DS7

It comes with (on some models) Active Scan Suspension which give a ride rather like the Citroën C6, although not quite as smooth. It derives from the Mercedes S Class. DS Active Scan Suspension analyses the road ahead and adjusts automatically, making DS 7 Crossback able to handle imperfections in the road’s surface with ease.

This innovative technology employs a camera placed behind the windscreen connected electronically to the front and rear axles. This works with four height sensors and three accelerometers to gauge DS 7 Crossback’s reactions such as speed, steering wheel angle and braking. Data is transmitted in real time to an electronic control unit, which governs each wheel independently. Based on this data, the control unit continually makes the suspension firmer or softer. DS Active Scan Suspension uses swift reactions and finesse to improve comfort on the move, resulting in a unique, smooth driving experience.

Since the beginning of DS Automobiles, light signatures have been at the heart of the design ethos. Fashioned like a piece of jewellery, DS Active LED Vision headlights come alive the moment you unlock DS 7 Crossback. The LED modules swivel through 180° and give off a purple light in a show of welcome.

As well as their aesthetic appeal, DS Active LED Vision headlights give you a high intensity light that automatically adapts to all conditions. In daylight, the vertical daytime running lights, designed to look like the interior’s pearl stitching, work with LED projector modules to create our eye-catching light signature.

Lighting modes available on DS 7 Crossback:

• Town: the beam’s width is increased to enable you to identify hazards at the side of the road.

• Country: activated from 30mph, this mode offers a field of vision focused straight ahead (most suitable for country roads), but sufficiently spread towards the sides of the road to illuminate hazards.

• Motorway: above 70mph the brightness of the lighting modules is more intense. The headlights are raised slightly to increase the beam’s range.

• Adverse Weather: when the windscreen wipers are on, the power of the lighting modules increases to help you pick out white lines. The main projector reduces its intensity to avoid any risk of dazzle from the wet road.

• High Beam: this lighting mode can be activated at any moment by the automatic main beam function. The power and range of the lights are set to maximum to illuminate the length and breadth of the carriageway.

The rear exterior lights are like a diamond shape. They contain the red diamonds and the orange turn lights are above it. They flash from right to left when applied.

The interior is like nothing else. The Prestige model is covered in leather. The diamond shape is everywhere, on the digital dash, on the switches, on the seats. A large, 12 inch touchscreen is provided, which controls virtually everything. There are controls for heating and ventilation, audio, sat nav, access to the cars elements, Apple car play, Android auto, MirrorLink and phone connections. The seats are most comfortable, and support you throughout and the rear seats lean back electrically. There is a analogue clock that unfolds each time you start the engine.

The 12 inch digital dash has six features which you can select via the circular button on the steering wheel. You can select personal mode, driving mode, navigation mode, minimum mode, night mode and dials mode. There is also room for voice commands. The sat nav is from Tom Tom and can be had with various things including speed cameras.

The boot is quite large with a capacity of 12 gallons (55 litres) of space.

DS Night Vision

Using the infrared camera in the radiator grille, DS Night

Vision improves visibility during the night. This new technology is able to identify pedestrians and animals over 50cm tall up to a distance of 100m. Added to this, increased light intensity improves overall visibility up to 300m in front.

The digital instrument panel clearly displays the situation in front of the vehicle (in greyscale) for the driver. Hazards are highlighted in yellow, changing to red as they get closer.

DS Extended Traffic Sign Recognition

This system recognises speed signs along with a number of other traffic signs and displays them on the instrument panel. DS 7 Crossback is the first vehicle in the C-SUV segment to make these technologies available.

DS Connected Pilot

DS Connected Pilot is a step closer to autonomous driving, but still allows you to retake full control of the car at any point. The innovative system regulates the speed and distance in relation to the vehicle in front, while the Stop & Go function allows DS 7 Crossback to come to a complete stop, and set off again.

Lane Keeping Assist works in conjunction to position DS 7 Crossback precisely in its lane by controlling the steering. This system is particularly well suited to motorways, provided that the white lines are clearly visible. While the driver must still remain focused on the road ahead, it makes for driving that’s safer and less stressful.

The driver enters a reference speed in the Adaptive Cruise Control Stop & Go (from 20 mph), and activates the Lane Keeping Assist using a button on the right of the dashboard. To remain active, the system requires the driver to keep his/her hands on the steering wheel, even without the need to steer. The driver can take back control at any time by applying torque to the steering wheel (to cancel Lane Keeping Assist), pressing the button to deactivate the function or braking (cancels Active Cruise Control Stop & Go).

This system combines the new Adaptive Cruise Control Stop & Go and the Lane Keeping Assist (Part of the Premium Safety Pack) to manage driving in semi autonomous mode, in specific conditions. The vehicle manages steering and speed.