DS AUTOMOBILES LAUNCHES PUBLIC ART TOUR, AS GALLERY COSTS POSE BARRIER FOR BRITS TO ENJOY CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

• Premium French car maker, DS Automobiles, introduces public art tours for drivers to enjoy local culture on the move
• ‘Art Tour’ initiative comes after research showed that 55% of British public say entrance fees put them off visiting galleries and exhibitions
• 61% of Brits said that public art enhances the cultural identity of their community, with over half believing that public art has a positive impact on the local economy
• DS Automobiles public ‘Art Tour’ offers five curated routes across the country for drivers to take in free and accessible art as they drive
• Routes available to experience on DS Automobiles website here and users are invited to share their travels using #DSArtTour

DS Automobiles has launched a new series of public art tours to allow drivers to experience the best of their local culture while on the road. The five specially curated routes allow drivers to experience the French art of travel across all four corners of the country.

With routes offering cultural tours in London, North-East, North-West, East Anglia and Central Scotland, DS Art Tours provide drivers with greater access to the UK’s diverse range of art collections, taking in a mix of sculptures, installations and paintings, all free of charge.

The new ‘Art Tour’ series from DS Automobiles comes after research highlighted the obstacles in place for many of the public who want to have greater access to cultural experiences. In the study of 2,000 UK adults, 55% admitted that entrance fees or admission costs put them off visiting local art galleries, cultural attractions or events. 33% also told DS that they feel they need more guidance on the whereabouts of local art initiatives, galleries, or public art installations.

Easily accessible through the DS Automobiles website, the Art Tour routes all begin at local DS retailers, and can be completed during a DS 24 Hour Test Drive where potential customers can borrow a car for a whole day to experience all that DS has to offer. For those wanting to extend their trip, the tours offer advice on high-end restaurants and hotels to visit en route.

The routes currently on offer from DS include Manchester to Liverpool, Edinburgh to Glasgow, Newcastle to Durham, Norwich to Aldeburgh and London.

Within the Manchester to Liverpool route, drivers are recommended to start at the DS retailer in Manchester, before setting off on their first stop, the street art of Withington. From there, DS recommends visiting the huge ‘Dream’ sculpture, Barbara Hepworth’s sculpture on Liverpool University Campus, the abstract ‘Penelope’ in Wolstenholme Square, Superlambanana in Central Liverpool before finishing at the iconic Beatles statue on Liverpool waterfront.

In Scotland, the Edinburgh to Glasgow route offers the opportunity to take in iconic pieces of public art such as The Kelpies near Falkirk, The Hope Sculpture on the Clyde and the Central Glasgow Mural trail among others.

Drivers who undertake one of the routes are encouraged to share their travels using #DSArtTour.

The latest DS Automobiles model range takes inspiration from the brand’s close affiliation with the worlds of art and design. Models across the range include the DS 3, DS 4, DS 7 and DS 9, each holding their own essence of French luxury savoir-faire, including the limited ESPRIT DE VOYAGE trim. New ESPRIT DE VOYAGE models inspired by the fashion industry and world of haute-couture, characterised by light interiors, exclusive finishes and technology As a brand, DS continues to cement the connection with the design world, continuing its partnership with the iconic Louvre Museum in Paris since 2015, and work as an official partner of Paris Fashion week since 2019.

Julie David, Managing Director of DS Automobiles UK, said: ‘When travelling, it’s often easy to stop and take in your surroundings, running the risk of missing out on some of the accessible cultural experiences that the UK has to offer.  DS Automobiles represents everything modern travel can be; stylish, comfortable and efficient. We hope that our new Art Tour routes offer drivers the opportunity to experience more of the cultural experiences that the UK has to offer, while bringing a little bit of the French Art of Travel to the roads of the UK.”

The DS research also found that 60% of Brits admit to being clueless about art and artists, despite over half believing that art has a positive impact on their local economy. Claude Monet was the most recognisable artist, with 78% of respondents saying they knew him while ‘Sunflowers’ by Vincent Van Gogh was the most recognisable individual work of art.

DS offers plug-in hybrid versions of the DS 4, DS 7 and DS 9, each capable of driving more than 30 miles on electric power alone (WLTP), along with the 100 per cent electric DS 3. From 2024, every new model from the brand will be 100 per cent electric. To find out more about the DS Automobiles range and to experience the French art of travel visit www.dsautomobiles.co.uk.

ENDS

PRESS CONTACTS

Krystyna Perry - 07710 062783 - krystyna.perry@stellantis.com – Head of PR 

Jeremy Townsend – 07827 896480 – jeremy.townsend@stellantis.com – UK Communications Director  

ABOUT DS AUTOMOBILES  

Driven by the spirit of the avant-garde and backed by an exceptional heritage, the DS brand, born in 2014, aims to embody the French art of travel. Remarkable products, discernible French luxury savoir-faire, coupled with a suite of bespoke services, DS Automobiles offers a unique experience before, during and after every journey.

Designed for customers looking to stand out who want to travel the world and enjoy every moment, DS models combine refinement and technology. With New DS 3, DS 4, New DS 7 and DS 9, the DS brand offers a global range.

Based on numerous records since its entry into Formula E in 2015, including double Teams’ and Drivers’ titles, DS Automobiles is at the forefront of electrification by already selling each of its models with an electrified version. Under the E-TENSE label, DS Automobiles offers 100% electric powertrains as well as plug-in hybrids with up to 360 horsepower and 4-wheel drive. From 2024, every new model launched by DS Automobiles will be 100% electric.

For its discerning customers, DS Automobiles has crafted a suite of exclusive services, called “ONLY YOU, a wealth of attention.”

With a presence in 41 countries, the DS brand has created and is developing an exclusive distribution network that includes 450 DS STORE throughout the world.

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