DS has announced pricing and opened the order books for its DS 3 Crossback E-Tense pure-electric crossover. The premium compact SUV will start at £32,350 (inc Plug-in Car Grant), when launched early next year.
Trim levels will largely mirror the non-electric models, and the new platform on which the DS 3 Crossback is built has been designed so that there isn’t compromise in terms of interior space with the addition of a large battery.
That battery is a 50 kWh pack, powering a 100 kW (136hp) electric motor, good for a WLTP range of 200 miles on a single charge. Thanks to 260 Nm of torque, in Sport mode, the DS will complete the 0-62mph time in 8.7 seconds.
The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense will be a around 300kg heavier than the conventional petrol and diesel models, because around 50 kg has been saved from the battery’s 350kg weight by trimming other components to compensate for some of this.
There will be a choice of three driving modes – Eco, Normal, and Sport – which combine with two brake energy recuperation modes, brought over from the brand’s Formula E team, Normal & Brake.
Other common EV features are included in the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense, with pre-conditioning possible, made more efficient thanks to the fitted heat pump, and there is a MyDS app to control this function, plus check on battery charge and receive notifications about the car.
Charging will be carried out through the Type 2 CCS inlet, which can accept 7 kW fast charge, and 100 kW on rapid units. The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense has the capacity to accept up to 11 kW three-phase, but since much of the UK’s infrastructure is single-phase, the 7 kW on-board charger will be the standard offering. Whether UK buyers can upgrade or not, is not made clear.
Additional services will be offered by DS to customers, including a choice of home charger solutions, access to public charging infrastructure, and DS Mobility – access to rent other DS models, such as a petrol or diesel model for long journeys.
A £500 deposit can be put down now, ahead of formal ordering later this year. Deliveries are expected to start in January 2020.
