Everything I said in the previous article about the DS No 4 being very different, typically DS and all of that applies to the DS No 8, but with bells on. Nothing looks like it.

And yes, it is giving the other premium brands something to think about.

Electric Only

This is the new flagship for the DS Automobiles range, although unlike the new DS No.4, this is a 100 per cent electric car. There are no other options in terms of the powertrain.

However, if you still get that range anxiety feeling whenever a battery-powered car is mentioned, how does the potential for 466 miles sound? It’s taken a while, but battery-driven electric cars are starting to make serious progress, which is typified by the DS No.8. This is the sort of car which doesn’t require compromises, and it could be the one which makes you take the premium plug-in plunge.

Exterior Styling

Pictures can be misleading. Yes, this looks like a big car, but it doesn’t feel it when you’re in the driver’s seat. There’s very little overhang front and back, and the wheels are shoved into the corners, giving the car a long wheelbase. It’s also surprisingly low and sleek with a low drag coefficient, hence the decent battery range. It just slices through the air.

Trims & Prices

Paying £50,790 (March ’26) gets you into the entry level DS No.8 in Pallas trim. The only other trim is Etoile for an extra £4k, although, if you’re quick and want to go completely nuts with the kit, there’s a limited-edition Jules Verne launch model. Paying £64,700 seems decidedly steep though.

If you go for the Pallas trim, this puts out 227bhp, and gives you 341 miles of range, which will suit many of you reading this. Sprinting from 0-60mph takes a respectable 7.1 seconds.

If you want additional mileage, there’s a long-range 242bhp battery which can manage the hugely impressive 466 miles. Going from 0-60mph takes the same time as the Pallas car, but more power means a heavier battery.

Both single-motor No 8s use front-wheel drive.

Move up to Etoile trim and you now have access to an additional twin-motor version, meaning you’ll get all-wheel drive. Power leaps up to 345bhp, but you take a hit with the mileage, which drops to a predicted 427 miles due to the additional weight of the extra motor and bigger battery. It’s quick, though, with 60mph coming up in 5.4 seconds.

Recommendations & Interior

Unless you really do need potential mileage of more than 400 miles, I’d go for the entry-level 227bhp No 8 in Pallas trim.

As I mentioned with the No.4, Pallas trim gives you everything you could reasonably need and represents decent value when it comes to looking at other cars in this territory. You get powered and heated front seats, sat nav, heated steering wheel, front, rear and side parking sensors, head-up display, reversing camera, 10.25-inch driver’s display, and a large, rectangular 16-inch display which runs along the top of the fascia. It’s a good system, is slick and looks sharp. It’s one of the best around.

The ambience of the interior is a high point of the DS No.8. It feels downright luxurious and looks great, too. The seats are extremely comfortable and supportive. The ones in the rear lean back more than in most cars because they need to give passengers some acceptable headroom due to the sloping roofline. Those above six foot will be fine.

You also get a choice of trim colours. The one I tried had a rather smart beige interior, as you can see in the photos.

Driving Experience

Out on the road, the No.8 is eerily quiet as you glide along in near silence. There’s hardly any wind noise, a tiny bit of tyre rumble and only the faintest hint of electric motor whine. Relaxed long distance cruising doesn’t come any better, and it’s the sort of car where, after a 300-mile journey, you feel better getting out than when you first climbed in.

No surprise that it’s aimed at the comfort side in terms of suspension. It rolls a bit if you push on along a country lane, but to be fair to DS, they’re not expecting buyers of the No 8 to be speed freaks.

Is this the one for you?

The tricky bit of the DS No 8 is that big, premium, French cars have struggled to find homes in the UK. The No 8 could go some way to addressing things. It will also be attractive to business drivers who can make full use of BIK incentives for electric cars. It’ll be cheaper to run than a similarly priced petrol or diesel car of this size and type.

The DS No 8, like the No 4, will attract buyers who want to break the mould and drive around in something distinctive. If that’s the sort of thing that appeals to you, you’ll love these two new cars from DS Automobiles.

words: Graham Courtney
pictures: DS Automobiles

DS No 8 - This Flagship Model is Unlike Anything Else