DS Automobiles No 8 - long-term review

Right then, we have a mystery. Since service, I’ve noticed that the No.8 has gained a little bit of range, but wanted to do some proper checks and make sure it wasn’t just due to the fact that we had copious amounts of 25-degree-plus weather and unusually sweaty nights. It’s not. Or at least, not just because of the heatwaves.

For the first time ever, the DS has been registering just over 400 miles of guess-o-meter range. No electric car ever actually gets the 100 per cent proclaimed range, but it’s translated into an extra 30+ miles of real-world if you drive it in Eco mode - so that’s slightly limited performance, softened air-con, that sort of thing. A bit less if you drive it in ‘Normal’. So we’re now looking at 350-miles all-in.

Apparently there’s been no official update - and I’m not complaining - but I only know something’s been up, because every single saved function has been wiped - from settings to phone directories. So someone’s had a bit of a re-boot, and it wasn’t me.

Efficiency? It’s up from an average of 3.6/3.7mpkWh to over four on mixed roads, with 3.9 on the motorway. That’s very solid for a car this big - the Chinese EV I had in for testing over the past week was getting 3.3, and it should have been more parsimonious. And I sort of have it in the back of my head that four times the useable capacity of the traction battery in terms of mileage is pretty good. If I managed to get the 4mpkWh, that would actually equate to nearly 389-miles from the 97.2kWh battery.

Other stuff? Well, the headlights seem to have been adjusted, so they no longer provoke the angry flash of bedazzled oncomers. That’s massive for me as the nights draw in - you can’t excuse it, and you can’t apologise. Although the ‘Luminascreen’ light-up grille - responsible for the welcome animations - does some weird stuff: it shuts off after about 30mph and then re-lights when you slow down according to some of the EU laws, prompting some cars to obviously think I’ve done some half-hearted flash.

You can apparently change the settings to prevent it, but I never remember to do it until I’m actually driving, then promptly forget once I’ve stopped. Oh, and I’ve noticed that when you put the car on full lock, it makes the parking proximity sensors sound full alarm, even when you’re not near anything. Obviously a bug, but it does make you panic - or worse, ignore them.

And some of the parts-bin bits - haptic bar I’m looking at you, and the gear selector - just feel like they’re from a cheaper thing. The interior is a weird mix of really lovely and marginally cheap. I love the general vibe, but then the buttons and interactions and screen hierarchies let it all down. Then again, if the 8 had custom everything, it wouldn’t be able to compete in the sector. Still think it should have a better gear selector than the one in the Panda though.

Other than that, this thing is gently gaining ground. It’s nowhere near perfect, but in a world of characterless electric SUVs, the DS No.8 has lots of charm. It goes back in a few weeks, so next time will be a proper round up - and we’re off up north for a 500-mile round trip tomorrow. So public charging here we come.