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10 Oct 2017

DS VIRGIN RACING DRIVER, SAM BIRD, TAKES DS E-TENSE FOR A SECRET SPIN INSIDE THE WESTFIELD LONDON SHOPPING CENTRE

All-electric DS E-TENSE Concept car makes UK dynamic debut, with a nocturnal appearance DS Virgin Racing driver Sam Bird drives the electric GT car around Westfield London … and location of the flagship DS Urban Store DS E-TENSE is the first car to be driven throughout the malls of Westfield London – with no one around New DS 7 CROSSBACK has a dynamic cameo role Watch the video here: DS VIRGIN RACING DRIVER, SAM BIRD, TAKES DS E-TENSE FOR A SPIN

DS VIRGIN RACING DRIVER, SAM BIRD, TAKES DS E-TENSE FOR A SECRET SPIN INSIDE THE WESTFIELD LONDON SHOPPING CENTRE

In a special celebratory film, DS has brought together four of its brightest brand assets – DS E-TENSE, DS Urban Store Westfield London, DS Virgin Racing driver Sam Bird plus a special cameo role with the soon-to-be-launched DS 7 CROSSBACK – the SUV from DS Automobiles.

DS Automobiles has teamed up with Westfield London in Shepherd’s Bush - the location of its flagship DS Urban Store – to take late night shopping to new levels by being granted special permission to drive the high-performance electric GT Concept car - DS E-TENSE inside the premium facility. Westfield’s Brand Ventures team worked closely with DS Automobiles on the activation, granting special permission for Bird to drive the high-performance electric GT Concept car DS E-TENSE indoors after closing time.

Behind the wheel of the all-electric DS concept was DS Virgin Racing Formula E driver, Sam Bird, who drove DS E-TENSE around the inside of Westfield London at night, and in doing so marked the car’s dynamic debut in the UK, all recorded in a filming of his ‘lock-in’. The drive also marked the first time that a car had been driven throughout the malls of the prestigious retail destination, making it a real moment-in-time for DS Automobiles with DS E-TENSE. The silent-running, zero emissions, all-electric concept car was the perfect vehicle for Sam, whose day-job is racing the all-electric DSV race car, as he took DS E-TENSE for a secret spin past high street to high-end shops and sales outlets inside Westfield London.

Unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the head-turning DS E-TENSE unifies state-of-the-art technology and avant-garde design with its flowing lines and unique styling, the Concept evokes a desire to be driven.

DS E-TENSE represents the pinnacle of DS Automobiles know-how, the superior upholstery, exclusive metallic green ametrine body colour, and LED Vision headlamps that are jewel-like in design all perfectly reflect the avant-garde spirit and connection to the world of fashion that is synonymous with the DS brand. The daytime running lights accentuate the car’s expressive gaze, and inspired by the original, iconic DS from 1955, the indicators at the rear are integrated into the roof. Finally, setting the trend for future DS models, DS E-TENSE’s tail lights, which are equipped with full LED technology. Measuring 4.72m it produces 516Nm of torque, 402hp and zero emissions. DS E-TENSE delivers propulsion that is clean, silent, efficient and powerful.

Since 2015, DS Automobiles has developed a strong relationship with Westfield London. The luxury shopping centre, located in Shepherd’s Bush, homes over 300 retailers across fashion (High St to Luxury), leisure and entertainment, including more than 30 premium and luxury brands within The Village - an ever-evolving luxury space. It has become the perfect place destination for the very first DS Urban Store, a new digitally-enabled DS boutique concept.

DS Urban Store invites visitors to explore the lifestyle of the Parisian-born brand at one of London’s premium shopping destinations. Its purpose is to promote the brand to potential DS customers in a place where they regularly spend their leisure time. The avant-garde spirit of design, present in each DS model, aligns itself with some of the world’s most luxurious names in fashion that are situated in Westfield.

Paul Buttigieg, Westfield’s Director of Operations, says: “We like to go the extra mile for our partners to help them create innovative content to drive awareness and sales. Giving a leading racing driver the green light to take a spin inside one of our centres was a real first but having built such a positive relationship with DS Automobiles over the past few years we wanted to help them create a standout moment to mark the UK debut of the DS E-TENSE.”

Sam Bird who has entered his third season with DS Virgin Racing has secured five wins and nine podium positions, making him the third highest all-time Formula E points scorer, one of the few people to have driven the all-electric DS E-TENSE in locations like Paris and Monaco and now for the first time in the UK. Bird is a leading Formula E championship driver, having won the first-ever motor race in New York in July.

As well as the DS E-TENSE, Bird also got behind the wheel of the soon-to-be-launched, well-equipped and sumptuous DS 7 CROSSBACK, the SUV from DS Automobiles. The SUV combines the latest technological innovations such as, DS ACTIVE LED VISION, DS ACTIVE SCAN SUSPENSION and DS CONNECTED PILOT, with the brand’s Parisian know how introducing high levels of driving comfort and performance.

Watch the video here: DS VIRGIN RACING DRIVER, SAM BIRD, TAKES DS E-TENSE FOR A SPIN

And a behind-the-scenes video too: BEHIND-THE-SCENES - SAM BIRD, TAKES DS E-TENSE FOR A SPIN

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. @DS_Official

CONTACT INFORMATION:

KEVIN JONES – Head of Communications

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

ANDREW DIDLICK – Director, Communications, Events & Sponsorships

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

FOLLOW DS ON TWITTER AT: www.twitter.com/ds_uk_official

FIND DS ON FACEBOOK AT: www.facebook.com/dsukofficial

FOLLOW DS ON INSTAGRAM AT: www.instagram.com/ds_uk

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