The DS 9 sees arriving in its range a new rechargeable hybrid version of 250 hp, with a larger capacity battery. A smooth evolution which confirms, for the French sedan, its status as a credible alternative to the German premium.
Car tested: DS 9 Hybrid E-Tense 250ch Rivoli+
|
From€60,900
no bonus |
Arriving on the market less than a year ago, the DS 9 has already seen the addition of two new rechargeable hybrid engines to its range. Knowing that last year 89% of copies were sold with the E-Tense 225 hybrid, the manufacturer obviously relies heavily on the electrified versions of its model. The E-Tense 360 variant is responsible for reinforcing the prestige and high-end image of the sedan with its power of 360 hp and its four-wheel drive, while the more pragmatic E-Tense 250 seeks to seduce in particular professionals. This last model appears in a way as an optimized version of the E-Tense 225, although it remains in the catalog.
If the 1.6 petrol block sees its power increase from 180 to 200 hp, the electric motor remains calibrated at 110 hp. The cumulative power then increases to 250 hp, while the torque stagnates at 360 Nm. kWh on the E-Tense 225 and 360. This progress is not due to an increase in the size of the battery, but to an improvement in its chemistry which has made it possible to optimize its energy density. Despite its greater capacity, this new accumulator, which is always placed under the rear seat, retains its dimensions and sees its weight increase by only 2 kg. Naturally, the all-electric range is up, announced at 61 km in the WLTP mixed cycle, compared to 48 km on the E-Tense 225. Performance also improved slightly, with a 0 to 100 km/h reached in 8.1 s (8.3 s for the E-Tense 225).
DS9 2022 price
While the DS 9 range starts at €48,700 with the PureTech 225 petrol engine, the E-Tense 250 plug-in hybrid version that interests us today is billed at a minimum of €58,000. Thereby, this new variant claims €2,000 more than the E-Tense 225, which remains available in the catalog. But this difference will be partly compensated for companies because, with the higher cost of the battery and the increased autonomy, the tax deduction will be greater. And, of course, there is no ecotax or weight penalty for this plug-in hybrid!
The Performance Line + finish already offers fairly complete equipment, including parking radars, reversing camera, digital instrumentation, navigation or even Alcantara upholstery. The supplement of €2,900 claimed for the Rivoli + level will allowaccess the excellent Active Scan controlled suspension, to the 360° camera or to Drive Assist semi-autonomous driving. Among the options, ultimately few in number, we recommend to music lovers the Focal Electra Hi-Fi system (€1,200), offering very high quality sound.
Too bad, however, to be forced to pay 200 € for the mode 3 charging cable allowing charging at 7.4 kW, because it will be essential to be able to recover electrical autonomy in a limited time. On an AC terminal delivering 7.4 kW, it will take 2 hours 23 minutes to fully recharge the battery, while the same operation will require more than 8 hours on a domestic outlet.
Driving
We might as well be frank: driving this new E-Tense 250 version isn’t really exotic when you know the E-Tense 225. Thanks to the larger capacity battery, the car seems to be able to extend the all-electric driving phases, particularly in urban areas, where speeds remain below 80 km/h. As long as you stay in Hybrid or Comfort driving modes and keep a smooth ride, the transitions between electric and hybrid propulsion remain almost imperceptible, and this feeling is reinforced by the very good soundproofing of the cabin. .
This highly fluid mechanical pleasure is perfectly combined with the excellent comfort offered by the Active Scan controlled suspension. This absorbs the irregularities of the road with an astonishing serenity and even forgives certain excesses of optimism, which can literally swallow a speed bump that one would have approached too quickly. However, what is most surprising is that this great comfort does not appear detrimental to the dynamism of the car. We always benefit from a precise and eye-catching front axle. On small roads, the long sedan is able to link tight curves in complete relaxation, even at a brisk pace.
If the conditions of our test, with roads soaked by heavy rain, were able to cause the front axle to slip during strong acceleration (the DS 9 remains a traction, except in E-Tense 360), the saloon remains reassuring in all circumstances and retains masterful grip in turns. Moreover, although the power gain compared to the E-Tense 225 version is not obvious, the performance is more than sufficient, with good pick-ups which allow overtaking in complete peace of mind. We regret, however, that the feeling of direction is so artificial, sometimes leaving the impression of being a little disconnected from the road. the feeling improves significantly when you select the Sport mode, but the overall approval regresses due to a management of box which persists in maintaining the heat engine high in the turns.
In terms of sobriety, the hybrid system of the DS 9 and its new battery keep their promises rather well. Starting with full electricity, we indeed obtained an average consumption of 5.2 l / 100 km at the end of a course of 154 km including half of secondary roads, half of city and highway. And if we didn’t abuse the Sport mode, we didn’t force the eco-driving either. Finally, reaching the promised 60 km without using a single drop of petrol seems possible… provided you don’t venture onto the expressways and keep your feet light.
On board
Competetion
Although DS often tends to evoke the D segment when speaking of its sedan, the competitors of the DS 9 are rather to be sought at the higher level, given its size. Only, among the premium German brands, the rechargeable hybrid models tend to clearly exceed the 250 hp mark and to be frankly more expensive, especially with equal equipment. The Audi A6 in its 50 TFSI e version develops 299 hp and claims at least €65,070, while the Mercedes E 300 e of 320 hp is displayed from €66,250.
At BMW, while the 5 Series plug-in hybrid can offer 292 hp in the 530e version (from €60,300), it is also available in the 520e with 204 hp, which is more reasonably priced (from €54,700). Despite its lower power, the latter is even a little faster than our DS 9 E-Tense 250 (0 to 100 km / h announced in 7.9 s). This is undoubtedly the fiercest rival of our mount of the day. Finally, the Peugeot 508 cousin in its Hybrid 225 version (from €45,500) could well turn off some customers, especially those who are sensitive to its sleek style and the argument of made in France.
Discover the results of the test, the technical sheet and the options on the following page.
