You’re not going crazy if the DS E-Tense Performance looks a little familiar because it’s not an entirely new concept car.
It’s actually an updated version of the 2016 DS E-Tense. Both concepts share the same doors and overall silhouette, but the French brand has updated the design and drivetrain in significant ways.
Externally, the E-Tense Performance has sharper styling features than its forebear, especially at the front where there’s a new bonnet with extra “intakes” and flatter surfaces.
The front bumper is more angular and incorporates new slimmer headlights that have a driving light graphic that dips down dramatically.
The original car’s fake grille has been replaced by a black slab of plastic with an illuminated DS logo and X-themed lines.
Differences elsewhere include 21-inch alloy wheels with new aerodynamic inserts, a ribbed roof, tweaked rear diffuser, revised tail light graphics, and a matte green paint job with contrasting dark grey elements.
Under the skin DS has made significant changes based on learnings from its Formula E program.
The updated drivetrain has two electric motors: a 250kW unit for the front axle, and a more powerful 350kW motor driving the rear wheels.
By comparison, the original concept’s was rated at just 300kW and 516Nm.
DS claims the all-wheel drive system delivers 608kW and 8000Nm at the wheels, and says online versions of the car are capable of completing the 0-100km/h dash in around 2.0 seconds.
The E-Tense Performance uses a new battery design from TotalEnergies and Saft that features an “innovative chemistry” and immersive cell cooling system.
According to the automaker, the new battery system, which is housed in a carbon-aluminium composite “envelope” at the rear of the vehicle, is capable of bursts of discharge and regeneration up to 600kW.
While pictures of the interior have yet to be released, DS says the inside of the E-Tense Performance has a Formula E steering wheel and a high-end Focal Utopia sound system.
While the E-Tense Performance exists as a one-off concept in the physical world, it will be sold daily as an NFT (non-fungible token) that can be driven online.
