DS Automobiles is a French luxury automotive brand, which was launched in 2009. Though it was initially part of the PSA Group (Citroën DS), it was launched as a standalone brand in 2014. The French marque was developed by the PSA Group to include a more premium brand in its portfolio. DS Automobiles was inspired by the original DS unveiled at the 1955 Paris Motor Show. The company is also involved with Formula E.
In fact, electrification has been part of the brands strategy from its creation. The company claims, ‘the lowest average CO2 emissions in Europe (100.2 g/km of CO2 according to the WLTP cycle per registered car in the first half of 2021) and more than a third of its cars are electrified. This strategy is accelerating: from 2024, every new DS Automobiles model will be exclusively 100% electric”. The company currently has the following battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs):
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
The DS 3 has been available since 2019, but has been updated with improvements in 2023. The new all-electric DS 3 E-Tense compact SUV has an improved electric range, more technology, better performance (more powerful electric motor) and an updated styling. The manufacturer has also dropped ‘Crossback’ from the model name.
The DS 3 E-Tense is available in only one EV battery size: 54 kWh (usable: 50.8 kWh), with a claimed electric range up to 270 miles (WLTP). Even adjusting for real-world driving conditions, the pure electric DS 3 should be able to achieve over 200 emission-free miles on a single charge. Given the compact size and e-range, the e-SUV is well suited for urban drivers, but also just as useful for longer motorway journeys.
The DS 3 EV offers DC charging up to 100 kW DC. Neither the fastest, nor the slowest DC rapid charging speed. The electric car can be charged up to 80% in 30 minutes at 100 kW DC. For the more commonly available 50 kW DC rapid charger, the EV can be charged 10% to 80% in 62 minutes. But it is worth noting that the majority of EV charging sessions are done at home, and usually overnight, when electricity prices are cheaper.
The DS 3 electric car incorporates an 11 kW AC onboard charger as standard. Using a dedicated 3-phase EV charger like myenergi zappi, the EV can be fully charged in 5 hours. However, most homes in the UK are powered by single-phase power supply, and single-phase EV charging will take longer (7 hours 30 minutes). We at e-zoomed discourage the use of a 3-PIN domestic plug for charging an electric car.
We also recommend a ‘topping up’ approach to EV charging. This way, charging times are shorter and the regular charging of the EV battery is beneficial for the long-term maintenance of the EV battery. DS Automobiles offers a warranty up to 8 years or 100,000 miles. It covers up to 70% of original battery capacity.
The pure electric DS 3 E-Tense SUV is available only as a front-wheel drive (FWD). The electric car can achieve 0-62 mph in 9 seconds (max power: 155 hp/ torque: 260 Nm). The top speed of the electric vehicle (EV) is 93 mph. The EV incorporates regenerative braking. The EV does not incorporate one-pedal driving.
The exterior and interior styling of the DS 3 E-Tense, though an acquired taste, is certainly distinct (the same is the case for the interior design). In general, the EV does not feel as spacious as alternatives. Moreover, the smaller windows in the rear does impact the rear-view visibility, but also make the cabin feel less spacious. The boot space is limited to 350 L.
The EV has a decent level of technology and equipment on offer, to include: keyless start, blind spot detection, heat pump, rear and front parking sensors, reversing camera (180° Vision), emergency braking system (up to 52mph), lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, speed limit recognition, intelligent speed adaptation and more.
The in-car entertainment system has also been updated. It includes: 7 inch digital instrument cluster, 10.3 inch HD touchscreen, DS IRIS SYSTEM, 3D connected navigation, natural voice recognition, head-up display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and more!
Company car drivers can also take advantage of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK-2%) tax rate for pure electric cars. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet. You can lease electric vehicles (EVs) via e-zoomed at very competitive prices!
The All-Electric DS 3 E-TENSE SUV (credit: DS Automobiles)
While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.
