For Bastille Day – French President Macron gets a DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE with Hydraulic Suspension
Since the beginning of the Fifth Republic, DS and SM models have supported milestones in the history of France. From General de Gaulle’s DS 19 and the large presidential saloons made by Chapron, to the most recent models, this historic collaboration embodies the excellence of French savoir-faire at the State’s highest level.
For the 14 July 2026 parade, DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE joins the President of the French Republic’s fleet. A proper mobile office developed to meet the requirements of the presidential position, the DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE combines thoroughly redesigned interior comfort through a lengthened chassis, hydro-pneumatic suspension and special features with a high level of security guaranteed by built-in armour.
In line with PRESIDENTIAL DS N°8, a vehicle for parades used during the May 8, 2025 Victory Day commemorations, the DS N°7 ELYSÉE becomes the Presidency of the French Republic’s first official 100% electric model.
A unique transformation carried out for the Presidency of the Republic
DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE features full armour meeting the Presidency of the Republic’s specifications. Its wheelbase extended by 25 centimetres, compared to a standard DS N°7, provides exceptionally generous rear space. This transformation is combined with a full adaptation of the running gear which incorporates exclusive hydro-pneumatic suspension that guarantees the best balance between comfort, handling and robustness. (Quite the claim, since Citroën eliminated hydro-pneumatic suspension on June 4, 2015, and Citroën has since downplayed the advantages of hydro-pneumatic suspension in favour of Progressive Hydraulic Cushion Suspension.) The shock absorbers that it uses have been developed and fine-tuned in France.
How exclusive is the hydro-pneumatic suspension?
In Stellantis’ wording, “exclusive hydro-pneumatic suspension” means the DS N°7 Élysée is fitted with a hydro-pneumatic suspension system whose hardware has been developed/fine-tuned for this presidential conversion. What’s “new and different” about it (as described by Stellantis) is mainly the purpose-built integration rather than a different kind of suspension than hydro-pneumatic in general:
- It’s part of a full adaptation of the running gear for the Élysée conversion, intended to deliver the “best balance” between comfort, handling, and robustness.
- The shock absorbers used in this setup have been developed and fine-tuned in France for the vehicle’s specific requirements (including the presidential-spec build and lengthened chassis).
The DS N°7 Élysée uses DS ACTIVE SCAN SUSPENSION, a controlled-damping system. It works by using a camera mounted at the top of the windscreen to analyze the road surface in a few milliseconds, then a computer individually adjusts each shock absorber using a motorized solenoid valve—so it can anticipate bumps and maintain a balance between comfort and driving pleasure.
Stellantis’ press text doesn’t give more granular engineering specifics (e.g., electronically controlled vs. purely self-leveling, additional anti-roll functions, etc.) beyond that “exclusive” hydro-pneumatic suspension + France-developed/fine-tuned dampers for the presidential running-gear adaptation.
Presidential Accoutrements
Among the distinctive features, there are also the fittings needed on a presidential car:
- Removable flag holders;
- Special light signalling;
- In-car security equipment;
A unique work and presentation space
DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE has been designed as a mobile office perfectly adapted to the requirements of the presidential office. The rear layout has been completely redesigned to match use by the Head of State. The rear side window tinting can also be adjusted through a range of intensity adaptable to the car’s different usages.
An exterior in the French Republic’s colours
DS Automobiles has designed every detail to express the car’s French identity and ceremonial purpose with subtlety and elegance. DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE has an exclusive Liberty Blue body colour. Its illuminated DS LUMINASCREEN grille lights up with the Blue-White-Red of the French Republic, colours that are repeated on the bonnet badge, the rear tailgate trim as well as in the wheel centre caps.
A refined interior that’s an ambassador for French expertise
The interior combines high-quality materials and upholstery craftsmanship. Two harmonies complement each other: a predominantly light grey at headlining level covered in Alcantara® contrasting with the Eternal Blue Nappa leather and Alcantara® trim of the watchstrap upholstery seats and door panels. The dashboard includes ash wood trim whose laser engraving features a design with the effigy of Marianne. The trim of the air vents and X-shaped steering wheel are embellished with embossed insert patterns, a DS Automobiles signature. Exclusive signatures, such as “RF” embroidery and tricolour accents enhanced with Light Gold pearl stitching, emphasise the car’s unique character.
A showcase of French industrial savoir-faire
DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE is also the expression of a French industrial sector rallying around a special project. Its development and transformation called on skills spread throughout the national territory: the car’s armour and construction in Brittany at Centigon, battery manufactured in Hauts-de-France at ACC, electric motors made in the Grand-Est, suspension developed in Occitanie and even audio systems developed and built in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
A French electric powertrain demonstrating excellence
Based on DS N°7 AWD Long Range, DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE gets a 100% electric 350 horsepower E-TENSE drivetrain powered by a 97.2 kWh battery. Power is transmitted to the 4-wheel drive via two electric motors. This architecture combines performance, quiet operation and comfortable travel, while meeting the performance and security requirements of the presidential office.
DS N°7’s official debut
As it turns its wheels for the first time, DS N°7 ÉLYSÉE heralds the upcoming arrival of DS N°7, a new compact SUV providing comfort, driving serenity and refinement with: DS DRIVE ASSIST 2.0, DS NIGHT VISION, DS PIXELVISION, the extended head-up display and the latest generation of connectivity enhancing the in-car experience. Replacing DS 7, DS Automobiles’ first creation, N°7 offers a high level of comfort and benchmark spaciousness as well as being available in 100% electric E-TENSE versions providing up to 740 km of range on the WLTP combined cycle and in a HYBRID powertrain with emissions from 120 g/km of CO2.
The DS N°7 will go on sale this September.