With the DS 7 Crossback, the former Citroen subsidiary DS Automobiles broke away from the parent company in 2018 and embarked on a long journey. Now we are in for a facelift of the DS 7 later this year, which does without the name suffix, but visually and technically has some highlights in store.
New DS 7 revealed
The premium SUV DS 7 gets an extensive technical and visual update and loses the name suffix Crossback. The new design language of the French automaker is already evident on the exterior. However, the new DS 7 is not quite as futuristic as the E-Tense Performance.
The DS 7 is manufactured in Mulhouse and relies on an eye-catching front end with a redesigned radiator grille and new DS Wings that visually extend the grille. In combination with the new light signature (DS Pixel LED Vision 3.0 and DS Light Veil), this results in a fresh, beefy look.
This is further enhanced by the bulky bumper and the new wheels, which can be up to 21 inches in size. The new DS 7 is offered in six paint colors, two of which are new additions: Silk Gray (familiar from the DS 4) and Sapphire Blue.
Thanks to a new tailgate trim, the rear of the DS 7 looks visually stretched. And indeed: in terms of dimensions, the SUV has grown and now measures 4.59 meters in length (+ 2 cm), 1.90 meters in width (+ 1 cm) and 1.63 meters in height (+1 cm).
The 2022 facelift largely dispenses with chrome elements. Here, DS Automobiles focuses on a dynamic look with sharp lines. Among other things, the DS Wings, the window frames and the surrounds of the taillights are available in matte black. Even the manufacturer’s logo at the front and rear can now be ordered in black on request.
But there is another reason for the omission of chrome. “A lot of energy and CO2 is consumed in the production of chromium. The renunciation of many chrome elements is thus also accompanied by a more economical and sustainable production,” writes the manufacturer.
A lot of new things inside, too
The DS 7’s innovations are not limited to the exterior, however. A lot has also been done in the interior. For example, the designers have once again been inspired by the major fashion houses in Paris. This has resulted in a new interior called Opera, which, in addition to Basalt Black, is now available in Pearl Gray for the first time and represents the upper end of the DS equipment options.
The new upholstery is intended to provide a high-quality ambience and relies on the finest nappa leather in a natural look, which, thanks to line embossing, picks up on the design of the daytime running lights, DS Light Veil.
In addition to Opera, the second highest trim level, Rivoli, also offers plenty of finesse. The interior is finished in Basalt Black and features intense diamond quilting combined with leather. The entry-level Bastille interior has been refreshed with new fabric trim and grain in a scale pattern in Basalt Black.
Optionally, the DS 7 is also available in a sporty Performance Line, in which the manufacturer relies on Alcantara in a deeper shade of black along with gold and crimson details. In addition, the selection of the Performance Line also has an impact on the design on the outside, many elements on the exterior are thus also in matte black and crimson red.
New technology for the DS 7
So visually, both outside and inside, the new 2022 DS 7 has done a lot. But what about the technology? Numerous innovations await you in this area as well. The infotainment system is one of the biggest changes to the new DS 7 with the introduction of the DS Iris system.
This solution offers a completely revamped interface that is fully configurable, responsive and seamlessly embedded. DS Iris lets you customize via voice control navigation, climate control and heated seats, for example, and also provides information about the weather.
The menu of the high-resolution 12-inch touchscreen consists of widgets, all of which can be freely customized. The Mirror Screen function for smartphones is now also available wirelessly (via Wi-Fi).
With DS Pixel LED Vision 3.0, another technical innovation moves into the DS 7. The Pixel function offers the advantage of optimum lighting without dazzling oncoming traffic. The luminous flux is stronger and more uniform with an increased range of 380 meters for high beam. At the same time, the module is composed of 84 LEDs spread over three rows.
DS Light Veil is the new daytime running light in the DS 7, inspired by work on the DS X E-Tense and DS Aero Sport Lounge concept cars. The light appears to move through the color of the body. DS Light Veil consists of the daytime running light module and four other vertical light elements made up of 33 LEDs. The innovation comes through the manufacturing process: the laser-engraved polycarbonate surface is painted on the inside so it appears alternately bright and body-colored. The system even lights up and goes out when the car is locked and unlocked.
The DS 7 also gets a 360-degree camera called Vision 360, which offers excellent all-around visibility thanks to high-resolution cameras. However, it is only active at low speeds.
This is joined by highlights already familiar from the DS 7 Crossback. Among them are the camera-controlled, active suspension (DS Active Scan Suspension), the infrared camera including night vision function with a range of 300 meters (DS Night Vision), DS Driver Attention Monitoring, DS Drive Assist and the FOCAL Electra Sound System, which consists of 14 speakers, a subwoofer and an amplifier with a total output of 515 watts.
Motorizations: DS 7 also available as a plug-in hybrid
The DS 7 is offered in a total of four engine configurations. Three plug-in hybrid versions and one diesel version, so there is accordingly no gasoline engine. Unlike its compatriots from Peugeot, who also offer the new 408 as a gasoline engine, but not with a diesel engine. As early as 2025, DS Automobiles plans to offer only all-electric and plug-in hybrid versions.
With the DS 7 E-Tense 4×4 360, you can expect an even more powerful engine than before. Here, the SUV relies on 265 kW system power (360 hp), all-wheel drive, PureTech engine with 147 kW (200 hp) and two electric motors with 81 kW (110 hp) in the front and 83 kW (112 hp) in the rear.
The chassis is lowered by 15 mm, the track is wider (+24 mm in front, +10 mm in the rear) and the front brakes have a diameter of 380 millimeters with special brake calipers from the motorsport department DS Performance. The DS 7 E-Tense 4×4 360 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds.
Joining them:
- DS 7 E-Tense 4×4 300: 220 kW system output (300 hp) with all-wheel drive
- DS 7 E-Tense 225: 165 kW system power (225 hp) with front-wheel drive, PureTech gasoline engine with 133 kW (180 hp) and an electric motor in front with 81 kW (110 hp)
- DS 7 BlueHDi 130: 96 kW (130 hp) diesel engine with automatic transmission
Prices and availability
The new DS 7 should be available in Germany in late autumn 2022. The manufacturer has not yet given details on prices, but orders should be possible shortly. The final prices will also be provided then.
