The DS 7 Crossback, the French brand's first European-market SUV, is available to order now, priced from £28,050 for entry-level Elegance models.
Prices rise to £43,535 for the highest-powered diesel model in range-topping Ultra Prestige trim. However, the most expensive model, at around £50,000, will become the four-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid variant when it hits the road in 2019. This will be badged E-Tense, after DS’s electric supercar concept. Four trims are available: Elegance, Performance Line, Prestige and Ultra Prestige. the entry-level trim gets rear parking sensors, lane departure warning and leather interior trim. Higher ones get 19in wheels, a reversing camera and all-round parking sensors, as well as wireless smartphone charging, electric seats and ambient lighting. The range-topping Ultra Prestige trim gets a full leather interior, adaptive cruise control with lane keeping assist, keyless entry and start, a 360deg camera and parking assistant, 20in alloys and a panoramic sunroof. The car was launched priced from £42,650 in La Première edition and was previewed with a special Presidential version used by new French president Emmanuel Macron. La Première cars get DS's latest driver assist systems including lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and adaptive headlights. DS's active suspension scanning system is also fitted as standard; it uses a high-mounted camera near the top of the car's windscreen to ‘read’ the surface of the road as it approaches, pre-setting the stiffness of the electronically variable dampers (which will be also be standard on other high-trim versions) to prepare for larger bumps and compressions as they arrive. DS claims that the Active Scan system will be a segment first, although Mercedes-Benz already offers a similar Magic Body Control system on its pricier models. The most potent petrol and diesel engines are offered with the La Première trim. Both are turbocharged 1.6-litres, offering 221bhp and 178bhp respectively. They come mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission called the EAT8. When the rest of the range goes on sale, a wider selection of powertrains will be offered with the DS 7. Added to the aforementioned units will be a 128bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol and the 1.6-litre petrol in 178bhp guise. A new ultra-frugal 1.5-litre diesel engine, named DVR, will be the second diesel option. The 1.5 diesel and 1.2 petrol will have a six-speed manual gearbox. All other engines will come with the eight-speed 'box, which will also be an option on the 1.5 diesel. For now, the DS 7 will be offered with front-wheel drive only. PSA Group engineers have confirmed that there are no plans for a four-wheel-drive 7 Crossback with a mechanical system. The only model with a powered rear end will be the range-topping hybrid version due in 2019. This model will have two 107bhp electric motors working in conjunction with a 197bhp version of the 1.6-litre turbo petrol, giving a total output of 296bhp. Elaborate tail-lights, each with 42 LEDs, will also be standard and an infrared-based night vision system capable of identifying pedestrians and animals will be offered as an option. DS has also confirmed plans to offer the 7 Crossback with a semi-autonomous Connected Pilot driving system. |