► New No4 hatchback revealed
► Follows the styling of the No8
► New EV powertrain added
This is the DS4, but not as we knew it. DS is going a bit bolder, adding more jewellery to its new model. ‘On No4 we are bringing together the vertical and very slim V-shaped signature of the DRLs from our DS e-Tense Performance concept car,’ says design director Theirry Metroz.
‘We were also inspired by our new flagship, No8, to create this horizontal light line that connects the lit-up grille to the illuminated DS badge,’ he added. ‘The combination gives a dramatic and easily recognizable result.’
With that in mind, the bonnet has been extended by 12mm and now eats into a new-look grille. On each side you’ll find a new light signature which borrows from DS’ recent e-Tense performance concept as well as its No8 flagship. At the rear, expect the usual complex light designs and a floating roof.
Overall, the No4 is 4400mm in length, 1870mm wide and 1470mm high.
Changes are less dramatic inside, though now you get a larger 10.25-inch instrument cluster than before. The biggest change comes in the form of an all-new electric powertrain not previously offered with the DS4. It’ll extract a range of 280 miles WLTP from its conservatively sized 58.3kWh battery (useable) and power is 210bhp with 253ft lbs of torque. It also includes a heat pump.
The plug in hybrid powertrain returns, though now with an EV-only range 30% better than before. Its four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine makes 222bhp combined with an electric motor and seven-speed dual clutch auto ‘box.
Finally, the mild hybrid uses a compact 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo and adds a small 28bhp e-motor bolted onto the six-speed box. It makes 143bhp altogether.
Prices for the new DS No4 start at £32,200 for a base-spec mild hybrid model, with the cheapest electric version clocking in at £36,995.
Curtis Moldrich is CAR magazine’s Digital Editor and has worked for the brand for the past five years. He’s responsible for online strategy, including CAR’s website, social media channels such as X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, and helps on wider platform strategy as CAR magazine branches out on to Apple News+ and more.
By Curtis Moldrich
CAR's Digital Editor, F1 and sim-racing enthusiast. Partial to clever tech and sports bikes