Electrogenic, a company that specializes in electrifying classic cars has revealed its latest creation, an electrified 1971 Citroen DS. This is the first DS to get converted into a battery-electric vehicle according to the company and it did so without sacrificing the traits that made this vehicle an icon. That means the DS’ pneumatic suspension, which has the self-leveling capability and gives the sedan its renowned magic carpet-like ride, has been retained.
“Repowering classic cars with all-electric drive brings several benefits, from the ease of use to reliability and performance gains,” said Steve Drummond, director, and co-founder of Electrogenic. “But with our conversions, the aim is always to enhance the original characteristics of the car. In this respect, the Citroën DS was ideally suited to an electric conversion — the silent powertrain adds to the serene driving experience and fits perfectly with the character of the car.”
Powering the all-electric Citroën DS is a single electric motor with 120 hp and 173 lb-ft of torque. That’s a significant upgrade over the original engine, which had up to 115 hp and 126 lb-ft. A 48.5-kWh battery backs the electric motor and enables the car to travel up to 140 miles per charge. The onboard charger is good for up to 29 kW and can fully charge the battery pack in two hours according to Electrogenic. There will also be a range extender battery that will be good for up to 200 miles. The charging port is mounted into the right rear of the vehicle.
During the conversion of the Citroën DS, Electrogenic made sure to keep the car’s original design. You still get that same distinctive exterior, only this time there aren’t any exhaust tips because the internal combustion powertrain has been swapped out for a battery-electric one. The only clue giving away that this DS has been electrified is a ‘DS EV Electronique” badge. Electrogenic has also preserved the interior and didn’t add modern features like a modern infotainment system with a touch screen display.
“It seems right to use modern technology to future-proof a car that was so far ahead of its time when it came out in the 1950s,” noted Ian Newstead, director, and co-founder of Electrogenic. “Our conversion breathes new life into the DS and means that future generations can continue to enjoy its charm for decades to come.” Newstead also noted that the Citroën DS presented unique challenges. The biggest one was making the pneumatic suspension work without the internal combustion engine. Electrogenic replaced the old, noisy pump with an electronic one so that it won’t detract from the super quiet driving experience.
Each Citroën DS that Electrogenic converts will be done so to the customer’s specifications. Its proprietary electric powertrains are used to faithfully convert a classic car with an internal combustion engine into a full EV without sacrificing design. Electrogenic was also the first to convert a four-wheel Morgan and a Triumph Stag into electric vehicles. Produced from 1955 to 1975, the Citroën DS was highly prized as a luxury car thanks to its smooth ride and pneumatic suspension. Its aerodynamic and futuristic design was one of its main draws because it looked like nothing else on the road.
