New 2021 DS 9 saloon: UK prices and specifications revealed

All-new luxury DS 9 flagship saloon available with pure petrol and plug-in hybrid power to take on the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6


Luxury car maker DS has revealed prices and specifications for its new DS 9 flagship saloon, which will start from £40,615 when it goes on sale on 8 April.

The French brand’s alternative to the likes of the Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 is available with either a PureTech petrol engine or a plug-in hybrid powertrain that offers up to 34 miles of all-electric range. 

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The DS 9 grows the UK DS line-up to three models, sitting above the DS 3 Crossback and DS 7 Crossback SUVs as a long-promised halo model. First deliveries will take place later in 2021.

The powertrain line-up consists of either a 222bhp 1.6-litre four-cylinder PureTech petrol unit, or an E-Tense plug-in hybrid option. The plug-in hybrid E-Tense model uses a 178bhp version of the brand’s 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine and an 11.9kWh battery feeding a 108bhp electric motor, for a total combined output of 222bhp, matching the pure petrol car. 

The petrol only option is slightly quicker, sprinting from 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds, while the E-Tense 225 takes an extra two tenths a second to cover the benchmark sprint. Both cars send power to their front wheels through an EAT8 eight-speed automatic gearbox.

DS has also confirmed that a 355bhp plug-in hybrid variant will join the UK line-up in time, offering four-wheel drive. This powertrain will likely be the same as that found in sister brand Peugeot’s 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered performance model.

Efficiency, range and charging

The PureTech 225 claims best efficiency of 40.9mpg and 155g/km CO2, while the E-Tense 225 PHEV offers a combined maximum of 256.8mpg with CO2 emissions as low as 33g/km, depending on specification.

There’s a zero emissions range of up to 34 miles in the plug-in hybrid – and the DS 9 can run in EV mode at up to 84mph – while the 11.9kWh battery takes one hour and 45 minutes to charge using a 7kW wallbox.

Design and engineering

The DS 9 sits on the firm’s EMP2 platform, developed by the Groupe PSA element of the new Stellantis collection of automotive brands, architecture it shares with the DS 7 Crossback SUV and the Peugeot 508 saloon. 

However, the new DS 9 is larger than its Peugeot relation. At 4,930mm long and 1,850mm wide it slots into the full-size executive car market.

There is a fastback element to the car in profile, but it’s more a traditional three-box saloon. The front end takes inspiration from the brand’s other models with a large, diamond mesh chrome-effect grille flanked by chrome headlight detailing, vertical LED running lights and DS Active LED Vision headlights, with five separate automatic modes. A chrome strip runs down the centre of the bonnet to the windscreen, too, signifying the model’s flagship status.

The sides of the DS 9 are a mixture of smooth surfacing and strong lines – the sharp shoulder crease contrasts with flush door handles. The back features the now trademark DS 3D diamond pattern LED taillights, more chrome detailing, a smooth rear bumper, and a nod to the original 1955 DS in the form of the indicators – they’re mounted high on the car’s C-pillars.

The dashboard and interior are heavily based on the DS 7 Crossback’s, with the only real obvious differences being the door panels, interior vents and a storage space beneath the standard central infotainment display. 

Prices, trim levels and technology

As with other DS models, buyers will have different interior ‘inspiration’ choices, each introducing different themes and materials inside. 

From launch in the UK the line-up will consist of Performance Line+ and Rivoli+ trim levels.

The former offers a sporty theme, with standard kit including 19-inch alloy wheels, black Alcantara upholstery, DS Active Vision LED headlights, a 12.3-inch digital dash with a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, keyless operation, a sports steering wheel, electric heated front seats, all-round parking sensors and a reversing camera.

Prices start from £40,615 for the PureTech 225 Performance Line+ model, rising to £46,100 for the E-Tense 225 PHEV in this trim.

Next up is Rovli+, which adds a more luxurious feel, with kit including black leather trim, a different design for its 19-inch alloys, heated and ventilated massage seats, dual-zone climate control and a 360-degree around-view monitor on top of Performance Line+ equipment levels.

There’s also more safety tech, with DS’s Drive Assist feature and a driver attention monitor. The former enables level two semi-autonomous drive functions, combining adaptive cruise control with steering assist and a camera system to pilot the car in a single lane at up to speeds of 111mph. 

Automatic parking assistance is also available, as is DS Night Vision, which uses an infrared camera to display the road ahead in clarity on dark and unlit roads. The DS Smart Access smartphone app enables remote control of the car’s locking system.

Active Scan suspension, which uses a camera to scan the road ahead for bumps and adjusts the suspension accordingly to improve comfort, is standard on all but the base-spec Performance Line+ PureTech 225 model.

Prices for Rivoli+ trim start from £44,715 for the PureTech 225, reflecting its extra kit, rising to £49,200 for the E-Tense 225 model.

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