This is the new DS 7 Crossback Louvre. It’s a special edition version of the SUV, which was designed collaboratively with the famous French art gallery. It’s available to order now, priced from £46,530 – and first deliveries are expected to arrive in January this year.
Since DS became its own unique brand, distinct from Citroen, back in 2015, the manufacturer has been a patron of the Louvre museum – and the company says this special edition model highlights the partnership.
- SEE MORE Best 7-seater cars on sale 2020
Every DS 7 Crossback Louvre comes with a unique sub-menu for its 12-inch infotainment system, called “A Day at the Louvre.” Buyers can use the car’s touchscreen to browse images of 182 paintings, portraits and sculptures from the museum’s collection.
Famous works such as he portrait of the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, The Wedding at Cana by Véronèse and The Winged Victory of Samothrace are included in the package – each of which is accompanied by a four-minute podcast which outlines the work’s history.
DS also says the SUV’s exterior draws inspiration from the Leoh Ming Pei-designed Louvre Pyramid, with unique badging for its bonnet, front wings and tailgate, as well as a specially created pair of laser-etched door mirrors, which feature the same geometric pattern as the art installation.
The exterior makeover is completed with a set of 20-inch alloy wheels and gloss black trim for the car’s radiator grille surround, window surrounds and roof bars. Buyers also have their choice of three paint finishes – Ink Blue, Perla Nera Black and Platinum Grey.
Inside, the DS 7 Crossback Louvre gets a few more cosmetic tweaks inspired by the gallery, including pyramid-shaped air vent controllers, finished in stainless steel. The dashboard and steering wheel also feature the same pyramid pattern as the door mirrors.
It’s powered by PSA’s turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. It develops 222bhp and 300Nm of torque, which DS says is enough for a 0–62mph time of 8.3 seconds. The unit is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard, while economy and emissions figures stand at 39.8mpg and 167g/km of CO2 respectively.
As an added benefit, every buyer will receive a “Friends of the Louvre” card, which guarantees unlimited admission to the museum for one year. The pass grants access to all of the gallery’s permanent and temporary exhibits, as well as the musée national Eugène-Delacroix.
What do you make of the special edition DS 7 Crossback Louvre? Let us know in the comments section below…