With its DS 4 Crossback Concept, New DS 4 & DS 4 Crossback and the DSV-01 Formula E car, DS Automobiles is on the offensive at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. The DS stand represents a product and technology offensive, with new models and an expanded connectivity offering with the arrival of Apple CarPlay™ on DS Connect. Visitors will also be able to see Baby DS, star of the new DS Connect adverts.
In a setting that will showcase elegance, French expertise, technology and the avant-garde spirit, the DS Automobiles stand will be a must-see at the 66thInternational Motor Show in Frankfurt. DS has chosen this event for the world premiere of New DS 4 and DS 4 Crossback and the DSV-01 fully electric Formula E race car. DS will also be unveiling the DS 4 Crossback Concept, a show car with its sights set on the future. At the same time, the spotlight will be on DS Connect, with demonstrations of this connectivity offering for visitors. There will also be screenings of the new adverts featuring Baby DS, the latest brand model.
NEW DS 4 & DS 4 CROSSBACK: ONE MODEL, TWO BODY STYLES
The only car of its kind when it was launched in 2011, the original DS 4 was given the prestigious titles of ‘Most Beautiful Car of the Year’ and ‘Most Beautiful Interior’ at the International Automobile Festival. Now, DS 4 is gaining new impetus with the arrival of two distinct, yet complementary versions: New DS 4 is a dynamic and refined premium hatchback, and New DS 4 Crossback is a stylish adventurer with ‘go-anywhere’ looks and a 30mm higher ride height, large black wheels and specific body components including black wheel arch trims and grey roof bars.
New DS 4 and DS 4 Crossback perfectly embody the character of DS vehicles, with:
- A new front end featuring the brand’s signature ‘DS Wings’ grille (directly inspired by the Numéro 9 concept car) and new DS LED Vision headlamps.
- New DS 4 gaining the latest technology, including CarPlay® compatibility with the most recent Apple iPhones.
- High-performance engines of up to 210hp with low CO2 emissions.
- Refined interior design, including the Nappa leather upholstery and the option of ‘watch strap’ semi aniline leather seats, which is exclusive to the DS brand.
With New DS 4 and DS 4 Crossback, the DS brand is going on the offensive in the compact premium segment.
New DS 4: now with customised features, new styling & enhanced performance
With its flowing lines, touches of chrome and high-performance engines, New DS 4 has all the qualities of a premium hatchback. Personalisation and greater customer choice is provided by the two-tone roof/body colour option, which is new to this segment. With its luxurious, refined and even more customisable interior, New DS 4 represents a unique offering in the premium compact segment.
New DS 4 features a unique body design. With its new, more powerful stance, this latest version meets all the expectations of a premium hatchback, complete with the promise of performance for the driver. A key characteristic of today’s DS models is customisation. Initiated on DS 3 in 2010, New DS 4 introduces a two-tone offering with a choice of four colours for the roof and rear spoiler, the door mirrors and wheel centre caps. The optional Perla Nera Black, Whisper Purple, Virtual Blue or Tourmaline Orange finishes on the roof mean that up to 38 colour combinations are possible. There are nine body colours, including three new colours: Tourmaline Orange, Artense Grey and Platinum Grey. This new ‘bi-tone’ option is unique in the premium compact segment and allows customers to adapt their car to their personality and lifestyle.
New DS 4 Crossback: versatile, expressive & adventurous by nature
New DS 4 Crossback is aimed at customers looking for ‘urban and extra-urban adventure’. Versatile in concept and design, this new vehicle displays strong styling features including black wheel arch trims, a differentiated front end and rear spoiler also finished in black, and grey roof bars. Its status is further underlined by its black door mirrors, door sills and carpet mats and a ride height that is 30mm higher than the hatchback version. This car offers an alternative to conventional hatchbacks in this segment.
DS CONNECT GAINS NEW CONTENT WITH THE ARRIVAL OF CARPLAYTM ON NEW DS 4 & DS 4 CROSSBACK
New DS 4 and DS 4 Crossback are the first DS models, and first vehicles in the PSA Group, to offer CarPlayTMcompatibility with the most recent Apple iPhones.
With CarPlayTM, drivers can display the personalised environment of their iPhones on the in-car dashboard screen. They can make calls, use maps, listen to music and access their e-mail at just a word or a touch. A voice recognition function is available for texting. As a result, drivers can use a number of apps safely at any time.
Along with the New Mirror Screen function duplicating the content of Android and iOS phones on the dashboard screen, New DS 4 and DS 4 Crossback will also feature the DS Connect Box which includes:
- SOS & Assistance pack: a ground-breaking automatic call system used to locate the vehicle and obtain assistance in the event of an emergency or breakdown;
- Monitoring pack:a virtual maintenance manual with automatic mileage monitoring, notification of upcoming service operations and eco-driving tips based on technical information provided by the car;
- Mapping pack:locates the vehicle and sends an e-mail if the vehicle enters or leaves a given geographical area;
- Tracking pack: provides the police with the vehicle’s geographical position in the event of theft.
DS Connect, the brand’s connectivity offering, also includes the MyDS app available for smartphones with iOS/Android. Functions include assistance to locate the driver’s parked vehicle or to finish a journey on foot, as well as reminders on scheduled maintenance and access to onboard documentation. The aim is to provide customers with on-the-road assistance through intuitive and innovative services.
DS 4 CROSSBACK CONCEPT, AN AVANT-GARDE SHOW CAR FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE
To showcase the full potential of New DS 4 Crossback, the DS brand has developed a show car based on this latest model. The avant-garde DS 4 Crossback Concept offers a glimpse into the future of DS.
This vision of the future is illustrated by the use of materials not usually seen in the automotive industry. For example, DS 4 Crossback Conceptfeatures fine strips of stone on the wheels, door mirror housings, roof bars and front end. This choice of materials reflects the tendency of DS to overturn conventional codes.
DS 4 Crossback Concept also expresses French-style luxury. The use of natural leather, the watchstrap design of the upholstery and the plaited metal threads all add a delicate and decorative touch to the vehicle seats.
DS 4 Crossback Concept also illustrates the future of DS through innovative, avant-garde working methods.
DS adopted parametric design techniques to create this show car. This method is widely used in the worlds of couture and architecture, but rarely seen in the automotive industry.
Its main advantage is in generating surfaces and volumes in a different way. In the longer term, when used alongside new mock-up modelling processes such as 3D printing, this method will enable designers to create shapes that were previously impossible, taking the ultra-personalisation approach even further.
For DS 4 Crossback Concept, as the first such model for DS, it was decided to work solely in two dimensions on features that would showcase both the original, curving, sculpted lines of New DS 4 Crossback and its positioning as an urban and extra-urban vehicle. The result is a show car that is entirely made up of facets, echoing the urban environment.
DSV-01, THE FORMULA E CAR FOR THE DS VIRGIN RACING TEAM
The Frankfurt International Motor Show will be the setting for the first official public appearance of the DSV-01, the Formula E car of the DS Virgin Racing Team. The car will then set off to compete in the first leg of the upcoming Formula E World Championship in Beijing on 24 October 2015.
A fully electric single-seater, the DSV-01 was born out of the partnership between Virgin Racing, which has already participated in the Formula E World Championship, and the DS brand. The automaker founded DS Performance, its motor sport division led by Yves Matton, for this very purpose. The DS Performance engineers have developed the electric motor and gearbox for the DSV-01. They also designed its cooling system, and rear suspension. The engine management system was designed in partnership with Magneti Marelli. Much more than just an R&D laboratory, DS Performance showcases the technological expertise and avant-garde spirit of DS.
DS Performance will support DS Virgin Racing throughout the upcoming Formula E season, enabling Sam Bird and Jean-Eric Vergne to maximise the performance of the race cars.
BABY DS, THE AMBASSADOR FOR DS CONNECT
Baby DS is the latest model in the DS range. A 1/3 scale model of New DS 5, it was designed by the brand styling centre. Just 1.37m long, this single-seater vehicle with Encre Blue bodywork combines avant-garde styling with advanced technologies, premium materials and refinement, just like its elder sibling.
Viewed from the outside, distinctive attributes include the DS Wings grille and slender chrome sabre running from the tip of the headlights to the front windows. The door mirrors carry the DS badge. Inside, the cabin features aluminium trim, a two-tone seat upholstered in semi-aniline leather with the watch strap design and a leather-upholstered steering wheel with the seams top-stitched by hand.
Fitted with an electric motor, Baby DS can be driven or operated by remote control. Its aim is to promote DS Connect, the brand’s connectivity offering, by taking centre stage in brand adverts.
The first film with baby DS is being screened on the DS stand at Frankfurt, and on YouTube. It presents the emergency call function available on DS models:
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DRIVEDS.COM, THE NEW BRAND WEBSITE
At the Frankfurt Motor Show, the brand’s international website www.driveDS.com is displaying its new look. Its ambition is to deliver an immersive, premium experience.
Designed to resemble a magazine, it places the emphasis on visuals and animated images that showcase the DS markers: avant-garde styling, refinement and attention to detail, technology and advanced dynamic comfort.
Inspired by the codes of French-style luxury, this digital showcase expresses the DS brand universe through its graphic codes. The warm, black background features brighter touches of champagne and crimson.
