Regenerative braking is already available in most electric vehicles to complement conventional friction brakes – however DS is exploring whether regenerative braking alone could be the sole method to slow cars down, helping to better recharge the battery in the process, and doing away with conventional brake discs and pads.

The DS E TENSE PERFORMANCE has been developed in conjunction with the brand’s championship winning Formula E team and uses the same electric motors that can be found in the electric race cars. With 815hp on tap and a massive 8,000Nm of torque, the DS E TENSE PERFORMANCE can accelerate from 0-62mph in just two seconds. Using 350kW charging, a full charge can be completed in just five minutes.

Beatrice Foucher, DS Automobiles CEO said: “Formula E is about maximising performance and efficiency, and the DS E TENSE PERFORMANCE is our vision of a road car utilising our race-winning technology. Regenerative braking is a very powerful way to not only slow the vehicle down, but also help improve battery performance. The DS E TENSE PERFORMANCE takes the technology to a new level, with regenerative braking used solely to slow the vehicle down.” 

The post DS electric prototype hints at future of cars without conventional brakes appeared first on Hydra EVC.

“Our objective is to apply the experience acquired in Formula E and the expertise that we’ve taken from our international titles to a project which predicts the high-performance electric car of tomorrow. It is a laboratory that we will use to analyse the behaviour of components and to develop them with a view to future manufacturing. The idea is also to find solutions to lower costs, make them easier to manufacture and explore implementations in production models. The next generations of the E-TENSE range will benefit from these developments.”
Thomas Chevaucher, DS PERFORMANCE Director.

The powertrain’s two electric motors give a combined power of 600kW (250kW front and 350kW at the back) roughly equivalent to 815hp and torque of 8,000Nm at the wheels. The battery – developed jointly with TotalEnergies and its subsidiary Saft – is compact and housed in a carbon-aluminium composite envelope in a central rear position for optimum weight distribution.

New daytime lights are made up of 800 LEDs with two cameras positioned where you’d normally expect to find headlamps. The 21-inch wheels introduce an aerodynamic profile with unique inserts.

Since its launch in 2014, DS Automobiles has put electrification at the heart of its strategy. The first premium manufacturer to be involved in Formula E, the brand has used its success in the 100% electric championship to support R&D into sustainable mobility. From 2024, every new DS Automobiles design will be only 100 per cent electric.

For more information visit www.DSautomobiles.co.uk

The post DS Automobiles launches the DS E-TENSE Performance prototype appeared first on Hydra EVC.