It will be available for purchase outside North America in the second half of this year.
A new player has emerged in the luxury sedan market, and it’s from France. Today, the DS 9 was unveiled. It rides on a modified version EMP2 front-wheel drive underpinnings. DS describes this as a large sedan. However, its wheelbase is 114 inches shorter than the BMW 5 Series. It’s the first sedan by the brand of any significant size and comes with a wide range of features.
You can also plug it in as a hybrid. The four-door coupe houses a PureTech gasoline engine and an electric motor. Together, they produce 225 horsepower (168 kilowatts) total. The DS 9 has an electric-only range between 25 and 31 miles (40 and 50 kilometers) and the electric motor can propel the car down the highway at speeds of up to 84 mph. This is the first of three DS 9 powertrains. A 250-hp (186 kW) version and a high-performance model with 360 hp (268 kW), will follow. The eight-speed automatic shifts regardless of power.
The DS 9 has a clever active suspension system that scans for imperfections in the road surface ahead. DS claims that the sedan can accurately predict road conditions and adjust dampers accordingly to ensure a smooth ride. Active LED headlights can be set to five settings depending on the conditions, including country, highway driving and parking. A night vision system is also available and projects images onto the DS 9’s digital cluster.
The interior of the DS 9 is minimalist. A large touchscreen at the center serves as the central point for all on-board systems. A second digital display is used for driver information, while a 14-speaker system for audiophiles is available. DS, like many luxury brands, offers a personalization service called DS inspirations. This allows you to mix and match leather, Alcantara and mood lighting and add other special touches to create a high-end, bespoke greenhouse.
The DS 9 is a luxury sedan that was launched in 2020. It comes with a variety of driver-assist options. The package includes adaptive cruise control, automatic brakes, and lane-keep assistance. It is available in level 2 semi-autonomous operation, limited highway use. While some vehicles provide automatic lane-changing when you use the turn signal, the DS 9 disables its automated controls if that turn signal is used. In stop-and-go traffic, the car shuts off if it is stopped for longer than three seconds. This requires human intervention to restart. The DS 9 also has a driver alert system, which sounds an alarm if the driver is slowing down.
DS claims the new sedan will be available for purchase in the second half 2020. However, pricing information is not available. It will also be sold “all over the world”, but this doesn’t likely include North America, as there are no DS vehicles in the U.S. or Canada.