Debuting at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show (Mar. 3 – 16) will be Citroën’s DS E-Tense, an electric sports coupe that also likely previews the brand’s future styling trends.
One interesting detail is the pair of roof-mounted rear turn signals, a nod to the original 1955 DS.
While some automakers use styling to advertise a car’s electric power-train, the E-Tense has many elements that look like they’d be at home in a gas-engined sports car, including a massive grille and copious air intakes. The E-Tense looks to take aim at the Audi R8, Maserati GranTurismo, Nissan 370Z and Porsche 911.
The DS E-Tense concept has an electric dual motor power-train rated at 402 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. Citroën claims that it propels the coupe from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, and to a top speed of 250 km/h. A lithium-ion battery pack mounted under the floor gives the E-Tense a range of 310-360 kms, though probably measured on a highly optimistic testing cycle.
Length is 4.72 m and height is 1.29 m. The chassis is made from carbon fiber, helping keep weight to around 3,600 pounds.
Inside the two-seat cockpit, the driver sees straight ahead a 12-inch display screen that acts as the gauge cluster, as well as a 10-inch display screen in the center console that handles infotainment functions. Aluminum elements with contrasting leather, surmounted by a steel structure where the central touch screen seems to come out. DS designers worked in collaboration with French luxury brands such as Moynat and BRM (Chronograph). Some unusual features include a one-off BRM watch that can be affixed to the center console or worn as a wristwatch, and a handmade helmet harnesses.
Some of its styling may be incorporated into future DS production models, but the E-Tense itself will likely remain a piece of concept-car whimsy.
