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DS Automobiles will once again cause a stir with a unique Supercar when the avant-garde brand unveils DS E-TENSE at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show next week. The electric-powered car’s luxury craftsmanship and cutting edge technologies will make it noteworthy not just for its striking appearance, but also for its hi-tech capability and exceptional performance.
It will perfectly encapsulate the brands stylistic and technological vision, and point towards DS’s future with its high-performance electric powertrain.
A year after the official launch of the brand, DS Automobiles is unveiling the head-turning DS E-TENSE at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, an electric-powered Supercar that silently produces 516Nm of torque, 402hp and zero emissions.
Measuring 4.72m long and 1.29m high, DS’s ambition with the DS E-TENSE is to create a high-performance electric GT car that brings together state-of-the-art technology and avant-garde design.
Avant-garde design meets cutting-edge technology
All those who set eyes on the DS E-TENSE will instantly notice its unique styling, flowing lines and sense of perpetual motion. With the silhouette of a grand tourer coupé emphasised by a central chrome-plated spine and an exclusive metallic green ametrine body colour, the DS E-TENSE evokes one simple desire, and that is to be driven.
DS applied its avant-garde design styling to this vehicle and similar to the Divine DS, removed the rear windscreen at the back, giving the design team a huge amount of freedom to mould its contours and make use of digital rear-view technology.
A unique DS trademark feature, the front and rear lights were the object of scrupulous attention, with the DS LED Vision headlamps that are jewel-like in design. The daytime running lights – picked out as if in beaded stitches, a nod to the world of high fashion – accentuate the car’s expressive gaze. At the rear, the indicators integrated into the roof are inspired by the original DS from 1955. Finally, the light signature’s show-stoppers are the tail lights: equipped with full LED technology and scale-like in design, they seem to spring to life whenever the car is in use, setting the trend for future DS models.
As for the car’s interior, it is an example of the alchemy that occurs when French savoir-faire is combined with superior materials. DS upholsterers took 800 hours to design, test and produce the interior, with particular emphasis on the upgraded watchstrap style design on the seats and dashboard. Other noteworthy features include the cold steel used for the dashboard, creating a futuristic look, and the strongly marked tulip-shape of the steering wheel.
Like the previous Divine DS concept, the E-Tense has no rear windscreen. The rearwards view is instead provided by a camera, the view from which is displayed on a screen mounted where you’d usually find a rear-view mirror. The E-Tense also features ‘stitched’ daytime running lights and rotating LEDs in its headlights for beam aiming.
Inside you’ll find a blend of luxurious, modern materials and design features. DS says it took the upholsterers 800 hours to design, test and fit the interior – and those dramatic, distinctive dash structures are inspired by ‘parametric design’. The driver gets a modern 12in high-definition display, providing a whole host of instrumentation, while a 10in touchscreen in the centre deals with media and navigation displays.
Other modern touches include a ‘clean cabin’ filtration system that purifies incoming air. There’s also a one-off watch, designed by BRM Chronographes, that’s fitted to the centre console. It’s angled and designed in such a way that you can see it while driving, regardless of whether it’s fitted in its cubbyhole or adorning your wrist. Wrapping up the high-end cabin is a 640W nine-speaker audio system provided by Hi-Fi company Focal.
In the pictures you can spot several other features, including paddle–shifters behind the rear wheels – implying that the DS has a variable regenerative braking system, or perhaps even a user-controllable gearbox. It's also worth noting the conventional door mirrors, air vents, steering wheel that looks like it has room for an airbag and switchgear elements lifted from existing models. Perhaps this isn’t as much of a concept as DS would have you believe.
It will perfectly encapsulate the brands stylistic and technological vision, and point towards DS’s future with its high-performance electric powertrain.
A year after the official launch of the brand, DS Automobiles is unveiling the head-turning DS E-TENSE at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, an electric-powered Supercar that silently produces 516Nm of torque, 402hp and zero emissions.
Measuring 4.72m long and 1.29m high, DS’s ambition with the DS E-TENSE is to create a high-performance electric GT car that brings together state-of-the-art technology and avant-garde design.
Avant-garde design meets cutting-edge technology
All those who set eyes on the DS E-TENSE will instantly notice its unique styling, flowing lines and sense of perpetual motion. With the silhouette of a grand tourer coupé emphasised by a central chrome-plated spine and an exclusive metallic green ametrine body colour, the DS E-TENSE evokes one simple desire, and that is to be driven.
DS applied its avant-garde design styling to this vehicle and similar to the Divine DS, removed the rear windscreen at the back, giving the design team a huge amount of freedom to mould its contours and make use of digital rear-view technology.
A unique DS trademark feature, the front and rear lights were the object of scrupulous attention, with the DS LED Vision headlamps that are jewel-like in design. The daytime running lights – picked out as if in beaded stitches, a nod to the world of high fashion – accentuate the car’s expressive gaze. At the rear, the indicators integrated into the roof are inspired by the original DS from 1955. Finally, the light signature’s show-stoppers are the tail lights: equipped with full LED technology and scale-like in design, they seem to spring to life whenever the car is in use, setting the trend for future DS models.
As for the car’s interior, it is an example of the alchemy that occurs when French savoir-faire is combined with superior materials. DS upholsterers took 800 hours to design, test and produce the interior, with particular emphasis on the upgraded watchstrap style design on the seats and dashboard. Other noteworthy features include the cold steel used for the dashboard, creating a futuristic look, and the strongly marked tulip-shape of the steering wheel.
Like the previous Divine DS concept, the E-Tense has no rear windscreen. The rearwards view is instead provided by a camera, the view from which is displayed on a screen mounted where you’d usually find a rear-view mirror. The E-Tense also features ‘stitched’ daytime running lights and rotating LEDs in its headlights for beam aiming.
Inside you’ll find a blend of luxurious, modern materials and design features. DS says it took the upholsterers 800 hours to design, test and fit the interior – and those dramatic, distinctive dash structures are inspired by ‘parametric design’. The driver gets a modern 12in high-definition display, providing a whole host of instrumentation, while a 10in touchscreen in the centre deals with media and navigation displays.
Other modern touches include a ‘clean cabin’ filtration system that purifies incoming air. There’s also a one-off watch, designed by BRM Chronographes, that’s fitted to the centre console. It’s angled and designed in such a way that you can see it while driving, regardless of whether it’s fitted in its cubbyhole or adorning your wrist. Wrapping up the high-end cabin is a 640W nine-speaker audio system provided by Hi-Fi company Focal.
In the pictures you can spot several other features, including paddle–shifters behind the rear wheels – implying that the DS has a variable regenerative braking system, or perhaps even a user-controllable gearbox. It's also worth noting the conventional door mirrors, air vents, steering wheel that looks like it has room for an airbag and switchgear elements lifted from existing models. Perhaps this isn’t as much of a concept as DS would have you believe.
- Dimensions: 4.72 L x 2.08 W x 1.29 H
- Engine: 100% electric 402hp
- Acceleration: 4.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km
- Range: 360km (urban cycle) or 310km (mixed cycle)
- Maximum torque: 516Nm
- Top speed: 250km/h
- Weight: 1.8 tons
- Tyres: MICHELIN Pilot Supersport Front: 245/35 ZR 20 Back: 305 /30 ZR 20
- 2-wheel drive system
- Carbon monocoque chassis
- Sound: Focal Utopia system, ninz loudspeakers, 640W, with a Digital Signal Processor for tuning
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