DS 9 E-Tense 360 ​​4×4: Attack mode

DS 9 E-Tense 360 ​​4×4
attack mode

DS 9 E-Tense 360 ​​4×4

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With DS, the Stellantis group wants to create its own premium feeling that differs from the classic German brands. The DS 9 sedan now gets a boost in horsepower to 265 kW / 360 hp and can keep up with BMW, Audi and Mercedes in terms of power. Does the French power attack have any chance of success?

Sometimes the challenges are hidden in the details. If you browse the price list for the DS 9, you will notice the rims. The 19-inch variants bear appropriate names such as “Monaco” or “Versailles” , while the only 20-inch version is called “Munich”. This is also only available for the new top version E-Tense 360 ​​4×4. The decoding of the French code brings to light a power cure that is necessary to be able to offer cars like the BMW 5 Series. Because with all the fine luxury details, it takes power to be able to score points with German dynamic fans. Schmalz, as the Bavarian says, this DS 9 with 265 kW / 360 hp has enough to keep up with the normal BMW 5 Series and Audi A6. There is also an all-wheel drive that provides traction.

The module comes from the Peugeot 508 PSE. That means a trio of a four-cylinder petrol engine with 147 kW / 200 hp and two electric motors. One with 81 kW / 110 hp is integrated into the eight-speed automatic, the other delivers 83 kW / 113 hp and is coupled to the rear axle. She is also the boss in the ring when it comes to a top speed of 140 km/h purely electrically. If necessary or desired, the front axle engages and all four wheels participate in propulsion. Incidentally, as soon as you switch to 4WD driving mode, constant four-wheel drive is guaranteed, no matter how good the 11.9-kilowatt-hour battery is. “If necessary, we use the combustion engine as a generator,” explains project manager Jean-Philippe Delaire. The electric rear axle is also the reason why the top speed of the constant all-wheel drive is limited to 190 km/h. If you give the DS 9 E-Tense free rein, it sprints from a standing start to a three-digit speed in 5.7 seconds and only rejoins the flowing traffic at 250 km/h. The French carmaker specifies 1.8 liters or 15.5 kWh per 100 kilometers as consumption. During our first test drive over winding country roads, which we mostly completed in the hybrid program, in which the system swings the baton over the use of the three engines, the on-board computer reported 7.3 l/100 km, but only 6.5 kWh /100 km.

These fuel consumption values ​​are only one side of the coin. The DS performance department is behind the new top model, and that’s why the power cure isn’t enough. The French technicians have also adapted the chassis to the dynamic ambitions of the sedan and let the body fly 15 millimeters lower at the front and five millimeters at the rear over the asphalt. Longer wishbones and an increased camber of the front wheels should help when turning, while spacers at the rear compensate for the wider track. The mobile strength training also includes the larger four-piston brakes with 380 x 32 millimeter discs, which only fit under the 20-inch rims.

This technical trick pays off when decelerating. But the fundamentally good Active Scan Suspension chassis is less able to cope with short hits than the less powerful DS-9 versions, which are equipped with 19-inch tires. For all its sportiness, the DS 9 360 E-Tense is also a touring sedan that can easily handle long bumps. The noise-insulating glazing protects the vocal cords of the passengers and the lavishly upholstered seats protect the intervertebral discs. Especially in comfort mode, the monsieur shows care for the passengers. The great strength of the French premium sedan is its relaxed longitudinal dynamics. If you suddenly need to move forward quickly, there is enough power for overtaking maneuvers to be carried out with ease, but the four-cylinder combustion engine makes it clear acoustically that it is required.

Inside, the DS 9 offers fine leather and decorative details, such as the buttons in the center console that respond to light pressure. Operating the infotainment requires a bit of routine, but then it works without any problems. The spirit of synth music icon Jean-Michel Jarre wafts through the interior during the acoustic implementation of the assistance systems with various jingles. A look to Munich remains: a BMW 530e xDrive with 215 kW / 292 hp costs at least 60,400 euros. However, the Bavarian carmaker has some extras gilded, which should raise the price well above the 67,000 euros of the DS 9 E-Tense 360 ​​4×4 in the top Rivoli+ equipment, offers a lot and the surcharge for refinements that are not absolutely necessary, such as the Park Pilot ( “autonomous” parking with a driver on board) for 450 euros or the night vision assistant for 1,200 euros. In contrast, the DS Active Scan Suspension chassis is standard. The logical next step would be to give the DS 9 E-Tense 360 ​​4×4 the 15.6-kilowatt-hour battery of its little brother, the DS 9 E-Tense 250, thereby increasing the all-electric range from the current 51 kilometers (WLTP). Initial considerations are already underway. If you don’t want to wait that long, you should stop by the DS dealer in April.

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