This is the DS 7 Crossback E-Tense 4x4, which is the French luxury brand's first attempt at a 4x4 version of its SUV - and also its first plug-in hybrid (PHEV). It uses a new PHEV drivetrain that Peugeot has already lined up for the 3008, which sees a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged 'PureTech' petrol engine rated at 200hp accompanied by a pair of electric motors - one front-mounted, the other housed at the rear of the E-Tense - that produce 80kW (110hp) each. Sadly, the total output of the system is not actually 420hp, but it's still a pretty decent 300hp backed up by 450Nm, which means the Crossback E-Tense can do 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds and yet is also capable of 83mph in its full EV mode (where it has a range of 31 miles). An eight-speed automatic transmission handles the power distribution to all wheels and DS claims the interior and boot space are both unaffected by the PHEV running gear, as the 13.2kWh lithium-ion battery is mounted in the floor. The DS 7 E-Tense will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October.

24 Sep 2018