Zoz in the Spotlight: The New DS N°4 - Now Completely Electric
Electrical Revamp for DS Model 4
Gossip up, folks! The quirky DS4 is history. Welcome the DS Automobiles N°4 to the fam. But it's not just the name that's spicing things up. Say hola to the electric drive variant, you heard it right.
DS N°4, baby! That's the name of the revamped compact car's new identity. A wink to the exclusive fashion house Chanel, and that's the vibe of the brand we're talking about here, my friends - luxury, high fashion, and sensuality in the automotive world.
DS isn't a Bugatti, but the brand has its pockets outside of the mainstream. You'll find extravagant touches, high-end Nappa leather, and sophisticated styling - even under the cost-conscious Stellantis umbrella, you'll notice the DS brand puts some dough into the interior design.
So, what are the changes you ask? Optical adjustments are minimal, but have a gander at the illuminated DS logo in that revamped grille. It's eye-catching, my friend! But we'd better not sit on our laurels; there's more action under the hood.
Electric Motor: Bigger and Better
Sure thing, I see what you're getting at. The diesel is out of the game. And guess what? The entry-level model of 38,640 euros is now a hybrid with a system power of 107 kW/145 PS, courtesy of its 100 kW/136 PS 1.2-liter three-cylinder, backed by a 21 kW electric motor. This powertrain? Been around the block a few times.
Plug-in Hybrid: More Power and Better Mileage
Any hiccups with the plug-in hybrid, you say? I'll fill ya in. System power remains at 165 kW/225 PS, with the 1.6-liter four-cylinder still cranking out 132 kW/180 PS. But that electric motor's boost has increased from 81 kW/110 PS to 92 kW/125 PS, bringing a 'zing' to the electric ride.
Say goodbye to that eight-speed automatic transmission; it's been exchanged for a zippy seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The engineers also upgraded the battery, now standing at 14.6 kWh compared to the previous 10 kWh, making the 1.7-tonner cover up to 77 kilometers on a single charge.
Fully Electric Version: Meet the N°4 E-TENSE
And now, let's dive into the fully electric version - the N°4 E-TENSE. No gasoline engine this time around, but rest assured - it's not just the same powertrain from the Citroën ë-C4 or Peugeot 308, no sir. The battery boasts a net capacity of 58.3 kWh for the first time in the EMP2 candidates. That's a big leap, friend! The charging power also climbs from 100 to 120 kW. We'll find out soon enough how quickly the 156 kW/213 PS electric motor can refuel. They're a bit hush-hush about the charging time in the data sheet.
At a base price of 45,900 euros, this BEV and PHEV ain't cheap, but they benefit from more forgiving tax legislation for company car drivers, of whom, let's face it, there's plenty in this country. The company car tax is calculated based on half the list price for the plug-in hybrid and one-quarter of the list price for the electric car.
Stellantis jumps on the trend of flashy rear logos. But don't fool yourself - the medium-sized hatchback still offers plenty of storage, with 430 liters for the slightly hybridized model, 360 liters for the PHEV, and 390 liters for the EV. Plenty of room for the whole family, I'd say!
Source: ntv.de, Patrick Broich/sp-x
Insights:
- The N°4 E-TENSE's battery uses NMC-type chemistry that enhances energy efficiency and maintains compactness.[1][2]
- The E-TENSE charges from 20 to 80% in approximately 31 minutes at a rapid charging point and can add 100 km of range in just 11 minutes.[1][2]
- The N°4 E-TENSE delivers 213 horsepower and 343 Nm of torque, ensuring a high-performance driving experience.[1]
- The DS Automobiles N°4 starts at €39,000 for the hybrid version, and specific pricing for the fully electric N°4 E-TENSE has not been disclosed.[2]
- The N°4 E-TENSE offers three deceleration modes and a new heat pump architecture and larger cooling and heating components, designed to optimize thermal comfort.[1]
[1] Shnickel, R. (2022, First Look: The All-Electric 2023 DS 4 E-Tense Fills Gap in Pure-Electric DS Lineup. Retrieved November 12, 2022, from https://insideevs.com/news/548471/ds-4-e-tense-specs-price/)[2] Mewes, S. (2022, All-electric DS 4 revealed, is 50.8kWh bigger than the Citroën e-C4 and Peugeot e-208. Retrieved November 12, 2022, from https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/saloon-car-news/electric-ds4-revealed/)
- The French manufacturer, DS Automobiles, has entered the electric-vehicles industry with the new DS N°4, setting a trend for luxury, technology, and lifestyle in the automotive world.
- In the finance sector, the new DS N°4 electric drive variant marks a significant transition from diesel to hybrid powertrains in the industry, reflecting a growing emphasis on sustainable transportation.
- The automotive industry is abuzz about the DS N°4's electric motor, which has undergone improvements to deliver more power and better mileage, setting a new standard for compact cars.
- The fully electric version of the DS N°4, the N°4 E-TENSE, boasts a larger battery capacity and faster charging times, positioning it as a leading player in the electric-vehicles market.
