Following DS 7 CROSSBACK and DS 3 CROSSBACK, the DS 9 is a large saloon designed to head up the new French premium brand’s line up. With DS 9, DS Automobiles is “emphasising its expertise, design, sophistication and technology with a global vision”.  With these characteristics, “DS 9 conveys a perfect blend of heritage, remarkable savoir-faire and cutting-edge technology. DS 9 is an invitation to rediscover French excellence in relation to the car”.

DS says that with a length of 4.93 metres, width of 1.85 metres and large 690mm diameter wheels/tyres, DS 9 is more striking than other saloons in its class. It uses a new version of the EMP2 (Efficient Modular Platform 2) architecture with a longer wheelbase not used with a saloon car before, which benefits the rear passenger space. Its design has a sleek silhouette with a steeply raked rear window, fastback style.

A three-box saloon, DS 9 continues the DS Automobiles design language with a front face featuring the DS WINGS and the parametric design of the grille with its three-dimensional diamond effect “giving character”. On the bonnet there’s a ‘Clous de Paris’ sabre, the first time this DS interior signature has been used outside the cockpit.

With a nod to the original 1955 DS, DS 9 also has cone shapes at the outside edges of the roof. Inspired by the legendary saloon, the cones have been reformed to house brand new tail lights, signalling DS 9’s presence.

E-TENSE plug-in hybrid
At first, DS 9 will be offered with a new E-TENSE plug-in hybrid powertrain comprising a PureTech turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor combined to deploy 222 bhp and capable of travelling between 25 and 31 miles (40 – 50 kilometres) in zero emissions (WLTP) mode courtesy of an 11.9kWh battery.

The electric motor, through an eight-speed automatic gearbox, can deploy maximum power of 80kW (109 bhp) and 236 ft lb. It is used for driving off from a standstill, boosting acceleration at any speed and for driving in zero emissions mode up to 84mph (135kph). Electric mode is always automatically selected on start-up to maximise efficiency. It is complemented by a Hybrid mode, designed to automatically control the different types of energy by driving 100 per cent electric, 100 per cent petrol or combining the two if the situation requires it. An E-TENSE Sport mode gets the most out of the available power from the combined application of the combustion engine and electric motor by adjusting the mapping of the accelerator pedal, gearbox, steering and active suspension.

DS 9 utilises an energy recovery system that re-charges the battery in deceleration or brake phases, amplified with an enhanced Braking function selected by pulling back the gear selector and displayed as ‘B’. In addition, an E-Save function guarantees there’s always selected levels of battery-stored energy to do chosen parts of the journey in Zero Emissions mode (one of several levels available), for example when the driver knows they will be going into LEV areas or town centres. The 7.4kW on-board charger enables the battery to be charged in 1hr 30 minutes from home or public charging points using the cable supplied as standard.

A range comprising E-TENSE and petrol power
The line-up will shortly afterwards be topped by two more E-TENSE power units – the first with 247 bhp, 2-wheel drive plus increased range capability, and the second – a 355 bhp with an intelligent 4-wheel drive transmission.

In China the 247 bhp E-TENSE model will be offered from launch.

A 222 bhp solely PureTech petrol engine model will also be available. All models are equipped with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.