The new edition of the DS 7 celebrates its world premiere!

Thomas Wachsmuth June 27, 2022 -> Cars from AZ, DS Automobiles, News vehicles, Videos

Reading time 9 Min.

Launched in 7, the DS 2018 Crossback is the first standalone model from Parisian premium brand DS Automobiles. Now the C premium SUV and DS bestseller is getting a comprehensive technical and visual update. The name also changes: DS 7 Crossback becomes DS 7. Technically, the DS 7 now comes with DS Pixel LED Vision 3.0 and DS Light Veil. Also new is the infotainment system with DS Iris voice recognition. The new edition is visually recognizable on the front in particular, with a “chrome detox” determining the design update overall. The market launch of the DS 7 is planned for late autumn of this year in Germany.

New edition of the DS 7

As a brand, DS Automobiles can still look back on a very young history, in which the DS 7 C premium model plays a key role. The independence of the brand was announced in 2014 and implemented in 2015. Then in 2018 came the first independently developed DS model: the DS 7 Crossback. A completely independent C-Premium-SUV with many unusual and striking design elements, fine use of materials and many elements of haute couture that have not been seen before in the automotive sector.

The technology was also convincing, because the beautiful SUV came with camera-based suspension as early as 2018, for example DS Active Scan Suspension and infrared camera DS NightVision and thus set standards for the segment. Since then, the DS 7 Crossback has delighted its drivers with the combination of extraordinary looks, the finest materials and technical finesse and stands for the independence of the young premium brand like no other DS model. Now the DS bestseller is getting a visual and technical update that should also inspire fans of the comfortable SUV for the second life cycle.

Exterior design update

Visually, the DS 7, built in the French plant in Mulhouse (Mühlhausen), mainly improves on the front: a new radiator grille and new ones DS Wings (optical extensions of the radiator grille) in combination with the new light signature (DS Pixel LED Vision 3.0 and DS Light Veil) ensure a fresh look. New bumpers and new wheels up to 21" adorn the SUV. Two of the six paint colors have been added in the form of silk gray (known from DS 4) and sapphire blue. Thanks to a new tailgate trim, the DS 7 rear looks stretched. Overall, the DS 7 grows marginally to 4,59 meters in length (+2 cm), 1,90 meters in width (+1 cm) and 1,63 meters in height (+1 cm).

“Our goal was to respect the personality and elegance of the existing form and add an extra touch of dynamism with sharper lines. The character of the new DS 7 is particularly enhanced at the front and rear, while its design fits in well with the current DS Automobiles range. It is the result of the collaboration between the DS Design Studio Paris, the technical team that brought a lot of know-how and our production team that managed to create new features. The stylistic touches added to the interior reinforce the coherence of the overall picture.” Thierry Metroz, Director Design DS Automobiles

With the new edition of the DS 7, the name suffix "Crossback" is also dropped, which is also reflected in the lettering on the rear: Instead of "Crossback", the brand name "DS Automobiles" is now enthroned between the new and slimmer rear lights with a scale look. This is now also on a matt black background instead of chrome. Overall, the new DS 7 appears more dynamic with sharper lines. The fact that there are no other chrome elements in many ways also contributes to this, which chief designer Thierry Metroz describes as a "chrome detox".

Among others, the dswings, the window frames and the surrounds of the rear lights available in matte black. The DS logo on the radiator grille and on the rear can also be ordered in black instead of chrome for the first time. In addition to the more modern look, there was another reason for the “chrome detox”: a lot of energy and COXNUMX is used in the production of chromium₂ consumed. The omission of many chrome elements goes hand in hand with more economical and sustainable production.

Interior design update

For the interior, the DS designers were once again inspired by the big Parisian fashion houses, which, like DS, attach particular importance to the selection of materials and their processing. So is a new interior Opera was created, which, in addition to basalt black, is now available in pearl gray for the first time and represents the top end of the DS equipment variants. The new upholstery ensures a visibly high-quality interior ambience with the finest nappa leather in a natural look, which, thanks to the line embossing, enhances the design of the daytime running lights, DS Light Veil, picks up.

Besides Opera also offers the second highest equipment line Rivoli plenty of finesse. The interior is finished in basalt black and features intensive diamond quilting combined with leather. The entry-level interior Bastille has been refreshed with a new basalt black scale fabric trim and grain pattern. The sporty equipment line Performance Line is characterized by the microfibre textile Alcantara^®.

This is now available in a deeper black and is accented by gold and crimson elements that underline the dynamic appearance. (If you choose the performance line Many elements on the exterior are also sportier in matt black and carmine red as standard.) Like its predecessor, the DS 7 also offers the finest materials and haute couture elements that set it apart from its competitors to a particularly high degree. Examples for this are:

The bead stitch decorative seams: The attention to detail is also evident in the bead stitch stitching, which is now also offered in white and sapphire. They can be found, among other things, on the watch strap seats, which are also available in pearl gray for the first time, on the dashboard and the side panels.
The padding in the watch strap design: 18 months of development work in the DS Design Studio Paris together with the best master upholsterers, DS Automobiles put no less work into the development of its own trademark, the "bracelet seats". The complex processing gives the sophisticated Bavarian full-grain leather its unique finish, which is based on metal watch straps.
The BRM R180 chronograph: The BRM R180 has already been developed for the first DS 7 Crossback in cooperation with the Bernard Richard Manufactory (BRM Chronographes) on the outskirts of Paris. The chronograph majestically emerges from its case on the dashboard as soon as the vehicle is started.
The Clous de Paris guilloché: Clous de Paris, meaning "Nails of Paris" or horseshoe nail pattern, is another trademark of DS Automobiles. Guilloche is a form of surface finishing, a type of engraving where, in the case of Clous de Paris, small diamonds are engraved into the surfaces. Developed for the first time as an adornment for clock faces, the noble pattern adorns many elements of the DS 7 interior.

technology update

The Infotainment system is one of the biggest changes to the new DS 7 with the introduction of the DS Iris systems. This solution offers a completely redesigned interface that is fully configurable, responsive and seamlessly embedded. DS Iris is natural speech recognition and controls, for example, the navigation, air conditioning, seat heating and provides information about the weather, among other things. The menu of the high-resolution 12-inch touchscreen consists of widgets, all of which can be freely customized. The Mirror Screen function for smartphones is now also available wirelessly (via Wi-Fi).

With DS Pixel LED Vision 3.0 draws another technical innovation in the DS 7. The pixel function offers the advantage of optimal lighting without dazzling oncoming traffic. The luminous flux is stronger and more even with a range increased to 380 meters on high beam. The pixel high beam module has 84 LEDs spread over three rows. The lighting in curves is controlled by the intensity of the outer LEDs of the pixel module depending on the steering angle.

DS Light Veil is the new Daytime running lights in the DS 7. It was created from the work on the concept cars DS X E Tense and DS Aero Sports Lounge inspired. The light appears to move through the color of the bodywork. DS Light Veil consists of the daytime running light module and four other vertical light elements consisting of 33 LEDs. The innovation comes through the manufacturing process: the laser-engraved polycarbonate surface is painted on the inside so that it appears alternately light and body-colored. It creates an effect of depth and light like a piece of jewellery. DS Light Veil comes on and goes out when the car is locked and unlocked.

With Vision 360 he gets DS 7 one new 360 degree camera. Thanks to new, high-resolution digital cameras, it offers an all-round view of impressive quality and is active at low speeds.

Other technical highlights are the following features known from the DS 7 Crossback:

DS Active Scan Suspension: With the camera-controlled, active suspension, a camera installed behind the windscreen, together with four inclination sensors and accelerometers, delivers analysis data to a computer, which controls each wheel independently in almost real time and continuously adjusts the damping hardness according to the information transmitted. This results in driving behavior that is as comfortable as it is dynamic.
DS NightVision: Thanks to the infrared camera in the radiator grille, DS NightVision improve night vision by up to 300 meters and detect pedestrians and animals larger than 50 centimeters. In the digital instrument display, the driver has a clear view of what is happening in front of the vehicle. The system warns of possible dangers in the vicinity of the road, first visually and then acoustically.
DS Driver Attention Monitoring: The driver's level of alertness is analyzed using two cameras. The first camera examines the vehicle's behavior in the environment and the second, facing the driver, analyzes the driver's eyelid movement to draw conclusions about the level of drowsiness.
DS DriveAssist: The new DS 7 is still included DS DriveAssist equipped with an adaptive cruise control that can control stopping and restarting without driver intervention. In addition, the DS 7 not only keeps the lane in the middle, but also on the desired driving line.
FOCAL Electra^®: Another highlight in the DS 7 is the unique sound experience with the optional FOCAL Electra^® audio system. The audio system consists of 14 speakers, including a subwoofer and an amplifier (total output 515 watts) for an impressive sound perfectly tuned to the vehicle.

“In our eyes, the new DS 7 embodies the art of travel in the best possible way. Beyond the basics of the segment, we are introducing some truly differentiating features, particularly in terms of interior design and our choice of materials, as well as our pure automotive know-how, with a chassis that is as safe as it is light, and high-performance and efficient powertrains. This combination brings to life the comfort and dynamism demanded by DS Automobiles.” Agnès Tesson-Faget – Product Director DS Automobiles

Engines

A total of four engines are offered, three plug-in hybrid versions and one diesel version. Gasoline engines are completely out of the range. The young brand is thus once again underlining its own ambition to only offer purely electric and plug-in hybrid versions from 2025.
There is an innovation to the engines already known from the DS 7 Crossback: The DS 7 is even more powerful and comes as a DS 7 E-Tense 4×4 360 with 265 kW system output (360 hp), all-wheel drive, PureTech petrol engine with 147 kW (200 hp) and two electric motors with 81 kW (110 hp) at the front and 83 kW (112 hp) at the rear. The chassis is lowered by 15 mm, the track is wider (+24 mm at the front, +10 mm at the rear) and the front brakes have a diameter of 380 millimeters with special calipers from the motorsport department DS Performance. Of the DS 7 E-Tense 4×4 360 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5,6 seconds and ensures sovereignty on the road.

The following three additional engines are offered:

DS 7 E-Tense 4×4 300: 220 kW system output (300 hp) with all-wheel drive, PureTech petrol engine with 147 kW (DS 7 E-Tense 4×4 300 (system output 220 kW/300 hp):
Energy consumption (weighted*, combined)): 1,2 l/100 km and 16,4-16,2 kWh electricity/100 km; Electric range (combined): 66 km (EAER); Electric range (inner-city): 69 km (EAER City); CO₂-Emission (weighted*, combined): 27 g/km)
DS 7 E-Tense 225: 165 kW system output (225 hp) with front-wheel drive, PureTech petrol engine with 133 kW (180 hp) and an electric motor at the front with 81 kW (110 hp):
(Energy consumption (weighted*, combined)): 1,3-1,2 l/100 km and 16,6-16,3 kWh electricity/100 km; Electric range (combined): 66-67 km (EAER); Electric range (urban): 66-68 km (EAER City); CO₂-Emission (weighted*, combined): 29-28 g/km)
DS7 BlueHDi 130: Diesel engine with 96 kW (130 hp) and automatic transmission
(Fuel consumption (combined) 5,5-5,1 l/100 km; CO₂-Emissions (combined): 145-134 g/km)

The German market launch for the new DS 7 is late autumn 2022. Orders will be opened shortly, with the final prices for the new DS being announced.

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