DS Virgin Racing Formula E driver Sam Bird took the prototype DS E-TENSE concept car for a ride through the Westfield London mall in London England. It was the dynamic debut of the car in the UK. It was also the first time a car has been driven throughout the mall of the prestigious retail destination. The silent-running, zero emissions, all-electric concept car was the perfect vehicle for Bird, whose day-job is racing the all-electric DSV race car, as he took DS E-TENSE for a secret nighttime spin past high street to high-end shops and sales outlets inside Westfield London.

“We like to go the extra mile for our partners to help them create innovative content to drive awareness and sales,” said Said Paul Buttigieg, Westfield’s Director of Operations. “Giving a leading racing driver the green light to take a spin inside one of our centres was a real first but having built such a positive relationship with DS Automobiles over the past few years we wanted to help them create a standout moment to mark the UK debut of the DS E-TENSE.”

Sam Bird who has entered his third season with DS Virgin Racing has secured five wins and nine podium positions, making him the third highest all-time Formula E points scorer, one of the few people to have driven the all-electric DS E-TENSE in locations like Paris and Monaco and now for the first time in the UK. Bird is a leading Formula E championship driver, having won the first-ever motor race in New York in July.

Unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the DS E-TENSE unifies state-of-the-art technology and avant-garde design with its flowing lines and unique styling, the Concept evokes a desire to be driven. DS E-TENSE is the pinnacle of DS Automobiles know-how, the upholstery, exclusive metallic green ametrine body colour, and LED Vision headlamps that are jewel-like in design all perfectly reflect the avant-garde spirit and connection to the world of fashion that is synonymous with the DS brand. The daytime running lights accentuate the car’s expressive gaze, and inspired by the original, iconic DS from 1955, the indicators at the rear are integrated into the roof. Setting the trend for future DS models, DS E-TENSE’s tail lights are equipped with full LED technology.

The DS E-TENSE produces 402 hp, 381 lb-ft of torque and zero emissions. DS E-TENSE delivers propulsion that is clean, silent, efficient and powerful.

DS is a premium car brand launched in 2015 by the PSA Groupe, a French multinational manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles which sells their vehicles under the Peugeot, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Opel and Vauxhall Motors brands.