► New look, new tech for DS 7
► Choice of three PHEV models
► Lighting upgrades galore
The DS 7 SUV has been given a substantial overhaul, losing the Crossback moniker in the process. The new DS 7 is sleeker and chic-er, but also comes with a choice of no less than three plug-in hybrid drivetrains, offering as much as 355bhp.
Other upgrades include some clever seamless leather upholstery and an all-new infotainment system.
Whoa – what’s going on with the lighting?
A couple of things. Firstly, there’s a new set of ‘DS Pixel LED Vision 3.0’ headlights. These narrow the DS 7’s gaze while enabling up to 380m of main beam illumination and an in-town dipped-beam width of up to 65m, thanks to multiple rows and types of LED lighting units (84 in three rows for the main beam module alone). Funky, and helpful, all at once.
But you’re probably referring to the ‘DS Light Veil’. This new daytime running light setup has us quietly humming ‘Tears of a clown’ but certainly makes the revised DS 7 easy to identify. Influenced by the DS X-Tense and DS Aero Sport Lounge concepts, and created using a laser-etched polycarbonate surface that’s then painted, the idea is to give the impression that the light is traveling though the bodywork. We’ll just call this one funky.
There are new LED lights at the rear as well, the vortex effect now combined with a metallic finish and compacted within slimmer units. Front and rear bodywork is adapted to suit the new illumination, including the addition of a larger front grille and sharper lines on the bootlid.
Did you say three plug-in hybrids?
Indeed: the DS 7 E-Tense 225, DS 7 E-Tense 4×4 300 and DS 7 E-Tense 4×4 360.
The 225 uses the PureTech 180 petrol engine and a 108bhp electric motor to deliver a maximum combined output of 222bhp. You get an eight-speed automatic as standard, and front-wheel drive.
The 4×4 300 and 4×4 360 both use the PureTech 200 petrol engine and gain an additional 100bhp electric motor for the back axle, bestowing them with four-wheel drive. Max output is 296bhp and 355bhp respectively, but only the 360 model gets to say it’s tuned by DS Performance.
All feature a new 14.4kWh battery pack, offering ‘up to’ 40 miles of electric only combined WLTP driving range per charge – which takes ‘about’ two hours on a 7.4kW wall box charger.
A DS 7 130 BlueHDI diesel will also be offered.
DS claims the 7 remains among the most efficient vehicles in its class ‘specifically because of its well-controlled weight’. Would that we were all so disciplined.
What’s the DS Performance part mean?
As well as getting a 197bhp petrol engine to go with the twin motors, the DS 7 E-Tense 4×4 360 ‘enjoys special tuning by DS Performance’. This includes a DS Energy Coach feature to optimise energy recovery when braking and maximise efficiency, but also a bunch of chassis changes.
As such, it’s 15mm lower, the front track is 24mm wider, the rear track is 10mm wider and it gains new front brakes with 380mm discs and DS Performance calipers. Lacquered Grey 21-inch alloys are standard, too.
And it will go 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds.
Sounds… uncomfortable?
Can’t say yet, but DS has always placed an emphasis on being a bit cushier than rivals. So although the standard wheel size is still 19 inches, perhaps the 7 won’t be backbreakingly hard, even in 4×4 360 guise.
Hopefully helping out here, the DS 7 is available with DS Active Scan Suspension – which is a ‘unique in class’ camera system that actively adapts the suspension at each corner of the car independently, based on its interpretation of the surface ahead.
Any other cool tech?
You can have night vision, if you want, as well as a host of active driver assistance including adaptive cruise control with start-stop capability and lane positioning.
The DS Driver Attention Monitoring includes a camera to check the car’s surroundings and a camera to check the driver’s face and eyelid movements in order to more accurately predict a critical snoozing event. This is ‘unprecedented in the segment’, reputedly.
The DS 7 also benefits from the completely new DS Iris System infotainment. This uses a high-resolution 12.0-inch screen, configurable layout and ‘natural’ voice recognition – and can display front and rear camera views as well as mirror your smartphone wirelessly. It also still features the ventilation controls.
There’s a new 12.0-inch digital instrument display as well, complete with refreshed graphics.
Finally, the leather is worth a closer look, as DS has found a way of making it look like it’s been assembled from multiple pieces when it is in face a seamless, stitchless whole. A process that’s intended to make it more comfortable. The seats have more foam than average, too.
When does the new DS 7 go on sale?
We’ve no pricing yet, but order books are set to open in August 2022, ahead of first deliveries in September. More soon.