The funky new DS3 Crossback goes all-electric
Latest stage in DS Automobiles' rebirth has been revealed, as the DS3 becomes a crossover
DS Automobiles has revealed its second car since officially breaking off from Citroen. The DS3 Crossback is a premium crossover that will have a fully electric option shortly after going on sale late next year.
The new model will indirectly replace the existing DS3 hatchback, as the French car manufacturer evolves its range to take advantage of buyers' penchant for SUVs and the increasing prevalence of electrification.
Don't expect Tesla-baiting performance from the EV, though. This is pitched as an upmarket electric crossover that can seamlessly slot into family life, rather than revolutionising the market. As such, it has a 50kWh lithium ion battery that powers a 134bhp electric motor, which puts it on-par with its petrol- and diesel-powered equivalents.
It'll do the 0-60mph sprint in around 8.5 seconds, which is respectable, though as with many electric cars its top speed is quite low at 93mph – not that most owners will ever get close to that. DS says its range is 186 miles on the new WLTP cycle, slightly better than the excellent all-electric Nissan Leaf.
DS wants to offer hybrid and electric versions alongside conventionally powered versions of its models, rather than building bespoke EVs. As such, it's forced to shove batteries wherever it can, and in the DS3 Crossback, they've been slotted into the hole left by the fuel tank and transmission tunnel, so interior space is identical across all powertrains.
Buyers who aren't quite ready to go electric but still fancy some quirky crossover action and interior quilting will have the option of three-cylinder petrol engines and four-cylinder diesel engines.
What is DS Automobiles?
DS Automobiles is a French car manufacturer, which is part of the PSA Group that also owns Peugeot, Citroen, Opel and Vauxhall.
Between 2009 and 2014 it was the premium arm of Citroen, building more upmarket models on the same platform as its mainstream sister brand's cars. But in 2014 it became a distinct car manufacturer, though still owned by PSA, and later released the DS7 Crossback.
The large SUV was much better than anything DS had built before breaking off from Citroen, so expectations for the new DS3 Crossback will be high.
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Comments (2)
The french finally found back the thing they knew best, style!
That's a different interior.