DS Automobiles has struck a partnership
with the Louvre museum in Paris to create an exclusive DS 7 Crossback ‘Louvre’
limited edition. Since its launch in 2015, DS Automobiles has been a patron of
the Louvre, the most visited (and likely most famous) museum in the world. With
the DS 7 Crossback ‘Louvre’ edition, the premium carmaker pays homage to the
iconic gallery, and the first hints of that are visible on the outside.
The SUV features special ‘Louvre’ badges
incorporated subtly onto the bonnet, the front doors and tailgate. The DS Wings
and window surrounds are highlighted with Gloss Black, as are the roof bars and
rear light trim.
A closer look reveals laser pyramid
etching on the black mirror caps, a tribute to I.M. Pei’s iconic glass pyramid
museum entrance inaugurated in 1989. Rounding out the exterior modifications is
a set of 20-inch Alexandria alloy wheels with a dual-tone finish.
The I.M. Pei pyramid pattern carries over
inside where it is displayed subtly by a 3D image on the air vents, a dashboard
plaque, and embossed in the Nappa Leather lid of the central storage
compartment. Meanwhile, the spectacular Black Basalt Nappa leather watch strap
upholstery comes standard.
The Louvre connection is most obvious when
turning on the 12-inch central touchscreen which displays 182 works from the
museum. Those include The Winged Victory of Samothrace, Leonardo da Vinci’s
Mona Lisa, The Wedding at Cana by Véronèse, and more. Interestingly, each work
is accompanied by a podcast that will elevate the passengers’ knowledge about
art (available in French, English, German, Spanish and Italian). Owners of the
DS 7 Crossback Louvre will also be offered a “Friends of the Louvre” card
giving them unlimited admission to the permanent collections and to temporary
exhibitions at the Louvre museum, as well as other offers in more than a
hundred other museums for a year.
The DS 7 Crossback Louvre is based on the
range-topping Grand Chic specification and the DS Inspiration Opera Art Basalt
Black, and can be had in four colors: Ink Blue, Pearl Crystal, Perla Nera Black
and Platinum Grey. Available powertrains include two plug-in hybrids (300 PS AWD or 225 PS FWD), as well as two petrol units (180 PS and 225 PS) and a 180 PS diesel. The model will go on sale
in the second half of this year in 18 countries around the world, in Europe,
Africa, South America and Asia.