FRENCH FIRM ON THE MONEY

electric engine, not that is available with four-wheel drive. Under the floor there’s a typically small 13.2 KWH lithium-ion battery that can give up to 34-40 miles (on the WLTP test) of electric-only running.

In practice, you will not manage this in the real world, especially if you start using the car’s total system output of 296bhp. You won’t be travelling for even 34 miles in silence and neither will you get anywhere near the DS7 E-tense’s official WLTP fuel consumption of 166.2-235.4mpg.

The battery takes two hours to charge using a 6.6kwh charger or eight hours from a domestic socket. The battery itself doesn’t take up any passenger or luggage space but it and the entire hybrid system does add a huge 300kg to the weight of the DS7. The E-tense’s performance is brisk rather than stunning, with 0-62mph taking 5.9sec and a top speed of 149mph. The switches on the centre console have a diamond-like finish. There’s also a rather nice clock made by B.R.M that swivels out when you turn on the ignition. Diamonds are a common theme in this car, including optional diamond stitching, diamondshaped screen graphics and more. But forget the individual details because when you step into the DS7 it’s the whole ambience that strikes you.

It’s refreshingly different from a typically staid and dark Audi or Mercedesbenz interior. It’s bright and fresh, more like a Volvo.

To drive the DS7 E-tense feels very refined. The ride is reasonably good, but for a company that prides itself on providing the most comfortable cars possible, it could be better.

However, the seats are very good on backside and other parts.

TASTY TOUCHES: A A camera camera reads reads the the road ahead and adjusts the suspension settings to suit.

FAST OR LAST: Not as fast as it looks on paper.

WONGA WONDER: Not great value for money.