French President Emmanuel Macron has become one of the first to receive a new, all-electric DS No8, after the car joined the French presidential fleet. Used for the first time at the French armistice celebrations last week, the car made President Macron the first leader of a republic to have a fully electric car.
Leader's limousine
DS has been supplying the president Macron with vehicles throughout his tenure, having supplied a presidential DS 7 Crossback for his inauguration in 2017. Although that car was heavily modified, it began a longstanding relationship between the French premier's office and the premium car brand that split from the Citroen mothership in 2015.
Later, DS would create the 7 Ellysee, an extended version of the DS 7 with a 300hp E-Tense plug-in hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive. That car joined the presidential fleet in November 2021, but Macron still used the DS 7 Crossback seen at his inauguration when King Charles III visited France in 2023.
Now, however, the French president has taken delivery of the new DS No8 electric fastback, which debuted at the French May 8 1945 celebrations, marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
Emmanuel's EV
The Presidential DS No8 may be based on the same car that will eventually arrive in dealers later this year, but it has been modified quite noticeably. Not only is it presented in Sapphire Blue to reference the national colour of France, but its illuminated grille features the red, white and blue of the country's flag. Other exterior changes include special tricolour badges and flag holders on the front bumper.
Inside, the Presidential DS No8 has straw marquetry on the dashboard and front door trim, satin blue interior panels and pleated fabric in the door panels. The seats are finished in Alcantara and DS's hallmark watchstrap design Nappa leather in Dream Blue - a colour specially chosen for this unique example - while DS's other calling card, pearl stitching, has been added to the doors and dashboard, and a Focal hi-fi system has been fitted.
The Long Ranger
According to official figures, the DS No8 has a range of 750km on a single charge, thanks to French firm Automotive Cells Company, which has developed the car's batteries. According to the manufacturer, the DS No8 can travel more than 500km on the motorway without charging, and recover 200 km of range in just 10 minutes of charging at maximum DC charge speed. That means the fastback can be filled from 20 to 80 per cent in 27 minutes.
“Presidential DS N°8, on the day of the 80th anniversary of the 8 May 1945 Victory Day, continues the line of special DS models acclaimed by the Presidency of the Republic for nearly 70 years,” said Xavier Peugeot, the CEO of DS Automobiles. “Like the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games connecting past and present, with 750 km of electric range, Presidential N°8 is being unveiled ahead of its launch by combining exceptional craftsmanship and avant-garde spirit, always with a sense of excellence.”