DS N°8 revealed: Electric flagship launches with three motors

With a range of more than 435 miles, it will arrive in 2025

Photo by: DS

By: Stefan Leichsenring

Dec 12, 2024 at 4:00am ET

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The world of crossover coupés is enriched by a new model. It is called DS N°8 and is the new flagship of the French manufacturer. Based on the STLA Medium platform, like the Peugeot 3008 and 5008, Opel-Vauxhall Grandland and so on, it has high-tech interior content, plenty of space for all occupants and plenty of luxury.

Available with purely electric drives, powered by battery packs with a maximum capacity of 97.2 kWh, it can have either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Here are all the details.

DS N°8, the exterior
DS N°8, the interior
DS N°8, motors
DS N°8, prices and equipment

DS N°8, the exterior

The new DS flagship is 4.82 metres long, 1.90 metres wide, 1.58 metres high and has a very generous wheelbase of 2.90 metres. It is in fact an electric D-segment crossover with coupe-like forms thanks to which, according to the manufacturer, it has been possible to achieve a drag coefficient (Cx) of just 0.24, despite a rather large frontal area of 3.5 square metres.

DS No. 8 (2025), the front is dominated by the grille with a new design

Photo by: DS

DS N°8, the dimensions

	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase
DS N°8	4.82 m	1.90 m	1.58 m	2.90 m

One of the aesthetic highlights of this new design are the front door handles recessed into the doors which rise independently when necessary, while the rear doors are integrated into the C-pillar.

Just like most new electric cars, the front of the DS N°8 is equipped with electrically operated air intakes, which can be opened or closed by means of flaps to improve range, while all alloy wheels, ranging in size from 19 to 21 inches) have an optimised design aimed at improving efficiency.

DS No. 8 (2025), the rear

Photo by: DS

Finally, the tail has also been designed by French engineers to offer the best aerodynamic performance, without of course the excesses of the 'long tail' sports car. The boot is accessed via a generous electrically-operated tailgate, flanked by large T-shaped lights and topped by a steeply raked large rear window.

DS N°8, the interior

Moving on to the cabin, the interior of the DS N°8 features fine materials such as distinctively textured aluminium installed over a large area of the dashboard. But that's not all. There is also Nappa leather upholstered seats with integrated headrests and massage, heating and cooling functions.

DS No. 8 (2025), the aluminium dashboard

Photo by: DS

As far as technology is concerned, the instrumentation is shown on a 10.25-inch display with a 16-inch touchscreen in the centre. Completing the technological equipment are a new-generation head-up display with augmented reality function, an interior rear-view mirror with camera and a night-vision system that highlights dangers in the instrument display.

In addition, the navigation system can now automatically plan the necessary charging stops, taking into account the desired charge level on arrival. The battery is thus prepared for fast charging and, according to DS' statement at this early stage, a few months after market launch the on-board charger itself will also support the Plug & Charge, so there will be no need to identify yourself via an app or charging card.

Finally, as on all new DS cars, the infotainment system also features ChatGPT-based voice recognition and, in terms of audio, the on-board system is a Focal Electra 3D with 14 speakers. As icing on the cake, then, there are four USB-C ports and compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

DS No. 8 (2025), the new infotainment system with 16-inch monitor

Photo by: DS

As for accessories, an optional glass roof with a coating designed to retain infrared rays and thus keep the heat out in summer and retained in winter can be added when ordering, according to the company.

Finally, the boot has a capacity of 620 litres, a variable number thanks to the possibility of folding down the rear seats in a 40/20/40 configuration; the maximum volume has not yet been specified.

DS No. 8 (2025), the rear seats and the large glass roof

Photos by: DS

DS No. 8 (2025), the new steering wheel

DS N°8, the engines

Turning to the mechanicals, let's start by saying that the new DS N°8 is the first STLA Medium-based car available in a Long Range version with all-wheel drive, i.e. with a 97.2 kWh net capacity battery and two motors, one per axle.

The 'entry level' version, on the other hand, is equipped with the smallest available 74 kWh battery and so, at least at this early stage, the car will not be equipped with the 82 kWh intermediate battery found on its 'cousin' Opel-Vauxhall Grandland.

SD N° 8 (2025)

Photo by: DS

In any case, the 4x4 drive combined with the large battery is an important feature for the Stellantis Group which, at least until now, had only marketed the 97.2 kWh battery in combination with front-wheel drive on the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008. At least at this early stage, therefore, the car can be configured at the order stage in three very different versions:

	DS N°8	DS N°8 Long Range	DS N°8 Long Range AWD
Traction Power (continuous and peak) Maximum torque	Front 230-260 PS 345 Nm	Front 245-280 PS, 345 Nm	Integral 350-378 PS, 511 Nm
0-62 mph / top speed	7.7 sec. / 118 mph	7.8 sec. / 118 mph	5.4 sec / 118 mph
Declared consumption (WLTP)	4.8 mi/kWh	4.8 mi/kWh	4.4 mi/kWh
Net battery capacity	74.0 kWh	97.2 kWh	97.2 kWh
WLTP range	approx. 355 miles	approx. 466 miles	approx. 426 miles
Maximum AC/DC charging power	11 / 160 kW
DC charging time	27 min (20-80%)
Charging speed	1.6 kWh/min	2.2 kWh/min	2.2 kWh/min
Charging range	approx. 7.9 mi/min	approx. 10.3 mi/min	approx. 9.4 mi/min
Price	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.

Apart from this information, DS has not gone into detail at this early stage about the type of motors used on the new flagship, however, it is likely that they will all be permanent magnet synchronous motors as on other electrics based on the same platform.

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Speaking of recharging, finally, there is an 11 kW on-board charger for alternating current as standard, with the 22 kW charger, on the other hand, to be available as an option at a later date. In both cases these are bi-directional elements.

SD N° 8 (2025)

Photo by: DS

DS N°8, prices and equipment

The new DS N°8 will launch in Europe in the first quarter of 2025 and will initially be available in the Pallas and Etoile trim packages, both very rich with the DS Active Scan Suspension system as standard, which automatically adjusts the shock absorbers according to the road surface via a solenoid valve, and predictive adaptive cruise control. Prices have not yet been announced.