DS Aero Sport Lounge concept hints at a flagship crossover vehicle
On Wednesday, French brand DS unveiled an impressive crossover concept that will be unveiled alongside the new DS 9 flagship sedan at the Geneva International Motor Show next week.
The new concept is called the DS Aero Sport Lounge and features a 670 hp battery-powered powertrain developed with lessons learned from the DS Formula E program.
The powertrain consists of a single electric motor that receives power from a 110 kWh battery. According to DS, the Aero Sport Lounge accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in less than 2.8 seconds. The claimed range is 400 miles, but that's likely based on the WLTP cycle used overseas; EPA-estimated range will be closer to 300 miles.
Other specifications include an overall length of 16.4 feet and 23-inch wheels designed to minimize turbulence. Indeed, optimal aerodynamic efficiency played an important role in shaping much of the Aero Sport Lounge concept.
DS has not revealed the interior, but the dashboard does not have the typical screens of modern cars. Instead, it uses a pair of bars that display augmented reality-like information. Ultrasonic-based haptic feedback and voice-activated gesture control are used to control some of the car's functions, as well as screens that can serve as a replacement for traditional side mirrors. [DS has neither confirmed nor denied whether the Aero Sport Lounge Concept will ever become a production vehicle, but CEO Beatrice Fouché has said that the design foreshadows the future of the brand and suggested that such a model may already be in development.
"If we present a concept with a new body shape and a luxury interior made of original materials with a firm commitment, it is because our projects in this area are already very advanced," she said.
Unfortunately, there are currently no plans to release the DS in the United States. However, Carlos Tavares, CEO of DS's parent company, PSA Group, has talked about DS eventually becoming a global brand. Peugeot is currently the only PSA Group brand for the US. The official release date remains 2026, but it could arrive within the next three to four years.
The Geneva Motor Show will open on March 3. More information about other cars that will be presented at the Swiss show can be found on a specialized website.
