DS3 Crossback E-Tense

Premium DS3 Crossback E-Tense offers real-time electric driving

Andrew Walker

DS is the premium brand of the PSA Group and is making in-roads into a sector long dominated by Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Two models launched in 2019, one of which, the DS3 Crossback, now comes with an electric drivetrain, called the E-Tense. It’s an all-electric B-segment SUV that’s offered with the same electric set-up as our current Small EV Car of the Year, the Peugeot e-208.

The PSA Group is deadly serious about EVs and the electric drivetrain of DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is a 100kW (136hp) electric motor with 260Nm of torque, linked to a 50kWh Lithium-ion battery and a system for recovering energy during deceleration and braking. The potential range is 200 miles on the WLTP drive cycle.

Three driving modes are offered: ECO to maximise range, NORMAL and SPORT with extra torque. These are complemented by two energy recovery options, inherited from the PSA Group’s successful Formula E team, which can be controlled by the driver: NORMAL to simulate the behaviour of an internal combustion engine and BRAKE, which decelerates at 1.2 m/s.

E-Tense customers can choose from pretty much the same specs as offered on petrol and diesel versions. Performance Line, Prestige, Ultra Prestige and La Premiere are the four versions available from launch, with prices starting at £30,990, for Performance Line, rising to £36,490 for La Premiere, both including the government grant.

At first glance the E-Tense looks just like a standard DS3 Crossback, but if you look a little closer you’ll notice subtle differences. E-Tense features a Pearl Crystal paint finish, satinchrome finishes, E-Tense emblems and a special rear bumper, which is missing an exhaust pipe. It also comes with door handles which pop out when the car is unlocked, and LED matrix headlights

Inside, the 10” landscape touchscreen is a highlight and the angular electric window switches set in the centre binnacle are also refreshingly different. The top and front of the dashboard are nicely finished in quality plastics but lower down, on the glovebox, centre storage arm rest and door pockets, the quality isn’t as high. It is fully loaded, equipment wise, however, with an electronic parking brake, electrically adjustable and folding door mirrors, keyless start, Hill Start Assist, automatic air conditioning and a Head Up Display.

Connectivity wise, there’s Mirror Screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DS Connect with 3D SatNav, DAB radio and for your mobile, Bluetooth and two front USB connections. The touchscreen works well but we still find it frustrating that you need to adjust the climate controls by touching the screen, rather than manually. Safety kit includes driver and front passenger lateral and curtain airbags with rear lateral and curtain airbags, City park and ESP. On-board storage comes in the form of front and rear door pockets, a front central armrest, a charging space for your phone and keys and a rear parcel shelf. The boot is identical in size to petrol and diesel versions, so you get 300 litres of space and 1,050 litres with the seats folded down.

Front passengers get decent head and legroom, but the DS’s design cocoons you somewhat, almost wrapping itself around you if you’re sat up front. Rear passengers don’t fare quite as well, though. Two adults will fit in nicely but with a tall person sat in front of you, legroom is tight. Furthermore, while the design detail of the shark fin looks different it also reduces light, so the rear area does feel quite dark.

The E-Tense rides on the same underpinnings as petrol and diesel versions of the DS 3 Crossback. In the EV version the 50kWh battery is mounted under the floor, sending drive to the front axle. With 260Nm torque; 0-62mph takes nine seconds and the top speed is 93mph.

If you can find a suitable charging station, the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense can be recharged at 100kW and will go from zero to 80% full in 30

minutes. If you have a 7.2kWh home charger, then this will take a little longer, around five hours. The single phase 7kW on-board charger will be the standard offering for the UK market. Additionally, the car can be charged from a standard domestic socket, but it’s very, very slow and not recommended.

One advantage of the EV version of the DS3 is that you can, via the MyDS smartphone app, remotely programme or activate recharging if the vehicle is plugged in and pre-condition the cabin temperature, based on the weather.

We took the E-Tense out for a couple of hours to see how it drives. Our route took in city centre driving, 36 miles of motorway and some country lanes and B roads. The first thing you’ll notice is that it does feel heavy compared to it’s fossil-fuel brethren. But, as with the e-208, the extra 300kg of battery weight is in the floor of the car, so it doesn’t feel unbalanced. Indeed, someone new to EVs may not even notice this. And, similarly to the Peugeot EV, although it rides well on good and average surfaces, that extra weight means it tends to sink lower into ruts in the road and struggles over poor surfaces, which in turn send a few shudders into the cabin.

Despite this grumble, the E-Tense is fitted with what is currently one of the best electric powertrains out there. In our first hour we drove in Eco mode. It offers just 80bhp but even on the motorway, this gave decent motorway cruising. At an average of 70mph the range does go down faster than if you were driving in town, so do bear that in mind.

We headed out of the city and at motorway speeds the E-Tense is remarkably quiet, even for an EV. DS has introduced thicker door panels, thicker glass and has added an acoustic windscreen, none of which come with the fossil-fuel version. All you can hear is a little outside wind noise, courtesy of the large wing mirrors.

On our return we had a play around with the Drive Selector, switching from Eco to Normal, which increases the power to 107bhp. Things do feel slightly different and there’s a bit more get up and go. Switch up to Sport mode and the full 134bhp is released and the car gets noticeably quicker and more agreeable, too. By shifting the gear selector backwards or forwards on the move you can harness brake

regeneration, which is also a useful addition.

Most people reading this will want to know how we got on with range. When we collected the E-Tense, the mileage charge shown was 141 miles. We drove 47 miles and returned with a reading of 88 miles, which is pretty good considering 36 miles of our journey was on the motorway.

For fleet managers and company car drivers alike, the really good news is the huge discounts running an electric car will bring. The DS3 Crossback E-Tense comes with a 2020/21 BIK of just 0% on all of the range. You also get the Government grant, currently £3,000, off the asking price, as the E-Tense qualifies in Category One for the subsidy. As a price comparison we reckon that an electric car is 25 per cent of the cost of a petrol car and 20 per cent of the cost of a diesel car when it comes to cost per mile, or distance covered. To charge the E-Tense to full on a 7kWh charger from zero takes eight hours. We would recommend always charging to 80 per cent only, which take five hours and is better for the battery life as well.

If this is tickling your fancy, we’d strongly suggest a 7kWh home charger so you can top up at your leisure. We have a Rolec 7kWh charger at the office and it really takes the hassle out of owning an electric vehicle. Drive, return, plug-in, repeat. And DS is offering a free six-month subscription to Polar Plus, so you can plug-in for free when you’re out and about.

Verdict

The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense really does stand out, even above the ever-so-pretty Peugeot 208. Adding an electric version makes perfect sense, especially for fleet customers. The E-Tense range of 200 miles ends range anxiety, although if you want a 300-mile EV you’ll have to look at Korean rivals such as the KIA Soul and Hyundai Kona. For now, the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is a great addition to the burgeoning EV market.

CC&V RATING: N N N N