The DS 9 model is the third representative and at the same time the penultimate novelty in the current portfolio of the French carmaker, which offers cars with a hallmark of exceptionality and a significant dose of originality. The DS 7 and DS 3 models have so far aimed at the SUV category, which is so popular today, until the DS 9 model comes with a clear attack on the premium sedan category. With the latest news, the DS 4 model, the automaker is successfully treading water in the compact hatchback segment.
The new model DS 4 was also supposed to be our editorial car last week, but some damage to this car put the previously tested "nine" in our way. Currently, however, it was a plug-in hybrid version of the E-TENSE 225, in a higher RIVOLI trim level.
Of course, such an offer is not rejected, all the more so when considering that the comfortably tuned chassis will be seconded by the possibility of a purely electric drive of a plug-in hybrid design.
Exterior
The DS 9 model is a premium sedan with very elegant shapes, the extended wheelbase effectively stretches the car and gives it the hallmark of a limousine that will be able to present you.
The attractive shapes and elaborate details of the "nine" successfully take over from its sibling models, mainly from the DS 7 model. This is most noticeable in the front part, which is dominated by a voluminous mask with very fine detailing and prominent chrome plating around its perimeter. In addition, this chrome underlines the front headlights in a very effective way and is also significantly cut into the bumper itself.
In the DS 9, the headlights are again equipped with the famous rotating modules, which can put on a really impressive show. Furthermore, we have a line of daytime running lights, which with its typical light signature clearly indicates which stable this car comes from.
The automatically retractable door handles, which already came with the DS 3 model, also decorate the side parts of the DS 9. It is also worth mentioning the "positions" on the C-pillars, which successfully refer to the iconic DS 19. We also have the rear brake light, imaginatively integrated into trunk lid.
From a wide stance at the front, we slowly move to a very decent rear section. Here there are lamps with a typical interior design, as well as their chrome underlining disappearing in the side parts of the car. The whole composition is completed by a pair of honest chrome exhaust tips.
The DS 9 model is definitely an exceptional car in terms of exterior design, its quite simple and elegant shape is contrasted with a strong emphasis on detail.
Interior
The interior of the tested DS 9 continues the established trend of the exterior and offers elegant shaping and the aforementioned sense of detail. It also impresses with a certain richness and excellent workmanship. In the case of the tested piece, in addition, a really elegant combination of OPERA RUBIS red interior (including NAPPA leather), which is combined with black Alcantara in the place of the pillars and the entire ceiling of the car.
Of course, even in the interior we cannot avoid the similarity with the DS 7 model. The continuous dashboard is identically "fused" with the massive central panel, which is equipped with an automatic transmission selector and individual controls for the electric windows, parking brake or drive mode selector.
The elegant continuity of the dashboard is interrupted only by the on-board infotainment display. With its twelve inches, it creates a relatively significant dominant feature of the entire dashboard. In addition, it has very pleasant graphics and, thanks to the bottom bar with quick selection, also completely logical controls.
As usual, I complain about the graphic presentation of the fully digital instrument panel in front of the driver, a certain diamond (diamond) motif pervades the entire display, which, however, makes the displayed data not completely clear and even unnecessarily playful.
On the contrary, clear words of praise must go to the richly dimensioned interior space of the DS 9 model. The individual seats in the car are also very comfortable, spacious and comfortable. The extended wheelbase of the car then quite logically indulges the crew in the back seats the most. Thanks to the low position behind the steering wheel and the continuous dashboard with a massive central panel, you are pleasantly surrounded by the car as a driver and passenger, in the context of the tested color and material combination, this statement is doubly true.
The luggage compartment will offer decent floor plan dimensions, but due to the shape of the body, it is quite low and will offer an average volume of 510 liters overall.
Engines offered and driving impressions of the plug-in hybrid version
We have successfully finished the editorial test of the car with the "basic" petrol 16- litre, now we have got our hands on its next, electrified version. The base of the E-TENSE 225 plug-in hybrid version is the already announced PureTech 16-cylinder gasoline engine, which in this particular variant is tuned to 133 kW of power (180 hp) and reaches maximum torque values of 300 Nm. Even in this case, the gasoline engine works very well with the eight-speed automatic transmission.
The car is also equipped with an 81 kW (110 hp) electric motor with a maximum torque of 320 Nm. The total cumulative power of this plug-in hybrid system reaches 225 hp with a maximum torque of 360 Nm.
The E-TENSE 225 also has a battery with a capacity of 11.9 kWh, which gives it a "paper" range of around 46-50 km purely on electric energy. In reality, however, expect a range of around 40 km.
I will start the evaluation of the driving performance of the currently tested version with the chassis, because in the case of the DS 9 it is what makes this car so comfortable. The car is equipped with the DS ACTIVE SCAN SUSPENSION system (supplied as standard for the RIVOLI version), in which there is a certain cooperation between the front camera and the adaptive chassis. The camera scans the surface in front of the car and the adaptive chassis is able to react to the current surface thanks to the available information. The entire system then operates up to a speed of 130 km/h, thus greatly contributing to overall driving comfort.
We also have a choice of driving modes, sport, comfort, hybrid or pure electric mode quite noticeably changes the behavior of the car. Sport mode stiffens the chassis, changes the effectiveness of the power steering, the car's reaction to the gas pedal also changes, and the "nine" is much more "squeezing" the petrol sixteen-cylinder, which is also supported by an electric motor. The car is quite confident in the corners, but you have to take into account the higher weight of the plug-in hybrid version and also the fact that this car is primarily about comfort on board. Comfort mode calms the whole car and the "nine" is pleasantly smooth. The activated electric mode will significantly enrich the overall comfort on board with a quiet driving performance.
Zero electric range means the DS 9 starts to behave like a hybrid. It therefore stores part of the electrical energy and thus allows you to save fuel for the gasoline engine in this case as well. Car charging takes place classically at charging stations or via a home socket, another option is recharging with the engine and, of course, recuperation. Recuperation then takes place via the automatic transmission selector, which is ergonomically ideally placed within the massive central tunnel. Its activation is therefore completely comfortable and you often prefer it to the brake pedal.
As for consumption, in pure electric mode the car presented me with values of around 17 kWh / 100 km, the almost summer weather definitely played into the "nine"'s cards, but I still praise it for this value. I only start monitoring gasoline consumption when the electric range is zero, but even then it's quite an alchemy, quite a lot of unknowns enter the equation. However, the hybrid drive saves some fuel and in combined operation I was around 7.5 l / 100 km, i.e. another quite positive figure.
The plug-in hybrid under the hood of the DS 9 makes a lot of sense to me, the driving behavior of this drivetrain, including purely electric driving, adequately follows the enormous comfort on board, as well as the certain buoyancy that this chassis can offer. Another advantage is that in the case of a plug-in, it is ideal if you think a little about the drive, anticipate it, this then has the effect that thoughts of a denser engine, which the DS 9 definitely deserves, will stop running through your head 🙂
In conclusion
The DS 9 model is available from CZK 1,325,000 including VAT, with a turbocharged PureTech petrol engine (165kW, 300Nm), eight-speed automatic and PERFORMANCE Line equipment. The same specification is then available in the higher trim level RIVOLI from 1,425,000 including tax.
The offer also includes the plug-in hybrid version, E-TENSE 225, E-TENSE 250 and the top E-TENSE 360 4×4. Each of these plug-in hybrid versions is again available in the PERFORMANCE Line and RIVOLI equipment levels. The E-TENSE 225 version starts from CZK 1,525,000 (PERFORMANCE Line), the E-TENSE 250 from CZK 1,575,000 (PERFORMANCE Line) and the top E-TENSE 360 4×4 from CZK 1,775,000 (PERFORMANCE Line). The top trim level of the RIVOLI is always CZK 100,000 more expensive.
Traditionally, the price of the car includes a warranty for 5 years / 100,000 km as well as a FreeDrive service contract for the same range. This includes all mandatory service, including service work and replacement of worn parts. The car manufacturer offers a warranty of 8 years / 160,000 km on the battery.
The DS 9 model has expanded the portfolio of offered cars by a piece that perfectly fits into the car company's concept. It is therefore a distinctive and imaginative car that offers a very comfortable driving experience. Within its segment, it is no competition, but a certain alternative that brings an original approach. The currently tested plug-in hybrid version then brings with it all the advantages of this drive and significantly pushes its own limits of driving comfort.
Source: Author's text
Image source: Author's own photos
