Currently reading: DS E-Tense Performance is 805bhp hint at future EVs

Supercar builds on 2016's E-Tense concept with technology derived from Formula E

DS has shown the E-Tense Performance, a dramatically reworked version of its E-Tense concept with uprated mechanicals, at the 2022 Paris motor show.

Compared with the 2016 car, it packs significantly enhanced performance courtesy of a new twin-motor powertrain engineered by the DS Performance Formula E race team. A 335bhp motor at the front and a 469bhp motor at the rear combine for a total of 805bhp – more than three times the power of a Formula E racer – and 5900lb ft (at the wheel, not the motor’s exit).

Ds e tense performance concept paris motor show 03

The battery, co-developed with Total Energies, is housed in a carbon-aluminium composite ‘envelope’ at the rear and features a unique chemical make-up and immersive cell- cooling system, which DS said contributes to a maximum discharge rating of 600kW and “enables the exploration of new avenues for future generations of production vehicle”.

The E-Tense Performance hints at the design of DS’s upcoming EVs. At the front, an angular new “surface for expression” replaces the brand’s trademark hexagonal grille, flanked by new-look running lights and a pair of data-collecting cameras.

DS says the cockpit has also “been conceived to gather data”, but the bucket seats and Formula E steering wheel emphasise its sporting intent. DS Performance division boss Thomas Chevaucher said: “The aim is to apply the experience acquired in Formula E and the expertise that we’ve taken from our international titles to a project that predicts the high-performance electric car of tomorrow.”

He didn’t confirm the coupé for production but suggested that it will influence the development of future components used in road cars.

Felix Page

Felix Page
Title: Deputy editor

Felix is Autocar's deputy editor, responsible for leading the brand's agenda-shaping coverage across all facets of the global automotive industry - both in print and online.

He has interviewed the most powerful and widely respected people in motoring, covered the reveals and launches of today's most important cars, and broken some of the biggest automotive stories of the last few years. 

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jason_recliner 7 February 2022

A GT-R shagged an Alpine!  Senastional!

Peter Cavellini 7 February 2022

It's a collection of suggestions at best, designed by a team, it has no Country to say where it comes from.

HughB 7 February 2022

Agree about the i8 look. I have no idea what the DS brand stands for, but this is one of the few concepts that looks ready for production.