DS Automobiles Unveils Presidential DS N°8 at Revelations in Paris

The all-electric Presidential DS N°8, developed by DS Automobiles for the French Presidency, was officially showcased at the Revelations Biennale in Paris.

DS reveals state car at international design event

DS Automobiles has presented its fully electric Presidential DS N°8, originally designed for the President of the French Republic, at the Revelations International Biennale of Crafts and Creation. The event, held at the Grand Palais, featured the vehicle at the heart of DS Automobiles' installation. This marks the first public appearance of the model following its earlier use during the May 8 Victory Day ceremony.

The car reflects a merger of technological design and French craftsmanship, drawing on a network of artisan workshops. According to DS Automobiles, this model goes beyond conventional vehicle design by incorporating decorative elements and materials rarely seen in automotive manufacturing.

Design influenced by tradition and state symbolism

The exterior of the Presidential DS N°8 is finished in a deep sapphire blue, a custom color developed for vehicles of the Elysee Palace. A distinctive illuminated grille, known as the DS Luminascreen, projects the colors of the French flag—blue, white, and red—while custom fixtures on the front bumper support ceremonial flags. The car is also adorned with a tricolor emblem on the hood and trunk.

Crafted in collaboration with French artisan houses, the vehicle includes intricate straw marquetry on the dashboard, doors, and speaker surrounds—each piece handcrafted by the Lison de Caunes Atelier. The door panels are covered in a tailored blue satin fabric produced by Verel de Belval, sourced through Maison Metaphores, while the pleated textures were crafted using traditional cardboard mold techniques at Maison Lognon.

Electric drivetrain fully manufactured in France

The all-electric drivetrain is produced domestically. The battery is supplied by the Automotive Cells Company (ACC) at the Billy Berclau Douvrin Gigafactory, while the 350-horsepower motor is manufactured by EMotors in Tremery. The vehicle’s high-fidelity sound system is developed by long-term DS partner Focal, and French armored vehicle specialist Centigon, based in Lamballe, handled security modifications to meet presidential standards.

Creative leadership at DS weighs in

Commenting on the design process, Vincent Lobry, Head of Color, Material and Trim Design at DS Automobiles, noted that bringing together the expertise of multiple French workshops was essential to creating a unified and meaningful interior environment. He emphasized the model’s purpose as both a presidential state vehicle and a platform for showcasing French material excellence and craftsmanship.

The Presidential DS N°8 stands as a unique project that blends national symbolism with artisan design, placing France’s creative industries at the forefront of its automotive innovation.