First Look: New DS No 8

DS Automobiles DS N°8
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Taken from the ‘Electrifying’ YouTube Channel:

Are you feeling brave? Because you could choose the safe route for your next electric car and have a Tesla, Audi or BMW. Or perhaps you could scare your company’s fleet manager and set the neighbours talking by choosing this… the DS Number 8.

It’s fair to say that the DS brand hasn’t been a runaway success in the UK. Or anywhere, really, except in the car park of the French embassy. The posh arm of Citroën sold less than 100 cars in October, which is, however you look at it, not many.

Could this car change that? Well, the new naming strategy is part of the plan, with the ‘Number 8’ clearly meant to mirror some other luxury French brands - such as Chanel’s perfume.

Anyway, there are some other numbers which make the DS look seriously tempting. Like a range of 469 miles, and a price which we’ve been told will undercut the usual German rivals and take on that other curveball choice, the Polestar 4. Think around £60,000 ish.

That massive range requires the biggest battery, which is borrowed from the Peugeot 5008 and is just under 100kWh. There is also a 74kWh pack which gives a 358 mile range. That’s really competitive in terms of efficiency.

There are three motor choices – 230 and 245 hp with front wheel drive or a 350 bhp twin motor. The car will add another 30bhp for short periods if you boot the throttle because you need to overtake.

That means 0-62 times of between 7.7 and 5.4 seconds. DS know that’s not Tesla-worrying but wanted to prioritise efficiency, and it should be fast enough for most drivers.

To discover more, join Tom as he takes a first look around the new DS Number 8. Is it a refreshing new entry to the electric car market, or it time that Stellantis called time on the DS brand? Let us know in the comments.

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I do like the No8, I was in the market for a DS9 but couldn’t get one. I personally think the DS range is very underrated which inturn leads to exclusivity, no bad thing I feel.

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Lovely looking car.

The full range of DS are indeed nice looking cars, shame though that the DS brand still struggles to get the sales to match it’s rivals.
Dare I say the build quality is it’s grey area.

I’ve had my new DS4 E Tense Performance Plus for just over 3 months, and due to issues, I’ve already decided that I doubt I would stick with he DS brand for my next car.

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That’s a shame as I’ve had 3 DS’s and all have been reasonable, not without some foibles but I haven’t had the problems you have experienced.

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With such engine choice like currently Stellantis have there is not much to invite clients with from BMW, Mercedes or Audi.

They should at least bring back 1.6 Petrol with MHEV like they did with 1.2 then maybe sales will go up.

For example, new Peugeot 5008 is available with 1.2 Petrol MHEV or 1.6 PHEV (which doesn’t make a lot of sense for many people without access to wall socket) then electric.

For example in VW You have 1.5 and 2.0 petrol in options with MHEV, PHEV or no electric assist and even diesels - that’s a choice and that attracts clients.

DS8 only in electric version also limits the potential client list which i don’t understand since STLA Medium can accommodate combustion engines.

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