French luxurious model DS, a part of the Stellantis fold, has plans to solely launch electrical automobiles and plug-in hybrids beginning in 2025, and a midsize crossover is anticipated to mark the beginning of the transition.

A prototype for the crossover has been noticed for the primary time. The form extra intently resembles a high-riding sedan with a fastback roof than a traditional crossover, which can assist its attraction in China the place sedans nonetheless promote in robust numbers.

The design was previewed with 2020’s DS Aero Sport Lounge idea. On the reveal, former DS CEO Beatrice Foucher mentioned the idea’s design previews the way forward for the model, and hinted that work on such a mannequin could already be at a sophisticated stage.

DS already provides a midsize sedan at its flagship, referred to as the DS 9. The newcomer, which can be badged a DS 8 Crossback or DS 9 Crossback, could in the end substitute the DS 9, which dates again to 2020. Crossback is the tag DS makes use of for crossovers.

DS Aero Sport Lounge idea

Underpinning the brand new automobile is considered Stellantis’ STLA Medium platform, which is designed to assist each EVs and plug-in hybrids. The platform made its debut final yr within the Peugeot 3008 compact crossover.

EVs based mostly on the STLA Medium platform include front- or all-wheel-drive powertrains, the latter generated by having an electrical motor at every axle. The platform is designed to suit batteries with a usable capability of as much as 98 kwh, and supply energy outputs as much as 382 hp. It is not clear how a lot horsepower the crossover will supply.

Search for a debut of the crossover round early 2025. Manufacturing is anticipated to happen at a Stellantis plant in Melfi, Italy.

Whereas there are not any plans to introduce DS to the U.S., a number of the crossover’s specs and applied sciences could also be shared with EVs in the end offered right here.