French automotive innovation has long been a blend of avant-garde design, bold experimentation, and sophisticated engineering. Few brands embody this spirit better than DS Automobiles, the premium marque born from Citroën’s heritage and evolved to stand on its own as a leader in luxury mobility. Although the company is young compared to many established premium brands, DS has built an identity rooted in craftsmanship, technology, and French artistry. Nowhere is this more evident than in its concept cars, which serve as rolling laboratories of style and creativity.

In this article, we explore four iconic DS concept cars that showcase the brand’s philosophy and vision for the future. These vehicles are more than design exercises—they are a testament to how DS imagines tomorrow’s driving experience through electric power, connected intelligence, and aesthetic excellence.

1. DS E-Tense: The All-Electric Avant-Garde Sports Car

Unveiled in 2016, the DS E-Tense concept car delivered a powerful message: DS Automobiles was ready to enter the future of electric performance. With its sculptural bodywork, sharp LED lighting signatures, and muscular proportions, the E-Tense immediately positioned the brand as a serious competitor in the premium electric sports segment.

Design and Philosophy

The E-Tense is a celebration of French avant-garde design. The body is painted in a deep metallic green, complimented by fluid lines, hidden door handles, and an aerodynamic silhouette. Its distinctive rear signature, called DS 3D Rear Lights, introduced a geometric effect that soon became a hallmark of DS production models.

Inside, the cockpit embraces artisanal craftsmanship. The leather upholstery took more than 800 hours of hand-stitching, and the dashboard showcases traditional watchmaking techniques, a nod to the brand’s obsession with detail.

Technology and Performance

Powered by a 402-hp electric motor and a high-capacity battery pack, the E-Tense delivers impressive acceleration while maintaining zero emissions. It also features advanced suspension technologies inspired by DS’s motorsport involvement.

Although it never entered production, the E-Tense set the tone for DS’s electrification strategy and paved the way for the brand’s modern E-Tense plug-in hybrids and EVs.

2. DS Aero Sport Lounge: The Luxury SUV of the Future

Revealed in 2020, the DS Aero Sport Lounge highlights DS’s vision for premium electric SUVs. While the industry moves toward larger, more aerodynamic crossovers, DS pushed the boundaries of what luxury can feel like in an electric era.

Exterior Excellence

The concept stands out with its ultra-streamlined body, measuring nearly 5 meters long while maintaining exceptional aerodynamic efficiency. Sharp edges, an enclosed front grille, and sleek side profiles maximize airflow. The illuminated DS emblem and laser-thin headlights create an unmistakable futuristic presence.

Large 23-inch wheels with aerodynamic inserts further reduce drag and give the vehicle a commanding stance.

Interior Artistry

Inside, DS prioritized space, lightness, and sustainable craftsmanship. Instead of traditional leather, the cabin uses woven straw marquetry, a material rarely seen in automotive interiors. This approach blends ecological innovation with refined luxury.

The dashboard itself disappears—replaced with a projection system that displays information directly onto surfaces. Hand-gesture controls powered by Leap Motion technology and a virtual assistant create an interactive driving environment.

Electric Powertrain

Equipped with a 500-kW (680-hp) electric motor derived from Formula E, the Aero Sport Lounge promises exhilarating performance. A large 110-kWh battery targets more than 650 km of range, reflecting DS’s ambitions for long-distance electric mobility.

3. DS X-E-Tense: A 2035 Vision of Asymmetrical Design

The DS X-E-Tense, revealed in 2018, is arguably the brand’s most imaginative concept. It is not simply a car—it is a vision of what driving could look like in the year 2035. The asymmetrical shape, futuristic technologies, and groundbreaking materials all challenge traditional automotive thinking.

A Radical Asymmetrical Body

The most striking feature of the X-E-Tense is its asymmetry. On one side, the vehicle is a sporty, open-air single-seater. On the other, it transforms into a comfortable cocoon, enclosed in transparent glass that darkens with electricity.

This dual personality symbolizes the future: part performance machine, part autonomous lounge.

A Sensory Experience

The interior uses a multilayered sensory design to make the cabin feel alive. Surfaces react to touch, ambient lighting changes with driving modes, and the seats adjust to your body using advanced memory foam materials. A virtual assistant is integrated directly into the cabin, responding to both voice and gesture commands.

When the car switches to autonomous mode, the active suspension—directly inspired by DS’s Formula E success—automatically adapts to road conditions for a smooth ride.

Performance and Innovation

For performance, the concept vehicle uses twin electric motors producing up to 1,360 hp in track mode. Lightweight carbon-fiber construction ensures agility, while experimental materials aim to self-repair minor damage, a hint at future automotive sustainability.

The X-E-Tense remains one of DS’s boldest explorations into mobility’s distant future.

4. DS Divine: Redefining French Couture on Wheels

Before DS became a standalone brand in 2014, the company revealed the DS Divine concept. This car served as a stylistic manifesto, laying the foundation for the brand’s future identity. It blended haute couture, advanced lighting, and a unique approach to interior personalization.

Exterior Identity

The Divine’s compact, elegant hatchback design is matched with diamond-pattern motifs, sculpted bodywork, and a distinctive DS grille flanked by striking laser headlights. Its roof—made of carbon fiber—features textured scales for improved aerodynamics.

This vehicle established many of the stylistic cues that DS models still use today.

Interior Couture

Inside, the Divine introduced the idea of interchangeable interior ambiances, similar to changing outfits in a fashion collection. Three themes—Mâle, Parisienne Chic, and Fatale Punk—allowed the cabin to transform using materials like satin, embroidery, crystals, and exotic skins.

This concept pioneered the idea of treating car interiors like high fashion, a philosophy DS continues to embrace.

Technology Vision

The cabin uses a holographic head-up display, touch-sensitive surfaces, and a minimalist central tunnel. Even though some features were too advanced for production in 2014, they influenced later DS models in subtle ways.

Conclusion: DS Concepts as Art, Innovation, and Inspiration

DS Automobiles has consistently pushed the boundaries of what a luxury brand should represent. Through the E-Tense, Aero Sport Lounge, X-E-Tense, and Divine, the company demonstrated a commitment to electrification, digital sophistication, and craftsmanship rooted in French artistry.

These four concept cars are more than prototypes—they are expressions of the brand’s identity. Each one reflects DS’s drive to explore new materials, redefine comfort, and imagine a future where mobility is sustainable, intelligent, and emotional.

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