New DS No8: class-leading range for premium EV

• Up to 466 miles of range
• On sale mid-2025; prices expected from £45,000
• DS moves upmarket with “serene” No8 fastback

DS is redoubling its efforts to break into the top ranks of premium cars with its new No8. The EV fastback is aiming to take on the BMW i4, Polestar 4, and Tesla Model Y with faster charging and a longer driving range than its rivals. DS says the No8 will focus on delivering a “serene” drive and “absolute comfort.”

Two- and four-wheel drive versions of the No8 will be available, and there are three power options to choose from. The most potent is a 345bhp model with four-wheel drive, while the most efficient claims to offer a 466-mile driving range and up to 310 miles of motorway driving between rapid charges.

What are the important specs for the DS No8?

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DS defines serenity as both the way the No8 drives and pampers its occupants, and how it delivers the EV driving experience. The French luxury offshoot of Stellantis reckons EV drivers want faster charging to reduce the number and duration of stops on longer journeys. The company says the No8 is capable of driving from Paris, where the car has been designed, to Lyon on a single charge. That’s 280 miles, or the same as driving from London to Newcastle.

The No8’s batteries have been developed and are produced in France. There are three drivetrains, offering 227, 242, or 345bhp. The most powerful version has twin motors and four-wheel drive, while the front-wheel drive DS No8 FWD Long Range has the 242bhp motor and delivers a claimed 466-mile range.

The flagship 345bhp model is the quickest and manages 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds with all-wheel driving helping, though it normally runs in front-drive form with Eco or Normal modes selected. Sport and AWD options engage the four-wheel drive, or if the car senses a loss of traction to the front wheels. The FWD Long Range covers the 0-62mph sprint in 7.7 seconds. Choose the least powerful 227bhp model and 0-62mph takes 7.8 seconds. All have a top speed restricted to 118mph.

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There is plenty of other tech helping the DS No8 to be as efficient as possible, including its slippery shape. The fastback design has an aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.24Cd, which is only slightly behind a Tesla Model 3. This is achieved with a completely flat underside for the No8, along with active air intakes in the front bumper.

You’re more likely to notice the DS Luminascreen illuminated grille with the DS logo lit up for the first time on a production model. There is also a new light design at the rear with lamps that wrap around the corners of the car. The No8 will also come with duo-tone paintwork with the roof in a contrasting colour the main body.

Inside the DS No8, which is based on the same Stellantis STLA Medium platform as the Peugeot E-3008, it promises plenty of space for passengers in the front and rear. It also has a generous 620-litre boot accessed through a tailgate.

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A large 16-inch central screen uses the DS Iris System 2.0 and can work with voice commands. There is a small screen directly in front of the X-shaped steering wheel to display key driving information. Between the front occupants is a two-tier console with a “floating” top section. There will be two trim levels, Etoile and Pallas, and a choice of five different upholstery options for the interior.

The cabin is trimmed in large swathes of aluminium or wood panels, with plenty of leather. This hide is tanned using non-toxic and biodegradable methods, and many of the materials come from recycled textiles. DS has also shunned any chrome parts in the No8 in favour of a painted effect due to the impact of the chrome plating process on the environment.

What else do I need to know about the DS No8?

The DS introduced a new naming policy for the company’s models. Going forward, all will be called “No”, the French abbreviation for “number”, followed by the model’s digit. We suspect this is a subtle hint at the Chanel No5 perfume brand, which has the luxury overtones that DS is keen to play up. This also emphasises that DS models are designed and built in Paris that is often referred to as the fashion capital of the world.

On a more practical level, super quick recharging is set to be a defining feature of the No8. DS claims the No8 can recharge from 20- to 80% in 27 minutes using a 200kW charger. It can also consistently draw 160kW between 20% and 55%. The DS comes with an onboard 11kW AC charger, with the option of a 22kW version to be offered later. At home, a 7.4kW wall charger will need around 8 hours 50 minutes to take the No8 from 20% to 80% charge. Every DS No8 comes with V2L (vehicle-to-load) plug points to power external devices via a three-pin socket.

Other tech for the No8 includes DS Drive Assist 2.0, which gives the car the ability for semi-autonomous driving between 29 and 87mph. It can let the car perform what DS calls “semi-automatic lane changing” without the driver confirming the move. If the driver does use the indicator, the system can let the car swap lanes automatically. Drive Assist 2.0 also comes with ACC Predictive adaptive cruise control and lane keep assistance, while Active Lane Change Assist checks the car’s blind spots and cars approaching from behind.

How much does the DS No8 cost and when can I buy one?

Exact UK pricing is yet to be confirmed for the DS No8, but the range is expected to cost from £45,000 for the front-wheel drive 227bhp Etoile model. That will rise to as much as £72,000 for the 345bhp, four-wheel drive Pallas version. This puts the DS No8 into direct competition with the BMW i4, Polestar 4, and Tesla Model Y.

Sales of the DS No8 will begin in the UK in mid-2025, so expect to see the car in showrooms then and on the road for the new registration change in September.

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