DS Automobiles, known for supplying the armored DS 7 Elysee to the Presidency of the French Republic, announced the limited availability of the similar DS 7 Vauban for the general public. The DS 7 Vauban is based on the DS 7 E-Tense 4×4 300 plug-in hybrid, but adds all of the necessary equipment and features for providing maximum protection to its occupants.
The DS 7 Vauban is named after Marquis Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, a French military engineer who lived at the end of the 17th century and is known for setting new standards to fortifications. The armored version of the French SUV is the result of a collaboration between the WELP Group and DS Automobiles, following the public’s “enthusiastic response” to Emmanuel Macron’s DS 7 Elysee. However, unlike the presidential SUV that boasts a 20 cm (7.9 inches) longer wheelbase, the Vauban retains the footprint of the standard model.
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The DS 7 Vauban benefits from safety glass, and the addition of Aramids fiber in vulnerable areas. While this material is lightweight, it’s still resistant to impacts and heat, resulting in a VPAM 4 level of protection. Owners can further enhance the safety levels by adding optionally available fire extinguishers, closed-circuit ventilation, a siren, intercom system, and more.
DS offers plenty of personalization options including many exterior colors, and interior trim/stitching alongside optional equipment like flag holders, extra USB slots, and reading lights. According to the automaker, the interior transformation was “overseen by upholsterers” in order to ensure a high level of refinement after the addition of the special armor.
There are no changes to the plug-in hybrid powertrain which has the same combined output of 296 hp (221 kW / 300 PS) and 384 lb-ft (520 Nm) of torque from a turbocharged 1.6-liter petrol engine, dual electric motors, and a 13.2 kWh battery. Performance and range figures weren’t announced, but they will likely be affected by the extra weight of the armored SUV. Note that DS Performance offers a more powerful version with 355 hp (265 kW / 360 PS), but this one wasn’t chosen probably due to the lowered suspension and sportier setup.
All of the aforementioned modifications take place in WELP’s facilities in Herimoncourt, which is not far from the Stellantis’ Mulhouse factory, home of the DS 7 production. The DS 7 Vauban will be available from April 2024. Pricing details will be announced at a later date but judging from the limited availability, the armored Vauban could be the most expensive DS 7 money can buy.
