DS 7 Crossback. Parisian chic
DS 7 Crossback is a compact luxury crossover SUV that occupies the flagship position of French brand DS, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, produced since 2017. There are petrol, diesel and hybrid models. In 2020, the first generation of this luxury crossover was available on the Israeli market.
The car is a direct competitor to the eminent German and Japanese SUVs and attracts attention with French chic and modern technology. DC 7 has already acted as the presidential car during the inauguration of Emmanuel Macron and promises to be the technological flagship of the entire PSA concern. This is not just a French car. This is a Parisian car: high technology is combined with manual labor and expensive finishing materials; everything is done very stylish. Names of interior design options are ‘holy’ places for Parisians: Bastille, Rivoli, Faubourg, Opera. If you have ever been to Paris, you will understand!
First generation
Produced from 2017 to present (data for 2020). First DS 7 Crossback was shown on 28 February 2017 at a special private event in Paris, and the DS 7 was shown to the public in March at the Geneva Motor Show. The crossover is built on the EMP2 platform with extensive use of high-strength steel in the body. The chassis of the car is represented by an independent system with MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link arrangement in the rear. As standard, the crossover is equipped with conventional springs and electronically controlled shock absorbers, which are capable of preventively changing the stiffness thanks to data from cameras scanning the road in front of the car at a distance of five meters. The Frenchman has a rack and pinion steering center combined with an adaptive electric power steering. The brakes are disc brakes on all wheels, supplemented by ventilation on the front axle, with a whole range of modern electronics.
New DS 7 Crossback received design inspired by the Wild Rubis concept presented in 2013 – luxurious interior and set of the most advanced developments of the PSA Group. Also, it has the widest range of power plants under the hood, including a hybrid version.
Appearance
Front of the car is decorated with a hexagonal shield of the radiator grille and cold LED headlights. Behind, there are spectacular lanterns and a neat bumper with two large exhaust pipes. Sideways, premium crossover boasts sporty outlines: a smoothly sloping roof and raised folds on the sidewalls. It gives dynamics. Impressive flourishes of the wheel arches add solidity.
Lighting became one of the main features of this car. ‘Similar to faceted gems, front optics LED modules glows amaranth when doors are opened and then rotates 180 degrees. This original optical effect is mesmerizing day and night, in the parking lot and on the move, “– said the director of the DS design center Thierry Metroz, – “Also, pay attention to the taillights: the scale elements integrated into rear optics. It gives car modern and unique style”. At the same time, the optics is not only beautiful but also effective. For example, a light beam can change width, brightness, and range depending on the speed of the vehicle and the presence of other vehicles.
Interior
The interior of the new DS 7 impresses with its stunning design and high-quality finishing materials, including expensive Nappa leather, Alcantara, precious woods, and aluminum. The main emphasis in the cabin is made on the 12-inch screen of the multimedia system that occupies the entire center console. Control of majority secondary functions is concentrated. The second display with a diagonal of 7 inches is installed, and in front of it is a multifunction steering wheel with a developed relief and a rim truncated at the bottom. A luxury item inside is a mechanical Breguet watch, deliberately sticking out above the front panel.
Front seats are sporty styled, with lateral support, a bunch of electric adjustments, and heating. Back sofa is clearly shaped for two people with a sticking out pillow in the center, although three people can sit here. In the basic configuration of crossover, there are eight airbags, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition.
Motors and powers
New DS 7 is equipped with 130, 180, and 230 hp petrol engines. Also, there are diesel engines that produce 130 and 180 hp. All work in tandem with 8-speed automatic transmission. But there is also a hybrid version. Rechargeable hybrid with 300 hp combines a 200 hp gasoline engine and two electric motors of 80 kW each. One of them works with the rear axle (only such cars will be all-wheel drive). The capability of the hybrid allows you to drive 60 km without using gasoline. By today’s standards, it is a good indicator. The charging time is 4.5 hours from a standard socket connection and 2.5 hours from a special device.
