The new 2025 DS 8 is a flagship crossover sedan with an electric motor

You probably don’t care about DS Automobiles if you live in the United States, as unlike other brands owned by Stellantis, this company has a smaller reach. However, it remains an important brand for the auto giant, especially since it is a premium brand that has its sights set on brands like Audi and BMW.

The French car brand has pledged to sell only plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles by next year, so it needs new models in its portfolio. One of these will be called the DS 8, and our spy photographers recently caught it out in the open while it was being tested on public roads.

But what exactly is the DS 8? Well, the spoilers speak for themselves, as it merges two body styles into one: sedan and crossover. So, while it looks like a four-door model, it has generous ground clearance similar to that of modern crossovers and features a rear hatch that opens into a generous (for this class) cargo area.

The front of the car is simple. It has a pair of slim LED headlights, a standard bumper with what appear to be (fake) side vents towards the sides and a large air intake in the centre. It has standard side mirrors, a wide beltline and a roofline that curves behind the C-pillars. The latter means that while boot space is affected, tall rear seat occupants will likely have no headroom issues.

2025 DS8

Photo: Baldauf

At the rear, it features a tailgate as mentioned above, a third brake light positioned a bit higher than the thin taillights and a regular bumper with a recess for the license plate holder. The shark fin antenna is also on the deck and it looks like DS Automobiles designers have incorporated the rear door handles into the thick C-pillars. The front ones have a flush approach and it's a clever trick to make the profile look cleaner.

Reports indicate that the next DS 8 will be based on Stellantis’ STLA Medium platform. This is a platform for C- and D-segment (compact and mid-size) cars and is the cornerstone of the Peugeot e-3008 and e-5008, the Opel Grandland, the Citroen C5 Aircross and the Jeep Compass. Another DS-branded product is expected to share it in 2026, along with a new Opel of the same year, a new Alfa Romeo Giulietta, presumably from 2028, and a similar product from Lancia (the new Delta).

This is a versatile build that supports both single- and dual-motor configurations, and the DS 8 will likely have both options when it presumably launches next year. The quirky crossover hatchback is supposedly just months away from being unveiled, and is expected to go on sale in 2025, dragging the brand into its inevitable electric future. So, what are your thoughts on the car’s design?

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