New-look DS 7 revealed

The facelifted 2022 DS 7 has broken cover in Europe but we’re no more likely than before to see the premium French SUV on Aussie soil.

Local Peugeot and Citroen importer Inchcape told carsales there are still no plans to offer the DS brand Down Under, where the original DS 3 hatch has long disappeared and was replaced in Europe by the DS 3 Crossback SUV in 2018, and where DS models are unlikely to be sold as rebadged Citroens.

Nevertheless, the French marque’s flagship SUV has been treated to a facelift for 2022, ushering in not only a new design but more features and a heap more grunt courtesy of a new DS Performance-developed plug-in powertrain.

Starting with the styling, the new DS 7 has followed most other new models recently in being made angrier and more aggressive looking thanks to its narrower headlights, much wider grille, reshaped bumper and striking new layered daytime running lights.

The new look is complemented at the back by slimline tail-lights, reworked body contours and badging. Aerodynamically optimised alloy wheels complete the new aesthetic, with sizes ranging between 19 and 21 inches.

The cabin has likewise been modernised with a heap of new upholstery options, finishes and patterns, which are available both on the different grades and optionally, but the big change is a new fully configurable 12-inch ‘DS IRIS System’ infotainment interface and matching 12-inch digital instrument cluster.

The new displays pair with the latest DS Night Vision system which uses an infrared camera to scan the road ahead for potential hazards like animals or cyclists and warn the driver accordingly.

Cameras are a reoccurring theme in the new DS 7, so much so there’s one responsible for the adaptive suspension that, like a similar system from Mercedes-Benz, monitors the road ahead and adjusts the damping to suit the immediate road conditions and features.

A pair of cameras are also used to monitor the behaviour, body language and attention of the driver as part of the elaborate safety suite.

It’s only fitting that such an advanced vehicle is powered by advanced powertrains and that’s exactly what DS has done with three plug-in hybrids and a singular turbo-diesel.

The internal combustion mill is the 1.5-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder seen in other Stellantis products including the European Peugeot 308, which in this application will churn out around 96kW/300Nm.

The electrified units, meanwhile, offer combined outputs of 168kW, 224kW and 268kW, with the latter two featuring all-wheel drive, resulting in a 5.6sec 0-100km/h time for the flagship.

All of the PHEVs draw current from a 14.2kWh lithium-ion battery and can cover a up to 65km on electric power alone.

According to DS executives, the new DS 7 embodies the brand’s “vision of the art of travel French style”.

“Beyond the basics of the segment, we are introducing some truly differentiating attributes, specifically to our interiors and the choice of our materials, and our purely automotive expertise with a chassis that’s as safe as it is light and power units that are highly powerful and efficient,” product director Agnès Tesson Faget said.

“This combination brings to life the comfort and dynamism demanded by DS Automobiles.”

As alluded to above, the likelihood of Australians being able to buy a new DS 7 or any other DS model is still dire because there are still no plans for the French luxury brand to be introduced Down Under.

That said, there’s nothing to say design, powertrain or technical elements of the latest DS 7 won’t trickle down into future Citroen (or Peugeot) models.

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