DS Automobiles Reveals the Custom N°4 Concept EV at the Brussels Motor Show

A One-Off Electric Concept Inspired by Formula E and Digital Culture

The 2026 Brussels Motor Show opened with a strong design statement from DS Automobiles. The brand unveiled the Taylor Made N°4 Concept, a bespoke electric design study created in collaboration with Taylor Barnard, the newest member of the DS PENSKE Formula E Team.

As with most concept cars, this model is not intended for production. Instead, it serves as a stylistic and technological showcase, highlighting DS Automobiles’ vision for premium electric mobility, motorsport-inspired design, and digital-first branding.

Design Transformation: Racing Meets Gaming Aesthetics

The Taylor-made N°4 Concept is based on the standard DS N°4, but the similarities largely end there. Designers from DS DESIGN STUDIO worked directly with Barnard to translate his world—professional racing and video games—into a physical car.

Key Exterior Changes

• Lowered ride height

• Wider front and rear tracks

• Sharper, more aggressive stance

• Visual proportions inspired by virtual racing environments

The result is a compact EV that looks equally at home on a racetrack or inside a high-end racing game.

Titanium Everywhere: Materials as a Design Statement

One of the most distinctive aspects of the concept is its extensive and creative use of titanium-inspired finishes.

Titanium Design Elements

• Pure Titanium paint on selected body panels

• Liquid Titanium accents for a reflective, metallic contrast

• Craft Titanium fabric replacing traditional carbon fiber on:

  • Front splitter

  • Side skirts

• Black Titanium roof and rear spoiler

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This layered material approach gives the car a futuristic, almost industrial character while reinforcing DS’s premium positioning.

Personal Details: Taylor Barnard’s Signature

The concept is filled with subtle personal references to its co-creator.

• Light Gold accents on mirrors and wheels (DS Performance signature color)

• Purple highlights on door handles (Barnard’s favorite color)

• Racing number 77 integrated into:

  • Hood graphics

  • Rear lighting elements

• Pixel-style headlights and a bold N°4 logo centered in the grille

These details transform the car from a generic concept into a personal design statement.

Production Reality: DS N°4 E-TENSE Electric Model

Alongside the concept, DS Automobiles also highlighted the production-ready DS N°4 E-TENSE, the fully electric version that customers can actually buy.

DS N°4 E-TENSE – Key Specifications

This places the N°4 E-TENSE firmly in the premium compact EV segment, optimized for urban and suburban European driving.

Hybrid Options for a Gradual Transition

For buyers not ready to go fully electric, DS offers electrified alternatives:

Electrified DS N°4 Lineup

• Plug-in Hybrid:

  • 225–240 hp

  • Up to 81 km electric-only range

• Hybrid (self-charging):

  • 145 hp

  • Electric driving is possible for ~50% of city use

  • Total combined range of up to 1,000 km

Smart Tech and Battery Management

The DS N°4 range emphasizes digital convenience and efficiency:

• Smartphone app for:

  • Battery monitoring

  • Charging schedules

• Heat pump system:

  • Optimizes battery temperature

  • Improves charging speed in cold conditions

These features underline DS Automobiles’ focus on real-world EV usability, not just design.

From Brussels to the Metaverse: Roblox Integration

If you can’t see the car in person, DS has another plan. The brand announced a partnership with Driving Empire on the Roblox platform.

Sometime in 2026, players will be able to experience the Taylor-made N°4 Concept virtually—exploring its colors, design, and proportions in a digital world that mirrors the concept’s gaming-inspired origins.

Why the Taylor Made N°4 Concept Matters

This project is more than a show car:

• Strengthens DS’s link to Formula E

• Bridges motorsport, gaming, and electric mobility

• Reinforces DS Automobiles’ image as a design-led premium EV brand

While the concept itself won’t reach production, many of its ideas—materials, lighting signatures, and digital storytelling—are likely to influence future DS electric models.