We recently had the chance to drive the all-new DS N°8 with DS Automobiles in the stunning Vallée de Joux in Switzerland, a region famous for its world-class watchmakers and beautiful, winding roads. The DS N°8 is a fully electric SUV coupé designed to blend French luxury with clever design. It’s based on the DS Aero Sport Lounge concept and carries that same bold, sleek look. Long, wide, and low-slung, it has real road presence while still offering plenty of interior space and comfort. The two main trim levels coming to Ireland are Pallas and Etoile. Pallas comes well-equipped with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, climate control, ambient lighting, and parking sensors. Etoile adds extras like 360-degree cameras, a power tailgate, the extended head-up display and more advanced driving aids.
The first thing that grabs your attention walking towards the vehicle is the illuminated Luminascreen grille, flanked by adaptive LED headlights that automatically adjust depending on traffic. You’ll also notice vertical light details at both the front and rear, which give the car a clean and modern look. Everything about the shape is designed to cut through the air efficiently, no doubt helping to extend its electric range. You can also personalise your DS N°8 with optional Tech Packs and Comfort Packs. It comes in five colours, including Topaz Blue, Palladium Grey, and Alabaster White with the option of a full two-tone look which, we think looks stunning! To the side you’re greeted by flush door handles which pop out to invite you into the premium cabin with wraparound seats and a distinctive X-shaped steering wheel.
It feels calm and upmarket and you are surrounded by premium materials, like soft Nappa leather tanned using olive leaves, recycled Alcantara, and even marbled aluminium. The dashboard is wide and flowing, with fine details like pearl stitching and metal trim inspired by high-end watchmaking. The front seats offer heating, cooling, massage, and a clever feature called DS Neck Warmer, which gently blows warm air on your neck. Rear passengers are treated to plenty of space, reclining seats, and a large panoramic glass roof overhead.
The technology onboard is just as impressive. There’s a crystal clear 12.25-inch digital display in front of the driver and a huge 16-inch screen in the centre, both fully customisable. A head-up display projects key info like speed and navigation onto the windscreen. The infotainment is run by DS’s latest system, which responds quickly and supports voice commands. You also get generous boot space of up to 620 litres and decent storage throughout the cabin. Sound quality has been taken seriously too. DS has worked with French audio specialists FOCAL to create a 14-speaker 3D sound system that delivers pitch perfect audio, with speakers even built into the headlining.
So does it drive as well as it looks? Well, there are three electric versions to choose from. The entry model is front-wheel drive with 230 horsepower and a range of up to 550 km. A longer-range version bumps power to 245 hp with a larger battery and up to 750 km of range. The range-topping model adds all-wheel drive and 350 hp, offering up to 688 km between charges. Each version includes a power boost function, giving you that extra surge when needed. Acceleration varies from 0–100 km/h in 7.8 seconds for the longer-range front-wheel drive model to 5.4 seconds for the all-wheel-drive version with a top speed is limited to 190 km/h. We drove both the front and all wheel drive variants over a two day period.
The route was challenging at times, but the new DS N°8 handled it all with ease, thanks to the Active Scan Suspension that uses a camera to read the road and adjust the suspension in real-time. Through the high bends the front wheel drive had a tendency to torque steer a little under hard acceleration whilst the all wheel drive variant felt surefooted and planted at all times. As expected there’s a full suite of driver assistance features too. DS Drive Assist 2.0 allows for semi-autonomous driving, including lane keeping and adaptive cruise control. For driving at night, DS Night Vision uses infrared to spot people and animals up to 300 metres away. The clever Matrix LED headlights also let you drive with full beams on without blinding others.
Although we never needed to charge on our test route, it’s reassuring to know it is quick and easy! With fast charging up to 160 kW, you can add 200 km of range in just 10 minutes. A full charge from 20% to 80% takes around 27 minutes and an 11 kW onboard charger is also included for home and public charging. Handy features like on board EV Routing should help Irish buyers plan longer trips by suggesting where to stop and charge along the way.
For us the stand out feature is how impressively quiet and luxurious the DS N°8 felt. With thanks to laminated glass and clever insulation DS have done exactly what they are famed for. While DS Automobiles has never been a big player in the Irish market, the N°8 is shaping up to be a genuine premium alternative in the D-segment SUV class. With its French flair, high-end features and impressive electric performance, it’s well worth a look. Expect the first DS N°8 models to arrive in Ireland in late 2025 with prices in time for the 261 registration period!
