Contrary to what happens with other premium models, in which the denomination involves the use of numbers and a few letters, in the DS 9 E-Tense 250 Rivoli Plus - the flagship of the French brand of Stellantis - the 'density' of information contained in the name it is very high, truly unique.
Let's start with the DS brand that stems from the 'planetary' notoriety of the famous range of innovative Citroen sedans designed in the mid-1950s by Flaminio Bertoni and which over time have become the brand's manifesto, so much so that they are called 'déesse' that is divinity.
And which in 2014 became an independent brand first of PSA and then of Stellantis. important experiences gained since 2015 in the field of electric competitions (DS has won four team and driver titles in the last Formula E seasons) with E-Tense technology.
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DS 9 E-Tense 250 Rivoli Plus, history meets progress
More than understandable, then, the choice of the name Rivoli to identify a level of finish (in the case of the car we tested is even Plus) more luxurious and exclusive.
Rue de Rivoli, in the heart of Paris, is one of the most famous streets as it is linked to the world of fashion and typically French sophistication in general.
Going back to the name of this 'flagship' it is easy to link the number 250 to the power delivered by the plug-in hybrid propulsion system, which includes a 200hp PureTech 4-cylinder petrol engine and an 80kW (110hp) electric unit. all enslaved by a new 15.6 kWh battery.
As it was possible to verify in a complete test on roads of all kinds and in the most diverse traffic conditions, this new Phev combination now makes it possible to travel long distances in 100% electric mode, approaching the homologation values (up to 70 kilometers according to the urban cycle WLTP or 61 kilometers according to the combined cycle WLTP).
The result is that DS 9 E-Tense 250 Rivoli Plus - if you pay attention to always keeping the battery charged, it offers the advantages of 100% electric mode for a high percentage of daily journeys.
In this regard, it should be remembered that a 7.4 kW on-board charger is included as standard, which allows complete recharging in less than 2 and a half hours and therefore allows you to take advantage of the great efficiency of the Phev system.
If we consider the homologation data alone, the car - despite being 4.93 meters long and 1,839 kg heavy - behaves like a scooter, with a WLTP consumption of 1.1 liters per 100 km and CO2 emissions of 26 g / km. .
In reality, things change but they show that by combining E-Tense technology with a different driving strategy (for example, avoiding as much as possible to exploit the abundant torque, 360 Nm) and the behavior of a conscious owner of a plug-in hybrid (therefore connecting the car to the electrical socket as often as possible) it is not difficult to achieve average distances of the order of 15-16 km / liter.
It goes without saying that despite having a brilliant powertrain, the best is obtained from the DS 9 E-Tense 250 Rivoli Plus by driving it in 'chauffeur' mode (mental and not foreseen in the dynamics control), that is, with gentleness and grace to enhance the silence. of travel, the comfort of the passenger compartment - even behind - and the comfort of the seats.
You don't have to be an expert in fashion or French luxury brands to appreciate what this DS 9 offers as standard, for a price of 61,700 euros.
The Nappa leather seats are heated, ventilated and have a massage function, the dashboard is in Alcantara and the metal details are made with 'guilloché' processing, i.e. with repetitive designs as in high-end watchmakers or more expensive fountain pens.
It stands out in the rear area of the
For DS 9 Rivoli Plus, the upholsterers have created the Point Perle stitching that recreates the shape of a pearl thus enhancing the leathers and interiors and emphasizing the link with high fashion techniques.
No wonder, even if you can't help but observe it in the center of the dashboard, the 180 watch designed in collaboration with BRM Chronographes.
It combines the analogue look and sleek design, with the feature that automatically sets it based on time zone and daylight saving time.
Of the many Adas present, the DS Park Pilot is particularly appreciated - which is able to detect a parking space suitable for stopping by passing at a speed not exceeding 30 km / h, then managing the maneuver - and the DS Active Scan Suspension system which acts on every single wheel based on road imperfections scanned in real time by a camera and multiple sensors.
Depending on the information received, the car optimizes the suspension by making it stiffer or softer, to offer comfort truly worthy of its ancestors.