We’ll have what they’re smoking.
As alluded to by the teaser(s) leading up to the unveil in Beijing, French automaker DS has delivered a truly otherworldly vehicle, even by the standards of concept cars. The X E-Tense is a fully electric coupe and attempts to encapsulate the Citroen premium sister-brand’s vision for the automotive landscape in 2035.
It doesn’t take any kind of car enthusiast to note that it looks like nothing we’ve seen in terms of EV concepts, much less from DS. That’s because the designers we’re given more than the typical dosage to take liberties with how the concept looked and operated.
The first thing preconceived notion they seemed to throw out the window is that of symmetry. The car features a single-seat layout that, from above, is clearly shown to only enough space for two occupants. It rejects the idea of automation killing off driving for pleasure, and was postured as a rebuke to car sharing.
“[X E-Tense] explores how customers who have no qualms about indulging themselves and how they might perceive the notion of a luxurious French style eighteen years hence, however diverse their needs.”
DS feels that the two ends of the spectrum do not have to be at odds, and has thusly prepared the X E-Tense for fully autonomous operation. For the majority of the time, though, they expect the driver to want to be in control.
Being an EV, that space gained by only needing room for a driver means that much more batteries could be accommodated. And because the car’s dual electric motors are said to deliver a maximum output of 1000kW in the hardcore ‘Circuit’ mode, it might indeed need have every need for all that stored electrical juice. Wind things down to ‘Road’ mode, though, and the X E-Tense simmers to a more sensible 400kW.
The company power projections are aided by a car that was engineered to be as light as possible, built around an advanced carbon fibre chassis. It’s also expected to use next-generation battery technology, further reducing mass along. Despite this, no projections on maximum range were supplied. It’s quite evident they are informing X E-Tense’ electric powertrain upon the ongoing development of their efforts in Formula E.
The body itself is an exercise in metal machining, finely crafted to very subtly contoured shapes, often interconnecting in a fluid, almost seamless way. DS also predicts that vehicle illumination will have evolved beyond conventional head and tail lights by 2035, and the concept would wear LEDs weaved into its body but is otherwise indistinguishable from the body in well lit situations.
For more on Citroen cars, check out our Showroom.
