While the extreme design of the E-TENSE PERFORMANCE may make it seem like just a showcar, it is actually intended for use as a high-performance laboratory by DS Automobiles, the spin-off brand from Citroen which became a standalone brand.
The prototype has been conceived to accelerate the development of technology for the future of DS Automobiles design. It has been devised, developed and created by DS Performance, which has been successfully participating in the single-seater electric Formula E series.
“Our objective is to apply the experience acquired in Formula E and the expertise that we’ve taken from our international titles to a project which predicts the high-performance electric car of tomorrow. It is a laboratory that we will use to analyse the behaviour of components and to develop them with a view to future manufacturing. The idea is also to find solutions to lower costs, make them easier to manufacture and explore implementations in production models. The next generations of the E-TENSE range will benefit from these developments,” said Thomas Chevaucher, Director of DS PERFORMANCE, the brand’s motorsports division.
Up to 8,000 Nm
The powertrain is made up of two electric motors giving a combined power of 600 kW (250 kW at the front, 350 kW at the back) corresponding to 815 hp and torque of 8,000 Nm at the wheels. Taken straight from DS PERFORMANCE developments for Formula E, these two electric motors prioritise the use of energy in the most effective way. If, physically, the DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE keeps a braking system with discs and pads for safety, only the regeneration system is used for braking.
The battery pack is one of the fundamental parts of the very high-performance mobile laboratory. It is compact and housed in a carbonfibre-aluminium composite envelope. This is situated in a central rear position for optimum weight distribution. The battery pack, using experience from electric car racing, is developed jointly with TotalEnergies and its subsidiary Saft. It uses innovative chemistry and an immersive cooling system for cells – at odds with current technology – thanks to a bespoke design of Quartz EV Fluid solution. This battery permits phases of acceleration and regeneration of up to 600 kW, enabling the exploration of new avenues for future generations of production vehicles.
The design language
The DS Design Studio Paris was responsible for the extreme form with a frontal appearance that has a new surface for expression in place of the grille. Already suggested by the DS AERO SPORT LOUNGE, this treatment combines the DS Automobiles logo with a 3-dimensional effect that displays a special welcome sequence.
On either side, new daytime lights combine technology and design with unprecedented thinness to give a wide span of light (made up of 800 LEDs). Two cameras are used instead of headlamps, providing a visual identity while enabling useful data to be collected while on the move.
To go with the aerodynamic lines, the bodywork introduces a ‘beetle-effect’ interference colour. Depending on exterior conditions and the viewing angle, the perception of the colour changes and gives a striking contrast against the gloss black surfaces stretching to the bonnet.
The cockpit has been conceived to gather data. Bucket seats and a Formula E steering wheel create an ambience devoted to high performance but there is also comfort and attention to detail. An in-car FOCAL Utopia sound system with a pair of exclusive Scala Utopia Evo speakers give a unique signature sound.
