DS 3 CONNECTED CHIC WITH INTEGRATED CONTACTLESS PAYMENT CAR KEY

Mark Blundell, UK Marketing Director, from DS Automobiles UK received the coveted ‘Innovation Award’ accolade at last night’s Scottish Car of the Year awards ceremony. The award, presented for the company’s DS 3 Connected Chic with ‘integrated contactless payment car key, powered by bPay’, showcases the brand’s dedication to complement its customer’s active lifestyle with innovative and accessible technological solutions.

Staying connected and being more-easily able to interact with the world is of utmost importance for the French marque. DS Automobiles introduced the innovative feature, the UK’s first integrated contactless payment car key for customers who purchase DS 3 Connected Chic, allowing them to make safe and fast purchases of up to the eligible spending limit of £30 at more than 490,000 locations across the UK. Up to £200 can be held on the key at any one time and a smart-phone app permits quick and easy money management.

Stephen Park, President of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers said; “It’s an outstanding move from DS Automobiles; turning a remote car key into a contactless payment device for DS 3 Connected Chic shows that the brand is finely tuned in with the latest developments in technology, which it aims to make easily accessible to its customers. It’s simply effective and fully deserves the Scottish Car of the Year Innovation Award which won by a huge margin over the other nominations in the category”.

DS 3 Connected Chic is the new well-equipped trim level model from DS Automobiles, offering an attractive and compelling mix of stylish design and modern technological features that include Basalt Black or Brown Nappa watchstrap leather seats, 17-inch black diamond-cut ‘Aphrodite’ alloy wheels, mirror screen technology with Mirror Link® and Apple CarPlay™ and eMyWay satellite navigation.

Joining the range at the same time as these accolades is a new exclusive body colour model - Parthenon Cream available at DS Stores across the UK. The new colour model has a luxurious, high quality appearance and is complemented with a choice of either Black or Topaz roof colours. To ensure exclusivity, DS 3 Connected Chic Parthenon Cream is available in limited volumes, with just 275 being produced for the UK. Engine choices include a selection of the award-winning PureTech 3-cylinder petrol engines, with the PureTech 82 Manual, PureTech 110 S&S Manual or PureTech 110 S&S EAT6 with Automatic transmission to select.

Mark Blundell, UK Marketing Director at DS Automobiles UK said; “I’m delighted to receive this award and would like to thank all involved at DS and bPay who worked to turn this idea into a reality. At DS Automobiles we aim to show the spirit of avant-garde through constantly pushing boundaries and aligning our products with our customer’s ever-changing lifestyle. DS 3 Connected Chic with the integrated contactless payment car key strikes a chord with our audience who can benefit from an innovative, 2in1 device for a premium experience.”

DS 3 Connected Chic models start from £15,775 OTR with the PureTech 82 manual version. This is available from £199/month with a 3-year warranty, DS roadside assistance, and of course, including the award-winning integrated contactless payment key, powered by bPay. The DS 3 Connected Chic Parthenon Cream model starts from £16,865 OTR, and features uniquely an enhanced specification that includes front parking sensors and reversing camera as part of the standard equipment. DS 3 Connected Chic with the free and award-winning integrated contactless payment car key is currently available to order.

For more information on DS 3 Connected Chic, and to learn more about the integrated contactless payment car key, visit the DS Website DS 3 Connected Chic with integrated contactless payment key.

About bPay

The bPay payment chip within the car key is available to anyone with a UK-registered Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card. Users can conveniently add funds to their digital wallet ‘on the go’ using the mobile app, online through the bPay web portal, or set their account to top-up automatically when their balance falls below a pre-set level. Safer than carrying cash and just as secure as any credit and debit card, all payments come with the same fraud protection that is applied to contactless cards. If lost or stolen, users can remotely shut down their contactless accessory via the bPay mobile app or bPay website.

Payment functionality is subject to application and acceptance of T&Cs bpay.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.

Bpay.co.uk @bPay

About DS Automobiles

A French brand born in Paris, DS was officially founded on 1 June 2014. Its ambition is to revive the tradition of premium vehicles in the French automotive industry. Inspired by the very best of French know-how, DS perpetuates the values of innovation and distinction inherited from the first DS, launched in 1955.

Designed for customers looking for a means to express themselves as individuals, the DS Collection comprises DS 3, DS 3 CABRIO, DS 4, DS 4 CROSSBACK, DS 5 and soon the all-new DS 7 CROSSBACK. The models in the DS range stand apart through their avant-garde design, refinement and attention to detail, advanced technology and dynamic serenity. Presented at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, DS 7 CROSSBACK, the SUV by DS featuring Parisian-style innovation and savoir-faire, ushers in the second generation of DS models. With the DS 7 CROSSBACK La Première limited edition model, forward thinkers can reserve their car online or at a DS Store or DS Salon, and be the first to get behind the wheel. Committed to high-performance hybrid and electric cars, the Brand will launch the DS 7 CROSSBACK equipped with E-Tense, the hybrid powertrain by DS, in 2019.

Available from DS Stores, DS Salons and a selection of other dedicated zones within the Dealership network, DS also has flagship stores – DS WORLD PARIS and a DS URBAN STORE in the UK, located in the Westfield London shopping centre in White City.

DS also supports year-round artistic and cultural activities on the themes of fashion, design, art and gastronomy, respecting and inspired by the values of the DS line. In the UK DS Automobiles is a sponsor of Sky Arts and with gastronomy has Pascal Aussignac as its UK DS brand Ambassador linked to participation and sponsorship at Taste of London and Events-in-the-Sky.

Follow all DS news on www.DSautomobiles.com @DS_Official

CONTACT INFORMATION:

KEVIN JONES – Head of Communications

02476 884215 / 07880 786596 / kevin.jones@dsautomobiles.com

ANDREW DIDLICK – Director, Communications, Events & Brand Partnerships

07836 362859 / andrew.didlick@mpsa.com

CRAIG MORROW – Press Fleet Officer

02476 884261 / 07747 764745 / craig.morrow@mpsa.com

JOHN KENDALL – Fleet PR Consultant

07941 782956 / johnkendall@inl.co.uk

UK PRESS WEBSITE: http://uk-media.dsautomobiles.com

For more information about DS Automobiles, please visit www.DSautomobiles.co.uk

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