DS Automobiles has just unveiled their new flagship, the fully electric N°8 fastback crossover, and it’s clear they’re trying (perhaps a bit too hard) to grab attention. During the official presentation, the French automaker had the gall—er, the cheek—to throw a little jab at the competition, recreating a scene from the folk tale Cinderella to make their point. And what’s that point, you ask? Well, the DS N°8 wants to be the new luxury carriage for those who fancy a bit of magic in their drive; no pumpkins required.

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The N°8 was revealed by none other than Olivier Francois, CEO of Fiat, Abarth, and DS Automobiles, who made a rather grandoise statement by calling the N°8 a “modern-day carriage.” This, of course, was meant to evoke the heritage of DS, a brand that’s barely old enough to legally drink in some countries. A bit of a stretch, sure, but it sets the stage for what was to follow.

In a rather Cinderella-esque moment at the end of the video, Francois parks the N°8 between an Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron and a BMW i4, both of which were conveniently de-badged, but we got the message loud and clear. To top it off, he delivered a final punchline:

“Well, I’m convinced that if Cinderella were written in 2025, she would undoubtedly ride in a N°8. And allow me to say, by next summer, when N°8 is launched, it might just be like the fairy tale: the 12 strokes of midnight may very well sound for the competition’s luxurious carriages.”

At this point, the Audi and BMW are transformed nto pumpkins, while the DS N°8 remains unscathed, because, of course, it’s the star of the show. For the uninitiated, Cinderella’s fairy godmother turned a pumpkin into a golden carriage to get her to the ball, only to have the magic wear off at midnight. You know, just in case you hadn’t picked up on the metaphor.

Now, setting aside the cheeky marketing, DS Automobiles has had a bit of a rough ride since its split from Citroen in 2014. Competing with more established brands in both sales and brand recognition has proven tricky.

Positioned as one of Stellantis’s premium brands alongside Lancia and Alfa Romeo but below Maserati, DS doesn’t have the decades of heritage that BMW or Mercedes-Benz can rely on. Instead, it shares its underpinnings with other Stellantis models, while attempting to carve out its own niche with quirky French styling, more upscale interiors, and a slightly more refined chassis setup. Think of DS like Genesis, but focused more on the lower segments—if that makes sense. And that’s the approach they’ve taken with the N°8, which is designed to challenge the sedans and coupe-SUVs in Europe’s premium midsize segment.

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Francois was quick to highlight that the 4.82-meter-long (189.8-inch) N°8 combines the elevated driving position of an SUV with the elegance and class of a grand sedan. It also boasts the longest range in its segment with up to 750 km (466 miles) on a single charge.

In the video, the CEO went on at length about the interior, claiming it offers “extreme comfort, beauty, silence, and refinement.” He also highlighted that the N°8’s seats provide a spa-like experience, complete with massaging, ventilating, and heating functions, plus, a neck warmer for good measure.

But, as with all things that sound too good to be true, it remains to be seen whether buyers will shell out for this French luxury crossover when they can just as easily reach for a more traditional choice from the likes of BMW, Audi, or Mercedes-Benz.

DS Automobiles

Luxury, meet electricity. Stellantis’ French luxury marque, DS Automobiles, has launched the DS N°8, a fully electric fastback crossover that signals a fresh direction for the brand. If you’re typing on a tight deadline, you might prefer “DS No8,” but the former adds a touch of French flair. This flagship also marks the marks the brand’s first production model to utilize Stellantis’ STLA Medium architecture.

The exterior design draws heavily from the DS Aero Sport Lounge concept, a design exercise first revealed in 2020, with an emphasis on aerodynamics. The roofline is sleek, and the bodywork is finely tuned to achieve a drag coefficient of just 0.24 cd, which not only enhances efficiency but extends the driving range.

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At the front, the standout feature is the fully covered grille with an illuminated backdrop and DS emblem. The slim DS Pixel Vision headlights are paired with sharp DRLs that extend toward the bumper, evoking Peugeot-like vibes. Their shape is mirrored by the taillights, creating a new lighting signature for the brand. Another distinctive element is the steeply raked C-pillars, leading to an integrated rear spoiler.

The extended duo-tone exterior with a deep black finish for the upper portion of the bodywork complements the subtle plastic cladding on the lower end. Additional notable details include 21-inch forged wheels of the high-spec model, the flush door handles, and the N°8 emblem on the tailgate.

The DS N°8 measures 4.82 m (189.8 inches) long, 1.90 m (74.8 inches) wide, and 1.58 m (62.2 inches) tall, with a wheelbase of 2.90 m (114.2 inches). This means it is longer than the Peugeot 408 and Citroen C5 X fastback crossovers from the fellow Stellantis brands. Still, it remains 12 cm (4.7 inches) shorter than the more conventional DS 9 sedan.

A Premium Cabin

Inside, the premium aesthetic is in line with DS Automobiles’ upscale positioning within the Stellantis portfolio. The 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster is positioned behind a four-spoke steering wheel, joined by a wide 16-inch infotainment touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard, and an augmented-reality head-up display.

The “double-decker floating center console” with its star-inspired backlit graphics and crystal-like switches feels like it was plucked straight from a concept car. Furthermore, DS designers incorporated ambient lighting to accentuate the dashboard inserts, which seamlessly flow into the door panels. The latter incorporate some of the 14 speakers of the Electra 3D audio system by Focal, integrated within the perforated aluminum trim.

The bolstered seats are designed for comfort, featuring massaging, cooling, and heating functions for the front passengers – including a neck warmer. According to DS, there is plenty of room for the rear passengers, who also benefit from cooled and heated seats.

Options for the upholstery include Alcantara and full-grain Nappa leather, which are manufactured from recycled materials. The available panoramic glass roof has laminated glass and an infrared treatment, while the boot has a generous capacity of 620 lt (21.9 cubic feet).

The DS-specific suspension setup includes a standard variable damping system. A camera scans the road with the help of altitude sensors and accelerometers, ensuring optimal comfort and handling. The company has also put a lot of emphasis on sound insulation, using ultra-absorbent materials and double-layer laminated glass for a silent ride. Finally, the DS Drive Assist 2.0 suite gives the N°8 semi-autonomous capabilities.

Electric Exclusivity and STLA Underpinnings

The DS N°8 shares its STLA Medium underpinnings with the Peugeot 3008/5008, Opel Grandland, and the upcoming Citroen C5 Aircross. However, unlike the aforementioned SUVs which are also available in mild-hybrid and PHEV forms, the DS N°8 will be exclusively offered with fully electric powertrains. The same will apply to the upcoming Lancia Gamma, which is expected in 2026 as a sister model to the DS N°8.

In the DS, the FWD versions are powered by a single electric motor generating 227 hp (169 kW / 230 PS) or 242 hp (180 kW / 245 PS), with an extra 30 hp (22 kW / 30 PS) from a temporary boost function. The most powerful AWD model features dual electric motors producing a combined 345 hp (257 kW / 350 PS), or up to 370 hp (276 kW / 375 PS) with the boost function enabled. The latter allows the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint to be completed in 5.4 seconds. Independently of the powertrain, top speed is limited to 190 km/h (118 mph).

Battery options include 74 kWh and 97.2 kWh units, offering up to 572 km (355 miles) and 750 km (466 miles) of range respectively, although the maximum figure for the AWD model is 686 km (426 miles). The 400V batteries are compatible with fast charging of up to 200 kW DC, with the 20-80% charge being completed in 27 minutes. DS hopes that 90% of the charging will take place at home or at work, which is why they offer a home charger as standard with the N°8.

According to DS, the N°8 will be launched in Europe from mid-2025. Pricing will be announced closer to the market launch.

DS Automobiles

DS Automobiles has published teasers of an upcoming fully electric model, featuring a fastback crossover bodystyle. The yet-unnamed EV – expected to adopt the DS8 moniker – will offer a WLTP range of 466 miles (750 km) when it arrives before the end of the year.

While this is the first time that DS shows us the upcoming EV, we are already familiar with its design thanks to spy shots. These gave us an early look at the front end, and the interior design.

More: Here’s What We Know About DS’s Upcoming Premium Electric Crossover

The teasers show a prototype with a camouflage wrap highlighting the impressive range. The gold and black graphics are inspired by the livery of the DS Formula E single seater, and do little to hide the design underneath.

According to DS, the EV was designed with a focus on aerodynamics. The sleek roofline, the active intakes on the front bumper, the low hood and the flying buttresses contribute to a drag coefficient of 0.24 cd. The front end adopts a grille-less look with aggressive “DS Pixel Vision lights” featuring vertical DRLs, a design that is mirrored by the sharp LED taillights.

DS Automobiles

SH Proshots

The discreet plastic cladding on the profile and the raised suspension result in a crossover stance, with DS designers trying to offer a stylish alternative to coupe SUVs. The company didn’t show the interior, which promises to offer “extraordinary technology and refinement”, with a mysterious feature on the driver’s seat. Earlier spy shots have revealed a four-spoke steering wheel, a digital cockpit, futuristic switchgear on the center tunnel, and premium materials for the upholstery.

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DS has previously revealed that the EV will ride on the STLA Medium architecture, which already underpins the Peugeot 3008/5008 and Opel Grandland SUVs, and will serve as the base for the successors of the Citroen C5 Aircross and DS7. Despite using the same 98 kWh battery pack, the 466-mile (750 km) range of the DS model is 29 miles (50 km) longer compared to the mechanically-related Peugeot E-3008.

As for today, the French brand hasn’t backed-up from its decision to only introduce EVs from 2024 on. However, it’s worth noting that the STLA Medium platform is compatible with mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, meaning that the new DS doesn’t have to be an EV-only affair. Given that the launch of the fastback crossover is only a few weeks away, our questions will be answered soon.