A word rarely found in the automotive universe flourishes around the N\u00b08, the latest expression of French refinement: poise. An unusual notion that Thierry Metroz, Head of Design at DS, illustrates as \u201cfundamental to \u2018the art of travel\u2019, the mission our vehicles propose. In some ways, it consists of comfort and driving safety, but designers interpret it visually: with very pure, fluid, \u2018regulated\u2019 and therefore pleasing forms. We don\u2019t pursue baroque elements or contrived aggression. An essential principle, at least since the Aero Sport Lounge concept of 2020.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"DS](\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025030402_DSN8.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Concept car experimentation<\/strong><\/span> Sustainable Painjet<\/strong><\/span> Intense design phases<\/strong><\/span>
\nAnother peculiarity then emerges: \u201cThe N\u00b08\u2019s development ran parallel to our concept car experimentation. It began in late 2019, while the ASL was unveiled in March 2020. It\u2019s rare to see such a short gap between a concept study and mass production development.\u201d This coincidence naturally informed the final choices, \u201cstarting with the daytime running lights and illuminated grille, as well as the important two-tone bonnet. An innovation we\u2019re very\u00a0proud of.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nInstead of paint, they utilize the Paintjet technique, similar to an ink film, to eliminate manual interventions, colour liquid atomization, energy-intensive oven curing, and the need for masking, efficiently generating a single piece in two shades. \u201cAnd in the future, we\u2019ll be able to aim for different shades than black, which is currently preferred to recall, among other things, the Art Deco opulence of Bugatti, Delage, Delahaye, or Voisin masterpieces.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nUnderpinning the desire for excellence is the STLA Medium platform, shared with the recent Peugeot 3008, compared to which \u201cthe roofline is lowered by 6 centimetres, the bonnet by 5, and the dashboard by the same amount.\u201d Several intense design phases followed: \u201cThe initial silhouette was validated against mechanical requirements back in 2019. By the following year, we were evaluating clay models in natural light and developing the distinctive eight-point lighting signature headlights, before presenting our work to Carlos Tavares.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>