DS 3 E-Tense Facelift electric car in the driving report
(Bild: DS)
Stellantis provides its e-drive with an update that promises more range and power. We were already able to try it out in a DS 3 E-Tense.
(Hier finden Sie die deutsche Version des Beitrags [1])
Small electric cars are in short supply, and Stellantis is one of the few manufacturers that can deliver something like this. With success, because the electric drive is quite in demand in the Peugeot e-208, Opel Mokka-e and Corsa-e despite their high prices. It is also installed in the DS 3 E-Tense. The small SUV is one of the first models in the Group to benefit from the further development of the powertrain. A first driving report should clarify what the customer gets out of it.
DS 3 E-Tense: More power, bigger battery
Until now, the e-drive at Stellantis has always been configured in the same way: 50 kWh energy content in the battery and 100 kW drive and charging power each. Only the motor and DC charging power remain the same in all models: The e-motor will offer 115 kW everywhere in the future, while the charging power remains unchanged. The battery, however, is differentiated. In some models Stellantis states 54, in others 51 kWh energy content. Unlike the Peugeot e-208, for example, the DS 3 E-Tense will have the larger version.
Both are gross figures, of which between 48 and 51 kWh can be used. Charging is possible with up to 100 kW DC and 11 kW AC. A three-phase charger is standard.
Range: 300 km in practice
Of course, the update does not have a dramatic impact on the range. DS mentions up to 401 km in the price list from September 6, while the press kit mentions 404 km. This has no significance for the customer in everyday use: He can expect about 300 km on an annual average, provided he doesn't demand everything from the powertrain. On our rather brisk drive, the on-board computer indicated around 17 kWh/100 km. For the real driving costs, it has to add the charging losses, which depend on the type of charging. They are highest with the included charging brick.
DS 3 E-Tense 2023 (0 Bilder) [2]
Stellantis promises significantly lower consumption with the update. Despite more power, the new engine is significantly more economical. The WLTP figure actually drops quite a bit: from 17.8 to 14.7 to 16.4 kWh/100 km. It is important to note that this figure includes charging losses. Lower consumption can therefore be achieved not only by a more economical engine, but also by reducing charging losses.
The gap between the cycle and reality is thus somewhat larger than the above-mentioned value from the on-board computer suggests, because the charging losses have to be paid for as well. In the test with the old powertrain, we arrived at values between 14 and 19 kWh/100 km in 2020. Since we assume that the new powertrain will at least not consume more, you can probably easily get by with 15 to 16 kWh/100 km even at temperatures around 10 degrees - including charging losses. A following test has to verify these values.
Stronger, not faster
The powertrain itself has become 15 kW more powerful, but not much changes for the customer here either. The factory still quotes a sprint to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds, and the speed limit is still set at 150 km/h. The full power is only available to those who switch to Sport mode. Full power can only be accessed by switching to Sport mode. Most drivers will rarely do that in everyday life, because the small E-SUV already accelerates quite nimbly in "Normal". Even on the highway, you are more than well supplied in this power-reduced mode. The power is cut back again in Eco mode, which actually makes it a bit slower on the highway, but not lame. In other words: Off the highway, you can drive sufficiently fast even in Eco mode.
None of this is new, which is not to devalue it. 15 kW more no longer plays a role in a car that hardly invites you to savor the possible driving performance. There was and is enough power to handle all everyday tasks so confidently that there is almost always a generous reserve. It may be even bigger now, but that does not have a decisive impact on the driving experience.
DS 3 E-Tense 2023 (8 Bilder) [4]
Quieter than before
DS has improved the sound insulation, which is noticeable. In an electric car, noise away from the drive comes more to the fore, and rolling or wind noise is more noticeable here. The DS 3 got thicker windows and a bit more insulating material, which has a positive effect: The car is a bit quieter than before.
Known virtues
Everything else is familiar from the model before the revision. The DS 3 is carefully crafted and nobly lined. In this respect, it towers far above its class. The seats still cannot be pushed back far enough for people with long legs, and support in the lumbar area is also missing.
As expected, the space offered is not huge. After all, the DS 3 is not much longer than a VW Polo (review). The trunk holds 350 liters, which is noticeably more than in the electric versions of the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa. After the facelift, the infotainment system can wirelessly integrate Android Auto and Apple CarPlay - a good thing, because the navigation system that is standard in the expensive equipment lines is not completely convincing.
Ambitious prices
Those who conclude that small dimensions mean a low price are doubly wrong about the DS 3 E-Tense. On the one hand, Stellantis wants to market the DS brand as noble and documents this with a fine interior lining and self-confident prices, among other things. On the other hand, such a high price can obviously be achieved on the market.
Even the base model costs 40,540 euros, which is a hefty price tag for a compact car with a slightly raised seating position. With one of the two mid-range equipment lines, it's already more than 45,000 euros, and at the top it's even more than 51,000 euros. But there are electric cars on the market that offer more space, charge faster and go further.
But perhaps the self-proclaimed premium claim is so far-reaching that hardly anyone from the target group asks about the actual value in the environment of similar models from other manufacturers. Of course, it helps that there is only little direct competition.
(mfz [6])
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