Review – DS 3 Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (2024)
Elegance and sophistication the French way
The DS 3 is the smallest member of the DS family, taking on rivals such as the Mini Aceman, Mazda MX-30 and Audi Q2. This B-segment crossover, which made its debut in 2019 and was updated in 2023 , is available with gasoline, hybrid and electric powertrains. Now DS is introducing a special edition: the DS 3 Antoine de Saint-Exupéry edition.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was a French pilot, writer and adventurer, best known for the book The Little Prince. With 80 million copies sold worldwide, it is one of the most translated French books. He lived from 1900 to 1944 and combined his passion for flying with writing. During World War II, he served as a pilot for the Allies, but tragically disappeared during a reconnaissance mission over the Mediterranean. His work is still famous worldwide.
Stars
For the photo shoot, we placed the DS 3 in front of the observatory in picturesque Hellendoorn, and for good reason. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry has a strong symbolic connection with stars through his famous book The Little Prince. In this story, the starry sky symbolizes dreams, adventure and friendship.
The little prince himself lives on a small planet (asteroid B-612) and travels from star to star, meeting other inhabitants and discovering new worlds. Stars are often associated in the story with memories of lost loved ones and with the idea of infinite possibilities and discoveries. For Saint-Exupéry himself, who often flew at night, stars had a double meaning: both as a guide in aviation and a metaphor for dreams and reflection. And that can be seen everywhere in and around the special DS 3.
Golden reflections
For example, the DS 3 Antoine de Saint-Exupéry features a special pearlescent paint called “Night Flight. There are subtle golden reflections in the paint, reminiscent of a starry sky at sunrise. The elegant details continue in the sill moldings, which feature a quote from The Little Prince: “For those who travel, the stars are guides.” On the exclusive 18-inch “Nice” wheels you will find special hub caps with the emblem of this special edition.
Special details DS 3
Every detail in this car tells a piece of the French adventurer’s story. For example, there are not only subtle references to The Little Prince, but also to his nocturnal air travel over the Sahara. For example, the interior – which is almost entirely covered in leather upholstery – evokes a nostalgic feeling reminiscent of the cockpits of old aircraft. Subtle embroidery stitching on the dashboard symbolizes trails of light in the sky, and there is a special emblem with the Frenchman’s name on the dashboard.
Stylish and modern
The seats feature Criollo Brown Nappa leather upholstery and beautiful details that are also reminiscent of earlier aviation. DS also equipped the car with the updated 10.3-inch infotainment system, which is responsive and easy to operate via large Art Deco-style touch-sensitive buttons. A head-up display makes life in this compact crossover just that little bit more pleasant.
Smooth and quiet
The handling of the DS 3 fits seamlessly with the image DS Automobiles wants to portray: a comfortable, elegant car in which you can briefly escape the hustle and bustle. The suspension is supple and well-damped, effortlessly filtering out bumps in the road. Inside, it is quiet as a mouse thanks to the electric drive.
Faster than you think
Despite its quiet nature, the DS 3 Antoine de Saint-Exupéry does have spunk. The electric motor delivers 115 kW (156 hp) and offers instant torque, making you the first one out at the stoplight when you want to. Yet that’s not what this car is for. The DS 3 is all about smoothness and elegance, not adrenaline and sharp turns. In the bottom lies a battery with 54 kWh capacity, good for a theoretical range of 404 kilometers. In practice, count on about 300 to 350 kilometers. It can be quickly recharged with 100 kW, filling the battery to 80 percent in half an hour.
Conclusion: a successful ode
The DS 3 Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is a tribute to a man who sought adventure, poetry and elegance in everything. The DS 3 does not offer the sportiness and sharp handling that some other brands promise, but it excels in refinement, comfort and elegance. The special edition is available as a hybrid and all-electric E-TENSE, starting at 31,471 euros and 35,736 euros, respectively.
Read also: DS unveils exclusive collection: a Homage to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry