If the E-Tense name sounds familiar to you, it is because DS brought a concept version of it at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. Back then, we were excited about the idea that a production version of the E-Tense and the probability of DS entering the sports car market.

Today, that dream is one step closer to reality as DS unveiled the E-Tense Performance - a one-off prototype developed and created by DS Performance with inspiration taken from Formula E cars.

What powers the DS E-Tense Performance prototype?

While the concept unveiled back in 2016 was powered by an electric motor rated at 402 horsepower and 381 pound-feet of torque, things are a little bit different for the E-Tense Performance prototype. DS announced no performance figures, but it looks like the prototype aims to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 2 seconds!

The two motors get their juice from a compact race-inspired battery housed in a carbon-aluminum composite envelope that's placed in a central rear position for optimum weight distribution. The battery was developed jointly with TotalEnergies and its subsidiary Saft and features a design by Quartz EV Fluid solution. It "hides an innovative chemistry and an immersive cooling system for cells, and permits phases of acceleration and regeneration of up to 600 kW."

Its design previews future DS design language

The E-Tense Performance prototype features the same silhouette as the previous E-Tense, but it gets a face similar to the DS Aero Sport Lounge.} The standard grille was replaced by a digital one with a three-dimensional effect. The usual headlights were placed replaced by two cameras and their purpose will be to collect data. The daytime lights also have a new design and feature a total of 800 LED lights.

Even the paint is special: it features a beetle-effect interference color that changes its shade depending on the exterior conditions and the angle you look at it from. This special green create a very cool contrast with the gloss black surfaces of the bonnet.

The car rides on 21-inch wheels and comes with a traditional braking system with discs and pads, but for safety reasons only, as the battery is the one responsible for regeneration.

The interior - trimmed in a special black leather - is also inspired by Formula E cars, with a cockpit conceived to gather data, and the bucket seats and steering wheel picked straight from the racing world. The prototype is also equipped with an in-car FOCAL Utopia sound system and with a pair of exclusive Scala Utopia Evo speakers.

Can I Buy the DS E-Tense Performance?

For the moment you can not buy the DS E-Tense Performance as it is a one-off prototype only. However, it can be ordered in the NFT (Non-Fungible Token) form with four different series offered between 7 February and 23 October, 2022 when the prototype will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.