DS AUTOMOBILES INTRODUCES THE BRAND-NEW PRESIDENTIAL N°8 AT RÉVÉLATIONS, THE BIENNIAL INTERNATIONAL CRAFT AND DESIGN SHOW

• PRESIDENTIAL N°8 to make its first public appearance at the Révélations show at the Grand Palais, Paris, 70 years after the world first saw the original DS under the same glass dome

 

• This unique model was inaugurated by the President of the French Republic during the 8 May 1945 remembrance

 

• The refined interior of this unique N°8 combines the expertise of the LISON DE CAUNES Workshops for the straw marquetry trim, with the skill of the Maison MÉTAPHORES and Maison LOGNON for the satin and pleating of the door fabric

 

• DS Automobiles has been a historic partner of the international biennial for craft and design since 2019

 

• The Brand will exhibit a retrospective from the two DS x MÉTIERS D'ART design competitions it organised in 2021 and 2023, honouring winner Lyse Drouaine, and showing her latest creation

 

• Révélations takes place at the Grand Palais, Paris, from 21 to 25 May 2025

 

 

70 years after the world first saw the original DS under the glass dome of the Grand Palais, Paris, DS Automobiles will be showcasing the PRESIDENTIAL DS N°8 at the Révélations show for the first time.

 

The DS Automobiles exhibition area at the Grand Palais will also showcase a retrospective of the first two DS x MÉTIERS D'ART design competition, highlight the strong relationship that DS has with craftspeople. The public will be able to appreciate photos of the original designs from the 19 chosen candidates, while the 2023 winner, Lyse Drouaine, will also exhibit her latest work.

Returning to the Grand Palais in 2025, the international biennial of craft and design is a prestigious platform for DS Automobiles to showcase its exceptional craftmanship and strengthen its connection with artists and craftspeople.

 

With the exhibition of PRESIDENTIAL N°8, its latest design, the brand is carrying on the tradition. In 2023, DS Automobiles revealed its M.i. 21 Interior Manifesto to the public, following the DS AERO SPORT LOUNGE in 2022 and DS X E-TENSE in 2019 concept cars. Since then, DS Automobiles has included Révélations on the list of its must-do events.

 

DS Automobiles has specialised in including brand-new expertise on its production models and concept cars since its creation in 2014. This is evidenced by the work on leather, fabrics and stitching, the incorporation of unexpected materials such as feathers or straw marquetry, or the distinctive treatment of trim through guilloche with the Clous de Paris embossed pattern.

 

This expertise is being displayed at the Grand Palais, Paris, from Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 May 2025.

PRESIDENTIAL N°8 COMBINES FRENCH EXPERTISE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

A unique design based on expertise and technology to embody the Art of Travel, PRESIDENTIAL DS N°8 was created with the help of several French craftspeople and partners.

 

Unique livery

Visitors to the Révélations Show will see PRESIDENTIAL N°8 on the DS Automobiles stand located in the middle of the Grand Palais.

 

A Sapphire Blue colour, specially developed for the Elysée Palace’s vehicles, adorns PRESIDENTIAL N°8, while its DS LUMINASCREEN grille, a key part of the N°8 identity, lights up in Blue, White and Red. Flag holders are located on the front bumpers and exclusive tricolour badges finish the bonnet and boot.

An interior that bears witness to the expertise of craft and art houses

PRESIDENTIAL N°8 replicates the expertise of the craft and art houses in a unique model, in the spirit of the DS x MÉTIERS D'ART design competition and the brand's recent concept cars.

The LISON DE CAUNES Workshops created the rye straw marquetry trim on PRESIDENTIAL N°8’s dashboard, doors and speakers. The sea green and midnight blue shades form fan patterns, which play with the light. Lison de Caunes creates unique marquetry through crafting each straw strand by hand at its workshop in Paris’ 6^th arrondissement.

"We engineered different expertise to get the final part in pleated fabric that finishes off PRESIDENTIAL N°8’s interior. The satin was woven by Maison MÉTAPHORES, its pleating is the result of the craftspeople at Maison LOGNON, and the final covering of the door panels was carried out by our DS DESIGN STUDIO upholsterers.”

Vincent Lobry – Head of Colour, Materials and Finishes Design, DS Automobiles

 

The Songe Blue satin that covers PRESIDENTIAL N°8’s door panels is made from Verel de Belval fabrics (a silk factory from Lyon). It was selected by Maison MÉTAPHORES, located in Paris, Bussières (42) and Challes (72). The company is part of the Hermès group’s textile branch.

 

The unique pleating of the satin was accomplished by the Maison LOGNON workshop. This unique pleated pattern that evokes the sun's rays was achieved with a cardboard mould technique. Maison LOGNON is in the 19M in Paris, a mecca for crafts, fashion and ornamentation.

 

The DS DESIGN STUDIO master upholsterers, whose workshop is in the Paris region, has designed the cladding and sheathing of the areas where the pleated satin textile features on the door panels of PRESIDENTIAL N°8. They also embroidered the coat of arms of the French Republic on the centre console.

 

PRESIDENTIAL N°8 uses markers from the interiors of production DS models. These innovations come from research by the studio's upholsterers. The seats are covered in Eternal Blue Alcantara® and leather with a watchstrap pattern. Pearl stitching features on the door panels and dashboard.

 

French technology

Coachbuilder CENTIGON, manufacturer of armoured vehicles and based in Lamballe (22), has put its expertise into PRESIDENTIAL N°8 to make it suitable for use by the President of the Republic.

 

The 100% electric powertrain is manufactured in France. The batteries are supplied by ACC (Automotive Cells Company) in the Gigafactory located in Billy Berclau Douvrin (62). On N°8, their record range goes up to 466 miles with the electric motor delivering up to 350hp, produced by EMotors in Tremery (57).

 

The audio system in N°8 was engineered by FOCAL, a long-standing DS Automobiles partner. The company based in Saint Etienne (42) is well known in the acoustics world for its high-quality audio systems, it has been a member of the Colbert committee since 2024.

 

All this technology enhances the serenity and comfort on board PRESIDENTIAL N°8.

The DS x MÉTIERS D’ART exhibition

 

The DS x MÉTIERS D'ART design competition, organised by DS Automobiles in 2021 and 2023, seeks craftspeople through a technical challenge. This approach strengthens the brand’s links with the best national, established professional or emerging craftspeople with French savoir faire. This competition inspires the creativity of the DS DESIGN STUDIO Colours, Materials and Finishes designers.

 

The theme of the second competition, called DS LUMEN, asked craftspeople to design light effects through the grille of a 100% electric DS 3 E-TENSE. Lyse Drouaine, the 2023 winning artist distinguished herself with a backlit grille woven in fibre optics.

 

The first DS x MÉTIERS D'ART crowned Anne Lopez in 2022. The artist had created an engraved stucco trim enhanced with gold leaf that catches the light, to cloak the interior of a unique DS 9.

 

THREE QUESTIONS TO THIERRY METROZ – Design Director, DS Automobiles

What part of the design of PRESIDENTIAL N°8 are you proudest of?

“The interior design of PRESIDENTIAL N°8, with its exclusive finish, is the most striking element. This work is the result of some very good collaborations.

 

Lison de Caunes has created magnificent trim in straw marquetry, with a fan pattern reminiscent of the Decorative Arts, handled in a contemporary way. Straw, which is a basic and natural material, is enhanced here by expertise. The use of sustainable and high-quality materials – SustainNoble – is our philosophy.

 

The pleated satin door panels are another exceptional feature, made by Maison LOGNON, which is an international benchmark in the world of high fashion. I salute our master upholsterers who have covered the pleated satin on the door panels, but also all the special accessories such as the grab bar or the handles on the backs of the front seats.”

 

Why did you choose to introduce PRESIDENTIAL N°8 at Révélations?

"The Révélations show speaks to us a great deal: we have been partners since 2019, because it highlights the excellence of French savoir-faire, craftspeople and art professionals. Exhibiting PRESIDENTIAL N°8 is an opportunity to promote French excellence throughout the world.

 

This show is a great showcase for our concept cars, but also for the DS x MÉTIERS D'ART design competition. This makes it possible to discover future talent and special French artists and craftspeople.”

 

Is this very special N°8 a prelude to the interior of a future version?

“The treatment of the interior is reserved exclusively for PRESIDENTIAL N°8. It allows us to feed our creativity, while preparing other types of exceptional finishes at the same time. These could see the light of day on future limited editions, which will be launched in the coming months.”

 

 

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD:

https://sharing.oodrive.com/share-access/sharings/c5C-BMOW.tllilwLp

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

 

• On Wednesday 21 May 2025 from 08:30 CEST, the RÉVÉLATIONS show will open its doors to the press
• For accreditation visit: Press accreditation for the biennial Révélations event
• DS Automobiles representatives will be available to discuss and introduce the DS exhibits to you
• For any special requests, please connect with Marie Guidolin and/or Florent Adeline
  • Marie GUIDOLIN : + 33 (0) 6 88 21 65 70 - marie.guidolin@stellantis.com   
  • Florent ADELINE : + 33 (0) 6 68 57 95 12 -  florent.adeline@stellantis.com

 

 

PRESS CONTACTS:

 

Manesh Taank – PR Manager DS Automobiles UK manesh.taank@stellantis.com 07841 569 038 

Krystyna Perry – Head of PR DS Automobiles UK krystyna.perry@stellantis.com 07710 062 783 

 

 

ABOUT DS AUTOMOBILES

Founded in Paris in 2014, DS Automobiles is a premium brand aiming to embody the French art of travel. Thanks to an exceptional heritage, exemplified by the 1955 DS and enriched by the wealth of French culture, DS Automobiles offers a global and diverse range with DS 3, N° 4, DS 7 and N°8. 

Designed for a clientele seeking something different, who want to travel the world and enjoy every moment, DS creations stand out through their charismatic style, interior refinement, sophisticated technology and first-class comfort. Combined with a suite of bespoke services, they offer a unique brand experience before, during and after each journey. 

With numerous records since its entry into Formula E in 2015, including two double Teams’ and Drivers’ titles, DS Automobiles is at the forefront of electrification and sells each of its models in an electrified version. The Brand offers 100% electric drivetrains as well as self-charging and plug-in hybrids with up to 360hp and 4-wheel drive. In 2025, DS Automobiles is accelerating its transition to electric by launching N°4 with 279 miles of range and N°8, the new DS flagship providing up to 466 miles of range.

With a presence in 40 countries, the DS brand has an exclusive distribution network that includes nearly 450 DS STORES around the world.

Follow news from DS on www.DSautomobiles.co.uk    @DS_UK

Go behind the scenes of the Brand design and savoir-faire on www.dsdesignstudio.paris