DS Automobiles opens reservations for the all electric DS 3 Crossback E-Tense

Reservations are now opening for DS 3 Crossback E-Tense, the 100% electric version of the latest Premium Compact SUV, ahead of formal ordering and deliveries due to start from January 2020.

E-Tense is DS Automobiles' global vision for energy transition. This new avant-garde strategy for electrification has led to the brand offering all its new models in versions that are either 100% electric or high-performance plug-in hybrid, combined with a suite of dedicated services.

DS 3 Crossback E-Tense, a Premium Compact SUV is the first all-electric DS car and this BEV has a potential range of 200 miles. The new vehicle has been designed without compromise - maximising the occupant and boot space while also offering similar trim level choices with an excellent driving capability.

“In 2019, we are launching E-Tense and we have two models which represent world premieres in their respective segments. E-Tense unites the demands of the energy transition and the pleasure of the car for independent mobility. We have chosen to completely electrify our range. From this year onwards, each of our models will be offered with an E-Tense, BEV or PHEV, version, which uses energy in the most efficient way supplemented by regenerating energy during deceleration. DS 3 Crossback E-Tense and DS 7 Crossback E-Tense 4×4 are the realisation of our electrification strategy with no compromise in space, while unparalleled in style and comfort,” said Yves Bonnefont, CEO of DS Automobiles.

The electric drivetrain of DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is made up of a 100kW (136hp) electric motor with 260Nm of torque, linked to a 50kWh Lithium-ion battery and a system for recovering energy during deceleration and braking. The potential range is 200 miles (WLTP drive cycle, or 267 miles on the NEDC drive cycle) and the performance revolutionises driving, with acceleration from 0 to 30mph possible in 3.3 seconds.

Comfort sets new standards with remarkable management of road noise and the absence of engine vibration. Driving behaviour is improved by the compact battery being centrally located and low down. The battery is placed entirely under the floor. The weight of the battery is partially compensated by a weight saving of 50 kilograms in other components relative to an equivalent DS 3 Crossback.

Three driving modes are offered: Eco to maximise range, Normal, and Sport with extra torque. These are complemented by two energy recovery options, inherited from Formula E, which can be controlled by the driver: Normal to simulate the behaviour of an internal combustion engine and Brake which decelerates at 1.2 m/s.

Range is maximised by the ability to pre-set cockpit temperature before driving and incorporates a very efficient heat pump. The 100kW rapid charging adds 5.5 miles of range every minute and will complete an 80% charge in 30 minutes. DS drivers can purchase a connected smart wall box (single phase), enabling a 100% battery charge in 8 hours.

DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is pioneering, as the first all-electric vehicle designed in full by the Groupe PSA. It naturally includes the same equipment and the same comfort and driving features as the ICE (Internal Combustion Engines) versions. With a 50kWh battery and an electric motor of 100kW (or 136bhp DIN), it delivers an exceptional level of performance with maximum torque available from start-up. As a result, it can accelerate from 0 to 62mph in just 8.7 seconds (and from 0 to 30mph in 3.3 seconds).

Taking full advantage of a very low centre of gravity with the batteries under the floor, DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is able to deliver a flawless ride. Moreover, with the ICE model already providing an excellent base in terms of soundproofing, the electric version also sets a new standard for interior ambient noise levels. DS 3 Crossback E-Tense can complete an 80% battery charge in 30 minutes from a fast-charging point.

With the batteries housed within the new multi-energy CMP architecture, DS 3 Crossback E-Tense boasts the same spaciousness and the same boot volume as all other versions.

The DS 3Crossback E-Tense carries a high-capacity on board charger, available as single phase (7kW) or three phase (11kW) and offers a host of charging options. Charging at a dedicated wall box or standard public terminal will take 8 or 5 hours respectively. As single phase infrastructure is standard in the UK, the single phase (7kW) on board charger will be the standard offering for the UK market. Additionally the car can be charged from a standard domestic socket. At a public 100kW rapid charge terminal, 80% of the battery can be recharged in just 30 minutes, which represents an average range of 5.5 miles per charging minute.

The complete battery pack - cells, cooling system, management and control intelligence - weighs 350kg. DS 3 Crossback E-Tense only weighs 300kg more than the petrol or diesel version. It was possible to reduce the overall weight (by 50kg) because an electric motor is lighter than an internal combustion engine, because the car does not need a fuel tank or an exhaust pipe.

The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is also fitted with a high-performance heat pump. Its excellent efficiency, with a reduced electrical consumption, optimises thermal comfort in the passenger compartment without affecting battery temperature control.

“With this set of technologies, which we assemble, we are convinced that we have reached another stage in the mass manufacturing of electric vehicles,” notes Rémi Seimpère. “Such control also lets us offer an attractive battery warranty: eight years or 100,000 miles.”

The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense starts at a price of £32,350 ($40,761) in the UK after Government incentives.