But it has a face only a mother could love.
Groupe PSA’s nascent luxury automobile brand, DS, has peeled the wraps back on a brand new model, one that has the ability to ride the growing SUV wave like a champ and perhaps put the ‘DS’ brand firmly into the minds of the buying public. The DS3 may have begun its life as a small, city-focused compact hatch, but in its latest iteration it’s grown two more doors and it’s gotten a bit taller. Which is why its name’s been toyed with a little: Say hello to the DS3 Crossback.
“DS3 Crossback fits perfectly into the second-generation DS: technological leadership and unequalled sophistication. With DS3 Crossback, DS Automobiles writes a new chapter in its history: Electrification. With E-Tense variants, DS3 Crossback is 100% electric, but with no compromises over style and benefits.” — Yves Bonnefont, CEO, DS Automobiles
The DS3 Crossback is the second new car by the burgeoning luxury-car marque. Its first all-new model, the DS7 Crossback, debuted last year to great fanfare where critics either revelled in its details or called it a little derivative (this writer did a bit of both). The DS3 Crossback won’t be given the same flack though: It’s unique in its appearance, distinctive in its interpretation of French design flair, though we’re not too sure about how it’s been executed.
We’ll start with the face, which features DS’ ‘Wings’ design signature holding up a finely-sculpted grille design. That grille is flanked by LED daytime running lights on the lower bumper (which DS describe as “pearl-like”), while above them sit slim full-LED DS Matrix LED Vision headlights with a unique light signature design and a three-point main-beam look, with an adaptive high-beam element that, when not used, is illuminated in a dim purple hue that the DS7 Crossback first introduced. Barring those headlights, the DS3 Crossback’s face looks rather fetching; With them, it gives off an impression that evokes images of fictitious swamp monsters.
Move down to the side and you’ll note that the DS3 Crossback retains the ‘sharks fin’ design element on the B-pillar, though that now serves a function on the inside. The side surfacing is pretty interesting too with a downward-triangle kinda thing going on, but more importantly are the doorhandles, what sit flush with the bodywork and deploy only when needed. There’s also no visible interruption the roof, with no obvious radio antenna.
But at the rear, the DS3 Crossback is a little more familiar. The taillights are wide and slim, a newer interpretation of DS’ taillight design, integrating all functions into the high-mounted light units (unlike the DS7 Crossback, where the ‘main’ units were just positioning lights and the other functions were in a separate unit mounted on the bumper).
The DS3 Crossback does rewrite the book a bit in one important aspect: Propulsion. The headline announcement here is the debut of the DS3 Crossback E-Tense, a full-electric variant of the stylish small hatch, offering more than 300km of range on WLTP testing (or 450km on NEDC procedures). The battery can be recharged in 5-hours using a wallbox charger, or 80% charge in 30-minutes using a 100kW fast-charger. There’s 100kW of punch provided by a 50kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which is mounted in the floor to maximise practical, usable space for people and luggage. 100km/h is hit from rest in just 8.7-seconds, though in the interest of maximising driving range, don’t do that too often.
In addition to the E-Tense, the DS3 Crossback will also be available with a PureTech turbo-petrol engine, with 115kW of power on hand, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. A 1.5-litre BlueHDi diesel engine will also be available at launch, though it’s expected to remain limited to the European market.
Step inside and the DS3 Crossback yet again attempts to rewrite the rulebook on automotive cabin design. Perhaps it was our fault for underestimating DS: They did say outright that they were going to focus on avantgarde design. The DS3 Crossback’s cabin integrates diamond-patterns on every possible surface, from the centre stack to the aircond vents, to the dash, doorcards and seats (in some models), and it just look truly spectacular.
Once you’ve taken it all in, your eyes will inevitably be drawn to the technology on offer. Sitting atop the centre stack is a 10.3-inch high-definition infotainment screen, which offers things like smartphone mirroring and “connected navigation” in its plushest form, and features physical shortcut buttons beneath it to quickly access things like your phone, navigation, and media menus. Unfortunately the climate controls remain part of that infotainment system, which ticked off many motoring hacks when it was first seen on the DS7 Crossback as it unnecessarily complicated a regularly-adjusted feature.
“Safety is non-negotiable” according to DS, and the DS3 Crossback is heavily outfitted with technology that’ll keep you safe on the road no matter what. Active City Brake debuts on the DS3 which offers AEB functionality capable of detecting cars, obstacles, cyclists and pedestrians night-and-day. The system uses a new-generation radar that DS claims “extends the range of recognised emergency braking conditions.”
DS Drive Assist (intelligent cruise with lane-keep assistance), lane positioning assist, intelligent traffic sign recognition, lane-keep assist, and blind spot monitoring are among the many other additional features you’ll find populating the ‘Safety’ category of the DS3’s brochure. The fully-digital instrument cluster and heads-up display also work in concert with the ADAS systems to ensure that the driver is always aware of what’s going on around them.
The DS3 Crossback will be making its in-the-metal debut at the upcoming Paris motorshow, and is said to be “available in 2019.” There hasn’t yet been mention about availability of the DS3 Crossback here yet, but with its distinctive design, impressive tech, and flexible powertrain options, we can’t imagine a reason why we wouldn’t see some of these on our shores eventually.
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