DS 7 CROSSBACK: THE NEW SUV BY DS, INNOVATIVE SAVOIR-FAIRE FROM PARIS

DS 7 CROSSBACK is the latest model to be unveiled by DS Automobiles. Heralding a new era for DS, the new SUV combines the latest technological innovations with the brand’s Parisian savoir-faire, introducing new levels of driving comfort and performance. Aimed at customers who are in tune with the latest trends, appreciate the world of luxury and prefer to express their unique personality. DS 7 CROSSBACK has its public debut at Geneva.

2017 sees the launch of a sophisticated vehicle with a world premiere for DS Automobiles. DS 7 CROSSBACK is an SUV with a strong personality, and ideally proportioned to embody the perfect balance between comfort and style, and leads with many desirable features;  

CHARISMATIC IN DESIGN

• Elegant and comfortable proportions
• DS ACTIVE LED VISION
• Hypnotic 3D rear lights
• Two 12” instrumentation screens with innovative interface

FRENCH LUXURY KNOW-HOW

• Choice of DS Inspiration interiors with the elegance of premium materials
• Guided by an obsession for detail
• Magnified interior roominess

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

• High levels of driving comfort
• PHEV & EAT8
• DS PILOT – Autonomous driving 2.0
• DS SAFETY: DS NIGHT VISION
• DS LOUNGE: DS ACTIVE SCAN SUSPENSION

DS 7 CROSSBACK is a stylish vehicle that features a wide range of attributes. Taking the first step towards autonomous driving, innovative technologies such as DS ACTIVE LED VISION, DS CONNECTED PILOT and DS DRIVER ATTENTION ASSIST increase safety, comfort and peace of mind for both the driver and the passengers. For the exterior, a new diamond-effect grille, horizontal chrome DS Wings and LED rotating headlamps create dynamic lines on the body front, while the interior is available with a choice of four DS Inspiration ambiences reflecting the DS concept of even more personalisation options.

With its LED light signatures, unique interior stitching techniques, and the motorised watch by B.R.M placed on the dashboard, as featured on DS E-TENSE concept, DS 7 CROSSBACK represents the brand’s vision for the future. The SUV will be available with a plug-in hybrid petrol drivetrain with 300hp and 4WD, a new latest-generation Efficient Automatic Transmission with 8-speeds, a THP S&S 225hp engine and two electric motors.

An SUV with strong personality

“At all stages of the design process, the guiding aim for DS 7 CROSSBACK was to express refinement, excellence and the best know-how implemented to the highest standards. The result is there to see, with an ideally proportioned car brimming with personality. It’s a perfect alchemy of strength and style.”

Thierry Metroz, Director of Style, DS Automobiles

Charismatic, powerful and engaging, DS 7 CROSSBACK immediately reveals its unique personality and beautifully proportioned design.

The horizontal chrome DS WINGS on the front conveys a sense of prestige with their strong, balanced lines. The DS emblem, redesigned for this new era, takes up a prominent stance in the centre of the new diamond-effect grille, resembling a coat of arms. The bonnet features subtle ribbing in the centre and the bi-ton mirrors emphasize the length and solidity of DS 7 CROSSBACK. The sharp edges of the front and rear wings sculpt the sides to enhance the muscular beauty of this SUV. The wraparound tailgate showcases an imposing rear design, and emphasises the distinctive rear lights, designed with illuminated scales, and featuring scrolling directional indicators. This remarkable SUV stands apart for its presence and an interior optimised for all occupants, conveying an immediate sense of sumptuous comfort and space.

DS 7 CROSSBACK is immediately recognisable, by day or by night, from the front and from the rear

DS has always placed particular emphasis on the light signature of its vehicles, and it continues to be a key feature of DS styling. Resembling faceted jewels, the LED modules of the DS ACTIVE LED VISION headlamps emit a purple light when DS 7 CROSSBACK is unlocked, before pivoting by 180°. The distinctive effect is visible by day or night, whether the vehicle is moving or stationary. The brand’s instantly recognisable light signature is emphasised by the vertical beads of the daytime-running lights, combined with the scrolling indicators.  As for the rear, each light is a full LED made up of illuminated scales. The lighting designers used advanced laser engraving technology to design this unique signature, referred to as DS 3D REAR LIGHTS, and achieve exceptional precision.

Two wide screens for an innovative display

The ‘style’ aspect is also reflected in the interior, with two 12-inch screens positioned at the heart of the cabin. The first is an innovation in the world of SUVs: it works with the navigation system as well as managing the multimedia interface, MirrorScreen and DS CONNECT functions. The second is a personalisable screen dedicated to the digital instrument cluster.

French ‘savoir-faire’

“Each DS combines a wide and unique range of French craftsmanship techniques to reflect the individual expectations of each customer. Our talented designers, engineers and upholsterers, have applied their considerable expertise to the vehicle interior, using premium materials and implementing the meticulous approach of true craftsmanship.” Thierry Metroz, Director of Style, DS Automobiles

Four inspirations for a bespoke interior

The chic, contemporary interior of DS 7 CROSSBACK, available with a choice of interior ambiences, reflects the brand’s concept of even more personalisation options. These ambience ‘Inspirations’ are named Bastille, Rivoli, and Opera, and Performance Line.

The elegance of premium materials

“Each material and each detail of DS 7 CROSSBACK was inspired by the world of Haute Couture whose rigour and sensuality is visible in the very smallest detail.” Thierry Metroz, Director of Style, DS Automobiles

Reflecting the highest standards of craftsmanship, considerable thought went into every detail of the ‘Inspirations’ and the materials used, in terms of their selection (such as leather, wood or Alcantara®), and positioning inside the car. These ‘Inspirations’ encompass a wide area designed to meet high standards of quality, extending from the dashboard to the door panels and from the consoles to the seats. The steering wheel and roof grab handles, for example, can be fully upholstered in leather, as well as the centre console – a finish that is rarely seen for this category of car. Depending on the ‘Inspiration’ selected, even the control switch on the central screen can be specified in crystal.

Guided by exquisite attention to detail

DS 7 CROSSBACK naturally reflects the design trademarks featured on all DS Automobiles latest models. The watch strap design of the Nappa leather seats enhanced by ‘pearl’ stitching on the dashboard, door panels and console are discreet but visible enough symbols of brand identity. The toggle-switches on the chrome-finished central console feature a ‘Clous de Paris’ guilloche trim finish.

The origins of ‘guillochage’ and ‘pearl stitching’          

Reflecting the refinement of DS Automobiles, DS 7 CROSSBACK features one of the most attractive finishing techniques used in luxury watchmaking: guillochage. Dating back to the 16^th century, this technique is still used today to enhance the dial, casing or movement of a watch.  The engraved motifs of intersecting or overlapping lines can be extremely varied. Guillochage demands artistic qualities as much as it does technical and mechanical skills. This exquisitely complex type of decorative feature is reserved for premium watches.

Of all the decorative motifs, ‘Clous de Paris’ is considered the most classic in its beauty, fine lines and balance. It was designed by Abraham-Louis Breguet, the French founder of the Breguet watchmaking company that introduced the technique in watchmaking in 1786. The motif features hollowed lines that intersect to form tiny pyramidal decoration features.

Pearl stitching is used to form a pearl-shaped pattern. This feature is inspired by an embroidery technique used in Haute Couture to produce highly sophisticated details. It was a natural choice for DS upholsterers to draw on the great French tradition to decorate stitched interiors, upholstered seats and make this stitching technique a distinctive and appealing brand design feature. 

Time in motion

DS is continuing its partnership with B.R.M Chronographs, with an exclusive animated timepiece, the B.R.M R180. Centred on the dashboard, it leaves its setting and pivots 180^owhen DS 7 CROSSBACK is started.

DS 7 CROSSBACK: inspired by Divine DS and DS E-TENSE

“At DS, the advanced innovations seen on concept cars add life and bold spirit to our production vehicles.” Thierry Metroz, Director of Style, DS Automobiles

The idea behind the 4 ‘Inspirations’ of DS 7 CROSSBACK was revealed in September 2014 on the Divine DS Concept car, a model with ‘Haute Couture’ personalisation. The DS E-TENSE Concept car, revealed in 2016, featured DS light signatures, with DS ACTIVE LED VISION at the front and scale-design lights at the rear, the guillochage and ‘Clous de Paris’ motif, the motorised watch by B.R.M and the cooperation with Focal®.

Technology for greater efficiency and driving comfort

“A plug-in hybrid petrol drivetrain with 300hp and 4WD, features the latest new-generation Efficient Automatic Transmission 8-speed (EAT8), THP 225 S&S petrol engine, two electric motors and, above all, endowed DS 7 CROSSBACK with the best innovative features and enhancements. This is a car in which power goes hand-in-hand with real performance, respects the environment and provides increased safety.” Eric Apode, VP, Products and Business Development