FRENCH premium brand DS is going electric with a new rechargeable hybrid version of the DS 7 Crossback which the company claims to be a first in its sector.

The new DS 7 Crossback E-Tense all-wheel-drive comes with three motors - one petrol and two electric.

The powertrain combines a 200hp petrol engine with two 109hp electric motors driving all four wheels via a new eight-speed automatic gearbox. Together they add up to a combined power of 300hp with torque of 450Nm.

That's enough for a maximum speed of 136mph with acceleration from standstill to 62mph taking 6.5 seconds. Mixed fuel consumption is a claimed 128mpg with CO2 emissions of 50g/km.

The makers say the E-Tense can cover 31 miles in all-electric mode due to its 13.2kWh battery capacity. Power is regenerated whenever the driver decelerates or uses the brakes to extend the range while another ‘smart' function allows the driver to save enough energy to drive in all-electric mode for the last six or 12 miles of a journey.

A map on the high-definition touchscreen provides real time information on the distance which can be driven in zero emission mode and the location of nearby charging stations. The battery can be charged in two hours using a wall-mounted terminal or eight hours with a traditional socket.