Electric DS3 Crossback E-Tense Blends French Style With Zero Emissions

The race for electric mobility is at full speed and DS is one of the first to come out with a full-electric premium sub-compact SUV in the form of the new DS3 Crossback E-Tense, which made its world debut at the Paris Auto Show.

Based on PSA’s Common Modular Platform (CMP), the new DS3 Crossback will indirectly replace the ageing DS3 hatchback in the range and will be offered with petrol and diesel units, and eventually a full-electric powertrain in the pictured DS3 Crossback E-Tense.

The all-electric DS3 Crossback will arrive in the market in mid-2019, soon after the launch of its fossil fuel-powered siblings, featuring a 134hp electric motor and a 50kWh lithium-ion battery pack. DS claims that the DS3 Crossback E-Tense is capable of a 0-62mph (100km/h) in 8.7 seconds and of a top speed of 93mph (150km/h).

More importantly, DS Automobiles estimates that the DS3 Crossback E-Tense will be able to travel over 186 miles on a full charge per the latest WLTP cycle. Plug it into a 100kW fast charger and the battery pack will reach 80 percent of its capacity in 30 minutes.

DS has mounted the battery cells withing the center tunnel and in the space reserved for the fuel tank in the petrol and diesel versions of the DS3 Crossback, so room for passengers and their luggage is exactly the same with the rest of the range.

As you would expect from any car that wants to call itself premium, the new DS3 Crossback E-Tense packs a lot of technology, usually found in more expensive cars. Things like Matrix LED headlights, door handles that sit flush with the bodywork, a full range of active safety systems along with eye-catching trim options and colors are going to help the new DS3 Crossback E-Tense stand out from the competition, once it arrives in the market.