Following Peugeot’s announcement on their new
plug-in hybrid models, DS Automobiles also revealed the details of the
electrified DS7 Crossback E-Tense. The French SUV is powered by a
plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines a turbocharged 1.6-liter petrol
four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, with one of them mounted on the
rear axle giving the DS7 all-wheel drive. The petrol engine produces 197 hp while the electric motors offer 107 hp each. According to DS,
the combined output is 296 hp and 450 Nm.
The battery pack has a capacity of 13.2kWh, enabling
the new DS7 Crossback E-Tense to travel 50 km on electric power only
in the latest WLTP cycle. In addition, the new plug-in hybrid DS can reach
speeds of up to 135 km/h in its pure electric driving mode.
Speaking of modes, the new DS7 Crossback E-Tense
defaults on the Zero Emission (EV) mode but also offers Sport, Hybrid and 4WD
for the driver to choose from. 0-100 km/h comes in 6.5 seconds, while
CO2 emissions are expected to be less than 50g/km on the WLTP cycle.
The new variant of the DS7 Crossback will feature
PHEV-specific functions, such as the ‘E-Save’ which allows the driver to save
enough energy to drive in pure electric mode for the last 6 or 12 miles of a
journey.
DS says that the battery pack can be charged in 2
hours using a 32A wall terminal or a 6.6kW charger, while plug it into a
traditional socket and the charging time will be 8 hours.
Despite hosting a battery pack, the DS7 Crossback
E-Tense claims to offer “the same spaciousness and a maximum boot space” with
its conventional ICE siblings. The plug-in hybrid E-Tense also features
newly-designed 19-inch wheels and a new color called Crystal Grey.