Citroen's DS shows off its mainstream crossover EV
The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense can go 180 miles on a charge.
You may have never seen Citroen's DS 3, but it's one of the most popular cars in Europe. When the company (actually a new, separate brand called DS) unveiled a crossover version called the DS 3 Crossback, it also announced plans to sell an electric version called the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense.
When you go to an auto show, electric cars are everywhere, but there are only a few affordable models for sale right now in France, including the Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe and soon, the Tesla Model 3. Unlike Kia's e-Niro, the DS 3 will enter that market with a modest WLPT Euro-spec range of 300 km (186 miles) thanks to the 50 kWh battery. That's mated with a humble 100 kW (136 horsepower) motor, which will accelerate you to 100 KMPH (62 MPH) in a leisurely 8.7 seconds.
The advantage of a smallish battery is that you can charge it quickly -- up to 80 percent in 30 minutes. An 11 kW Wallbox charger, installed at home, will juice up the E-Tense model in just five hours, so it will be a handy city runabout, but less useful on longer trips.
The Crossback features a Drive Assist function that can keep you in your lane, brake automatically in emergencies, and self-park. There's also keyless entry, and full digital option, with a 10.3-inch entertainment HD touchscreen with smartphone mirroring and connected navigation. The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense will come to Europe in mid-2019, but no price has been revealed yet.
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