Bond-like beast that has a licence to thrill
EDWARD STEPHENS 00-HEAVEN AS HE TESTS
THE LUXURIOUS DS9
WITH flush fitting door handles that spring out as you approach, headlights with six individual lenses that all revolve independently and change colour like something out of a disco plus a camera that reads the road ahead to ensure comfort, the DS9 is like something out of a James Bond movie.
And with an interior embellished with a plethora of diamond shapes on the dashboard, centre console and steering wheel, Diamonds are For Ever is the film that immediately springs to mind.
This car is a class act from France that even 007 wouldn’t turn his nose up at.
With a dramatic 3D-effect grille at the front and rear lights that look like they are covered in scales it’s a very distinctive car.
The very upmarket DS9 is different. Different in style, different in concept and different in its gadgetry.
And as the flagship of the DS range it inevitably carries a premium price. The Rialto spec car driven here – with its optional extras – was a hefty £55,000, but then this is a car which is made for buyers looking for quality and seeking a sense of individuality away from the ubiquitous German premier brands.
But while it’s a futuristic, eyecatching car it also gives a nod to the past – mirroring the roofline of the iconic DS of 1955.
Measuring just under five metres long it’s a big car so passengers are spoiled for both comfort and legroom.
But despite its dimensions its Park Pilot feature means it is capable of automatically placing itself perfectly between the lines of a supermarket parking space with very little help from the driver.
For those who prefer to park the car themselves, however, there are parking sensors all round and a double view reversing camera – giving a 360 degree picture from above as well as the rear aspect.
Inside, it’s luxury all the way with top quality Nappa leather in a quilted design on the seats as well as leather on the centre console, door panels and dashboard.
The electrically adjustable front seats are heated for winter and cooled for summer and come with a multi programme massaging feature including one called cat’s paw. Rear seats, too, have the same massage feature.
Drivers benefit from a sharp, 12-inch touchscreen for onboard features and a 12.3-inch instrument cluster.
And I particularly liked the classic chronometer on the top of the dashboard which revolves into view as you start the car.
Power for this hybrid model – a pure petrol version is also available – comes from a 1.6litre petrol engine working in tandem with a 110bhp electric motor to give a combined power output of 225 bhp.
And while the range on pure electric is just 33 miles the DS9 is capable of reaching speeds of 83 miles per hour on the electric motor alone, and charging from zero to full takes just one hour and 45 minutes.
You can drive the car in pure electric mode but you also have a choice of different settings – including Comfort and Sport – when driving with the power coming from the combination of both engine and electric motor.
And if you need to there’s a facility to charge the battery partly or fully from the engine if it’s running low
The DS9 is packed with all the safety features you would expect and many you wouldn’t, including night vision which in poor light gives you a picture in infrared on the instrument display of pedestrians, cyclists and animals up to 100 metres ahead of you.
And the DS Active LED Vision gives superb night time illumination with the beam varying to suit town, country or motorway work.
An eight-speed automatic gearbox is seamless in action and helps keep the revs low to ensure the interior is always impressively quiet. Paddles behind the steering wheel allow you to change gear manually if you want to but with this set-up you rarely feel the need.
With 225bhp the DS9 is not lacking when it comes to responsive power but it’s the luxury element that is the most striking and definitely its biggest selling point.