A bit of 7 heaven from DS

IF YOU fancy a large piece of chic French luxury then you’ll want to check out the new DS 7.

With the order books opening in August, the sizeable SUV will be available with a choice of three plug-in petrol-electric hybrid powertrains as well as a diesel option.

The plug-in line-up comes with three power options developing either 225, 300 or 360hp, with the lower powered front-wheel-drive version using a PureTech 180 engine mated to a 110hp electric motor.

Four-wheel-drive is fitted to the DS 7 E-Tense 300 and DS 7 E-Tense 360, which have a PureTech 200 unit as well as 110hp and 112hp electric motors on each of the axles.

All have eight-speed automatic transmissions, while DS will also be offering a 103 BlueHDi diesel engine in the new model.

Performance details are still to be announced but DS has revealed that the DS 7 E-Tense 360 has a brisk 0-62mph time of 5.6 seconds, with an electric-only range of up to 40 miles and a recharging time of two hours.

Externally, a stunning light array features pixel LED headlamps with distinctive daytime running lights flowing downwards while a vortex-effect is used in slimmer style rear light clusters.

Inside, you’ll find high-quality upholstery and a redesigned 12in touchscreen with a widgetbased menu for controlling the navigation, ventilation and audio systems.

A customisable large 12in digital instrument panel features graphics with information such as energy flow on plug-in hybrid versions.

Technology remains high and the new model keeps DS’s camera-based active-scan suspension, a night-vision set-up as well as a new driver-attention monitoring system.

A semi-autonomous driving mode uses adaptive cruise control to initiate stopping and restarting without the driver intervening and an aid that enables lane positioning.

Prices are still to be announced but first vehicles will appear in DS Stores in September.