancia Gamma: in 1, the bonnet has been lowered by 5 cm, which is enormous in architectural terms, in 2 the windscreen has been moved back, in 3 the windscreen bay makes it possible to lower the dashboard by 5 cm, in 4 the roof has been lowered by 6 cm, which has a major impact on the SCx in particular, in 5 the rear seats of the N°8 can be tilted further (30°) and in 6 the stern has been lengthened to reflect the more formal positioning of the DS N°8. DS Automobiles is therefore the first brand to benefit from this evolution of the STLA Medium, and the design team, led by Thierry Métroz, has taken advantage of this package to offer good interior space in row 2, despite the dynamic, plunging line imposed by the fastback concept.
Next, let’s look at the technical architecture of the DS N°8 which, like any 100% electric architecture, has its advantages and disadvantages. Above, although the ‘H’ point line (at hip level) is classically positioned in relation to the reference plane (in 1), the cabin cell is raised because of the presence of the batteries under the floor, in 2. This is the basis of a 100% electric architecture which imposes a more generous height than that of a combustion engine car, but here it is kept under control at 1.58 m on the DS N°8.
Thierry Métroz tells us that ”work on the modified platform began in 2018, before the first drawings for the D85 project. It took a year working with the architecture teams to make the changes we wanted to the STLA Medium. All these modifications enabled us to give a real elegance to the silhouette, which is more of a saloon than an SUV. This fastback silhouette is very aerodynamically efficient. It’s also a real weight saver”, with a final figure of 2.1 tonnes.
DS N°8 AND LANCIA GAMMA: 100% ELECTRIC OR NOT?
Since we’re talking about the next Lancia Gamma, future cousin of the DS N°8, let’s put it opposite the latter. We asked Thierry Métroz if the future Lancia would indeed benefit from this ‘EVO’ platform. ”Yes, Lancia will use this architecture. We designed it for the DS N°8, for the next DS, which will benefit from all these architectural developments and advantages, and Lancia will use it for the Gamma.” The first important piece of information is that the Lancia will be shorter than the DS N°8, which is 4.82 m long. At around 4.60 m, the Italian will be closer in size to the Peugeot e3008, but with sleeker proportions thanks to the STLA Medium ‘EVO’ platform.
We then asked Cyprien Laurentie – product manager for the DS N°8 – whether it will also be offered with a hybrid internal combustion engine, as Lancia has announced for its future Gamma. The possibility of a ‘return’ to hybridisation on a DS could happen on the model following the DS N°8 (the DS N°7). If we are to believe the words of the brand’s CEO, Olivier François, those of the DS N°8 product manager and industrial logic, then it would be the next DS N°7 that could be multi-energy in order to ensure significant volumes, while the DS N°8 would remain 100% electric. DS Automobiles officially announces in its press release that ”the DS N°8 is the first exclusively 100% electric vehicle created by the Marque – and more widely by the Stellantis Group in Europe.” Our colleagues at L’Argus think otherwise. Stay tuned…
AERODYNAMICS: THE MAIN THEME OF THE STUDY
The DS brand can be proud of the aerodynamics of its N°8 car. Not because it sets records in every area (although it does…), but above all because the impact of aerodynamics has not detracted from the design. On the contrary, the two worlds have gone hand in hand: ”every part that makes up the bodywork has been studied in the wind tunnel. All the work on the aerodynamics represents an increase in range of 60 km WLTP and 75 km on the motorway. This technological feat has been achieved without compromising on the appeal of the exterior design. The Cx of the N°8 is just 0.24, for an SCx of 0.63 dm2, among the best in its category.”
The manufacturer specifies that ”this aero-efficiency is completed by the controlled air inlets (above): mobile flaps integrated into the front bumper. When they close, the aerodynamic gain is 95% compared with a conventional air intake – equivalent to an increase of 22 km on the motorway – and a further 40% compared with competing systems.”
There’s also a discreet rear spoiler above, which helps to reduce the car’s Cx.) And this is where the DS N°8 joins its 1982 predecessor: the Citroën BX! The huge rear hatch, which gives a clear view of the boot entrance (up to 620 litres under the parcel shelf), is made from composite materials and incorporates the shapes and cut-outs of the spoiler in a single piece! The doors and bonnet are made of aluminium.
FINE-TUNED ACOUSTICS
DS N°8 is part of Stellantis’ Premium division, which currently comprises three brands: Alfa-Romeo, DS Automobiles and Lancia. As such, the newcomer aims to highlight French ‘savoir-faire’, particularly in terms of choice of materials, quality of assembly, design and on-board experience.
Produced on the same platform and in the same factory as the forthcoming Lancia Gamma, the DS N°8 attempts to make a difference with its acoustics: more than two square metres of absorbent material in the engine compartment, an acoustic windscreen of almost 5 mm, acoustic front and rear windows, elaborate seals (below), and so on. But with the carry-over imposed by the group’s former boss, Carlos Tavares, the Gamma could logically carry over some or all of these elements…
Above, a detailed view of the rear door of DS N°8. In 1, a top door felt at the roof junction. In 2, delicate work carried out on the opening handle, for watertightness and acoustics. In 3, the classic door perimeter seal. In 4, an additional seal and in 5, the overhang of the outer finish of the rocker panel.
THE ‘X’ STEERING WHEEL: DON’T BE AFRAID!
Let’s be honest, we were a bit scared by the design of the steering wheel we saw in a spy photo this summer! LIGNES/auto was able to take this strange ‘X’-shaped steering wheel in hand (when stationary, of course) and all our fears vanished in one fell swoop because, contrary to what the photo above might lead you to believe, it has a contained diameter.
In addition, its ‘X’-shaped arms facilitate the 10:10 position, while two lugs provide reassurance in the 9:15 position. Above all, it facilitates access and visibility of the controls located on either side of the hub. What’s more, the DS N°8 will not be driven on the special stages of the Monte Carlo Rally, so… Also of note below is the two-tiered centre console: a slim upper section in 1, with a telephone charger compartment, and a lower section in 2 with a large storage tray.
AN INNOVATIVE ‘EXTENDED BITON’ COLOUR. WELL, ALMOST…
Thierry Métroz tells us that ”the ASL inspiration on the front – see our post on this subject – is repeated with the ‘extended biton’. The black of the roof is extended over the central part of the bonnet, which is a world first for a mass-produced biton bonnet.” It’s a challenge that has been met thanks to inkjet printing, just like with your printer. But better and stronger! Its application process eliminates the need for a baking phase, thereby limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
This is a technology that has been developed by BMW, for example, to print its M3 using the same technique (see below), but Thierry Métroz rightly points out that the DS N°8 is ”an on-line operation for a mass-produced model, not a bespoke operation. The extended biton is a reference to the world of DS Automobiles, but it is above all a reference to the great French bodywork. In the 1930s, almost all luxury cars, including Bugatti cars, adopted the biton.”
DS LUMINASCREEN, A NOSE THAT SHINES
The major innovation of the DS N°8 is the Luninascreen. Thierry Métroz explains that ”here, the old radiator grille becomes a luminous element – standard on the second Étoile level – with the illuminated logo and vertical graphics on either side. It’s a piece that required a lot of work, particularly in view of the regulations.” The designers rushed to design this luminascreen as soon as European regulations made it possible to illuminate the logo.
For the next DS models, Thierry Métroz reveals that ”our luminascreen will change proportions depending on the model. The successor to the DS7 will retain this principle, but with a slightly different geometry.And when we make a smaller DS, we’ll play around with the proportions again, but we’ll always keep this sign of recognition.”
Although this is a first for DS Automobiles, the idea of the Luminascreen could become a major trend, with screens that could, depending on the legislation in different countries, display messages when stationary… or even while driving. The all-new GAC Hyptec HL (below right, alongside DS No. 8) was unveiled on 26 November, also featuring an ‘active, illuminated grille’.
THIERRY MÉTROZ TALKS ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THE DS N°8
LIGNES/auto reveals some of the design secrets behind the D85 project that became DS N°8. Welcome to the DS Automobiles studio, where it all began for DS N°8. An emblematic place, since it was here that Jean-Pierre Ploué’s team set up shop when he was appointed head of Citroën design at the start of the 2000s. He could not then have imagined that ‘his’ studio would become that of a new French brand with the historic name of DS…
The schedule below clearly explains the progress of the programme, which was largely carried out during the Covid pandemic. Thierry Métroz explains that the first manifesto (in green on the document below) ”was produced in 2019 with the ASL style based on the STLA Médium platform in its “EVO” version. We added the fastback silhouette and tested it with customers to validate the style and silhouette. The very first test got excellent feedback, particularly on the silhouette, which was not seen as an SUV and was much more elegant.” Thierry Métroz explains, however, that the real start of the D85 project (future DS N°8) really began in 2020, once the architectural concept had been validated by the manifesto. And that was during the period of confinement caused by Covid 2020. The teams worked by video-conference, but this imposed calm allowed them to work on the design in even greater detail.
The first design review is called ‘CT’ for… Carlos Tavares, the now ex-CEO of Stellantis, and takes place during 2020. It really launched the project with the styling theme that had won over the boss. After a customer test in 2021 (in two stages: Northern European customers and Southern European customers), the final style freeze test will take place in 2022. Thierry Métroz tells us ”that the design was 98% that of the DS N°8, but at the time, the car had to come out on top in the test. We succeeded, so there was the styling freeze stage and we were able to spend tens of millions of euros on tooling.” As for the 2% difference between the test and the production run, Thierry Métroz explains that ”it’s mainly a question of technical and economic convergence, or the fine-tuning of colours and materials. There was no longer any question of style.” The pre-production run will be launched in 2023.
Between the 2019 manifesto above, and the DS N°8 styling freeze below, almost three years have passed. The design has clearly evolved. In 1: the dynamic fastback theme seen on the ASL will be retained on the manifesto AND on the production car. In 2: a major styling exercise has added muscle to the rear wing and simplified the rear panel. In 3, the extended biton of the ASL concept and manifesto has been retained on the bonnet. In 4 : the ‘fins’ on either side of the bonnet have disappeared… In 5, the DRLs have been simplified. In 6, the sides have been made less concave.
This detail is representative of the work carried out at the request of Frédéric Soubirou, head of exterior design at DS Automobiles, on the area listed in 2 on the photos above. The rear wing has abandoned the roundness of the manifesto to subtly regain its strength, thanks to a hollowed volume and a more assertive rib line. It starts at the fire and ends at the rear door. It is then followed by the line that runs towards the front headlamp, and the offset of these two lines on the side is reminiscent of one of the strengths of the design of the 1974 CX, by Robert Opron. The muscle of the wing is complemented by a line that bends slightly towards the wheel arch.
‘DS, IT’S TIME TO TIDY UP YOUR ROOM’.
DS N°8 marks the start of a new era for the French brand. It’s a godsend and, at the same time, a little headache that needs to be sorted out over time: consistency in the reading of the brand image, in other words, the reading of the logos and model names. Obviously, we are no longer in the days when Citroën struggled with its ‘DS line’ to position all the brand and model logos. The Citroën-DS Numéro 9 concept car is proof of this, with the name of the concept car appearing only on its number plate, leaving room for the DS logo and the Citroën name, below!
Today, the DS4 features the ‘DS’ logo on its tailgate, whereas it disappears on the DS N°8 in favour of the brand name, with the ‘N°8’ located below it. Will the arrival of the 100% electric DS 4 X-Tense be an opportunity for DS to link this model to the identity of the DS N°8?And what about the small logo on the side above the rear door pillar, still on the DS4, but non-existent in this position on the DS N°8? The new identity needs to be put in place and, unless there is a costly restyling, it will probably be a few years before everything is back in order with the future DS N°7, N°3 and N°4…
Two equipment levels will be available in 2025: Pallas and Étoile. The latter will feature the Luminascreen (illuminated grille) as standard. The Pallas level will be available in two-wheel drive versions only, with two ranges: 572 km (230 bhp) or 750 km (245 bhp).The Star level adds a 350 bhp four-wheel drive version with a range of 686 km.
The equipment list is not yet available, but the interior ambience is (below). The Pallas level comes as standard with DS-black Basalt fabric upholstery, with the option of DS-grey and Eternal Blue fabric. The Étoile level comes as standard with Alcantara-Eternal Blue, and there are two options: Nappa leather-Basalt Black and Nappa leather-Chestnut Brown.You’ve got time to make your choice…
Don’t forget to read our other article on the DS N°8: the legacy of the 2020 ASL concept. Furthermore, with its blinkers mainly focused on the world of design in the broadest sense of the term, LIGNES/auto did not mention the battery charging characteristics, fuel consumption or the countless driving aids of the DS N°8. Our specialist colleagues do this very well, and we salute them.
