DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE was named “Concept of the Year” at the 2023 GQ Auto Awards held in London in February. The awards, which are given only to electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles this year, focused on selecting vehicles that are inspiring, interesting, have automotive integrity and raise the heart of the jury.
DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE was developed by DS Performance, the motorsport division of DS Automobiles, as a high-performance laboratory linked to the brand's double-championship Formula E programme. The same electric motors found in electric racing vehicles are used in DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE. A total of 815 horsepower and 8.000 Nmzam DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE, which produces a torque, can reach 0 to 100 km / h in just 2 seconds. Using a 350kW charge, the vehicle's batteries can be fully charged in just 5 minutes. The prototype also sheds light on the future of electric vehicles by investigating whether regenerative braking alone is sufficient in future models instead of using traditional brake discs and pads. Although regenerative braking is already available in most electric vehicles, the technology is currently used to complement conventional disc brakes. However, DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE allowed DS Automobiles to explore whether regenerative braking could be the only way to do away with traditional technology, helping to slow vehicles down and better charge the battery in the process.
GQ Associate Editor Paul Henderson says, “DS has a secret: They don't make stylish and premium models at extremely affordable prices. zammoments, they like to do a little mischief. They free their designers, allowing them to bring the wildest ideas to life and turn the results into amazing concept vehicles like the DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE. This astonishing 815 hp all-electric coupe is equipped with Formula E technology and can accelerate to 0-100 km/h in less than 2 seconds. Same zam'Experimental Color Changing' paint is also being used at the moment.” said.
Julie David, Managing Director of DS Automobiles UK, said: “We are delighted that the GQ jury appreciated the brilliance of the DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE prototype, the future of the DS brand and our future road vehicles. Every new model we launch from 2024 will be electric, and all our road cars will benefit directly from technology developed by the DS Performance Formula E program.” he said.
Eugenio Franzetti, DS Performance Director: “Motorsport zammoment has been an outstanding research and development tool, using experience gained in racing to develop road cars. Likewise, concept cars are real technology and design laboratories that inspire the cars of the future every day. The DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE is the perfect combination of motorsport experience and the vision of the future of cars. Derived directly from a Formula E vehicle, this prototype shows just how far DS Automobiles' 100 percent electric cars will go in a short time.”