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
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Lowered ride height
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Wider front and rear tracks
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Sharper, more aggressive stance
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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
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Pure Titanium paint on selected body panels
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Liquid Titanium accents for a reflective, metallic contrast
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Craft Titanium fabric replacing traditional carbon fiber on:
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Front splitter
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Side skirts
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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.
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Light Gold accents on mirrors and wheels (DS Performance signature color)
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Purple highlights on door handles (Barnard’s favorite color)
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Racing number 77 integrated into:
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Hood graphics
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Rear lighting elements
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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
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Power output | 158 kW (213 hp) |
| Battery capacity | 58.3 kWh |
| WLTP range | Up to 450 km |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.1 seconds |
| Length | 4.40 m |
| Width | 1.83 m |
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
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Plug-in Hybrid:
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225–240 hp
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Up to 81 km electric-only range
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Hybrid (self-charging):
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145 hp
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Electric driving is possible for ~50% of city use
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Total combined range of up to 1,000 km
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Smart Tech and Battery Management
The DS N°4 range emphasizes digital convenience and efficiency:
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Smartphone app for:
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Battery monitoring
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Charging schedules
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Heat pump system:
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Optimizes battery temperature
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Improves charging speed in cold conditions
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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:
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Strengthens DS’s link to Formula E
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Bridges motorsport, gaming, and electric mobility
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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.
DS Automobiles showcased its Taylor-made N°4 Concept EV at the Brussels Motor Show, a one-off design created with Formula E driver Taylor Barnard. Featuring titanium finishes, racing-inspired details, and gaming aesthetics, the concept highlights DS’s electric future while the production DS N°4 E-TENSE offers up to 450 km of range for real-world buyers.
