The Stellantis brand DS Automobile has introduced the DS N°4, a revision of its compact hatchback. The new lineup, a second in the N° nomenclature, features a fully electric E-Tense with a range of 450 kilometers, as well as PHEV and hybrid versions.
DS Automobiles says it has focused on technological development with this revision, with particular attention to the new E-Tense variant and an upgraded PHEV system, with a better efficiency and more performance as a target.
“N°4 is purely a distillation of DS Automobiles,” says Xavier Peugeot, CEO of DS Automobiles. “Character, elegance, but above all a requirement serving a single and unique ambition: to lead the way in automotive excellence.”
Fully electric
The fully electric DS N°4 E-Tense is powered by a 157 kW/213 hp motor producing 343 Nm of torque. The battery pack has a capacity of 58.3kWh, enabling a WLTP combined range of up to 450km. There’s an 11kW AC onboard charger and a DC charging capability of up to 120kW. DC-wise, the battery can be charged from 20 to 80% in approximately 30 minutes.
The thermal system includes a newly designed heat pump and enhanced cooling/heating components to improve efficiency and occupant comfort, particularly under demanding climatic conditions. Three regenerative braking levels (D, B, and B+) are available via steering wheel paddles, allowing drivers to adjust energy recovery. The B+ mode should probably be close to what is known as ‘e-pedal’ driving.
Other variants
As already mentioned, the DS N°4 is also available as a PHEV and a hybrid. DS says the former has received an upgraded drivetrain, combining a 180hp turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a 125 hp electric motor, integrated into the new eDCT7 dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
The system delivers a total output of 225 hp and 360Nm. A new 14.6kWh battery allows for an electric-only WLTP range of up to 81km, a 30% improvement over its predecessor. Charging is supported by a standard 3.7kW onboard charger, with a 7.4kW option available.
The ‘self-charging’ hybrid version combines the well-known 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with a 21 kW electirc motor, integrated directly into the six-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox. The combined power is 145 hp and 230 Nm of torque are available.
Stellantis points out that this mild hybrid is efficient in its fuel consumption and will drive up to 50% of the time electrically when ised in full urban driving conditions.
New design
In terms of exterior design, the N°4 adopts a revised front-end architecture, including a wider grille made from mass-dyed black material with a durable varnish finish. A new LED lighting signature inspired by DS E-Tense Performance and the DS N°8 flagship stretches horizontally into the grille, meeting at an illuminated DS badge. The Étoile top trim adds DS Matrix LED Vision headlamps.
“On N°4 we are bringing together the vertical and very slim V-shaped signature of the DRLs from our DS E-Tense Performance concept car. We were also inspired by our new flagship, N°8, to create this horizontal light line that connects the lit-up grille to the illuminated DS badge,” explains Thierry Metroz, Design Director, DS Automobile. “The combination gives a dramatic and easily recognisable result,” he adds.
The new DS N°4 has a length of 4.40 m, a width of 1.87 m, and a height of 1.47 m. The wheelbase is 2.67 m. The silhouette features flush-fitting door handles and a floating roofline, available in contrasting black, and large-diameter wheels (standard 19-inch, optional 20-inch on the PHEV).
Boot space varies by drivetrain: 430 liters in the hybrid, 390 liters in the E-Tense, and 360 liters in the PHEV variant. Interior comfort is supported by high-density foam seating, with optional massage and ventilation features.
In the interior, finally, the new car features a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a central 10-inch touchscreen. The DS Extended Head Up Display, projecting data into the driver’s field of vision, is available as part of the tpacks (Total Comfort and Total Techno) on the Etoile version. EV-specific features include real-time route planning, battery preconditioning, and a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) external power supply.
