The new DS 4 will be a compact plug-in hybrid car with more than 50 km of electric range and semi-autonomous driving by 2021

DS has announced that its next model will be the DS 4, of which the first details have already been advanced. It is a completely new compact car that will be offered in a sedan and hatchback body and promises a high dose of technology. Will land in 2021 and will have a plug-in hybrid version, in addition to diesel and gasoline engines.

The French luxury brand has outlined some secrets of what will be its fourth model, after the DS 7 Crossback, DS 3 Crossback and the superlative DS 9, which arrived in 2020.

The DS 4 will sit on a new version of the EMP2 platform of the PSA Group, equipped for example in the brand new and mentioned DS 9, with which it shares the E-Tense plug-in hybrid version.

It combines a turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine of 180 CV with another electric capable of performing 110 CV, to offer accordingly 225 hp power. The transmission will be an eight-speed automatic and front-wheel drive.

The electric drive will be powered by a new battery, whose capacity has not yet been revealed, although the brand assures that will easily exceed 50 km of autonomy in fully electric mode, according to the WLTP cycle. It will therefore be another plug-in hybrid car with a ZERO label from the DGT.

Grill of the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense.

The recharge times they will be seven hours if you use a domestic power outlet, and an hour and a half if you use a 32A Wallbox.

He is therefore a new member of the successful DS E-Tense family. And it is that according to the figures offered by the manufacturer, one in three DS sales is an electrified car, which allowed it to close the first half of the year with an average emissions of the fleet of its cars sold of 80 grams of CO₂.

However, in addition to this version, From its arrival on the market, it will be offered with diesel and gasoline engines, with powers between 130 and 225 hp. All of them will be associated with an automatic transmission. In this way, DS will keep diesel in its new models despite the fact that the brand has already advanced its intention to gradually eradicate it.

Semi autonomous driving level 2

Image of the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense dashboard.

Another advantage that this new variant of the EMP2 platform will allow is the weight reduction, incorporating for example a more compact unit for the air conditioning system, and adapting the shapes to a more aerodynamic design. They are two key pillars to optimize the autonomy of the vehicle to the maximum.

Likewise, the firm predicts “a reference driving comfort” that is achieved, among other things, by a considerable reduction of noise and vibrations in the interior and by a good habitability in the rear seats, without sacrificing trunk capacity.

A key aspect in this regard will be the technology that the system will provide DS Drive Assist 2.0, with level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities.

This means that the car will be able to circulate on the motorway and motorway without leaving the lane limits, but now it will adopt new functions such as the semi-automatic overtaking, speed adjustment when cornering and speed recommendations in advance of signs.

For this, the DS 4 will be equipped ssensors that record everything that happens in and around the caras well as at the steering wheel to ensure that the driver is in command at all times.

You will also have a front radar, and one for each of the four corners of the car, in addition to a camera on the top of the windshield.

The new version of the latter increases its field of vision by 75 degrees and also allows seeing and anticipating irregularities in the road surface, making it possible for the new system to DS Active Scan Suspension regulate the hardness of the damping of each wheel at all times.

Head-Up Display with projections on the road and more technology

inside the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense.

Another technological novelty that will include the DS 4 is the DS Night Vision, which allows pedestrians and animals to be detected at a distance of up to 200 meters at night and in low-light situations, thanks to an infrared camera located on the grill.

On the other hand, the new compact of the brand will have the DS Extended Head-Up display, whereby the driving information projects directly onto the road. The data appears four meters in front of the windshield so that the driver does not have to take his eyes off the road.

All of this will work in perfect harmony with the DS Smart Touch, a small screen located in the center console capable of interpreting the gesture and voice controls of the driver.

Cockpit of the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense.

In terms of connectivity, the brand promises “a completely reimagined infotainment system“which will allow the car to detect the driver and automatically set their preferences for driving modes and other previously preset settings.

DS has explained that by DS 4 will not feature Android Automotive, although he has assured that they are working to incorporate it in future releases.

Aesthetically, the brand anticipates that the DS 4 will enjoy DS MATRIX LED VISION headlights with three modules, the watchword of the firm, while in the rear will be similar to the DS 9 and DS 7Although it will add “a technological leap”, the firm has advanced without specifying further details.

In any case, we will have to wait for early 2021 for full details and the look of the imminent DS 4, which will be manufactured at the Rüsselsheim plant (Germany).

It is expected to land on the market in mid-2021 to compete in the busy C segment at the SEAT Leon, Volkswagen Golf, Renault Mégane, and company.

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