DS No.7 Launch and Interview with Audrey Amar, Product Director with DS Automobiles, Jeep 4XE Launch and Interview with Daniele Calonaci, Head of Jeep Europe Design

DS No.7 Launch and Interview with Audrey Amar, Product Director with DS Automobiles, Jeep 4XE Launch and Interview with Daniele Calonaci, Head of Jeep Europe Design Nevo EV News Podcast · Jul 15, 2026

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Term

all wheel drive

All-wheel drive means the car can send power to more than just the front wheels. That helps it keep traction when the road is slippery or uneven.

Car

Jeep Compass 4XE

The Jeep Compass 4XE is a Compass that combines electricity with a drivetrain designed for all-wheel drive. The episode is highlighting how it handles grip and traction, especially on rough terrain.

Term

torque split

Torque split is how the car decides how much “pulling force” to send to different wheels. If the road can’t grip that force, the wheels can spin, and the system then adjusts to regain traction.

Term

traction

Traction is how well the tires can grip the ground. More traction means the car can put power down without the wheels spinning.

Term

slip target control

It’s a system that tries to keep the wheels from spinning too much. When it detects slip, it changes how much torque the car sends so you get better grip on different roads.

Term

wheel slip

Wheel slip is when the tires spin faster than the car is moving. That usually means the road is slippery, so the car has to reduce or reshape power delivery to regain grip.

Term

drive mode

Drive mode is a setting you pick in the car (like Sport or Snow). It changes how the car responds—especially how it manages grip and power on different surfaces.

Term

torque delivered

Torque delivered is how much “twisting pull” the car sends to the wheels. On slippery roads, the car manages that torque so the tires can keep traction.

Term

four by four system

Four by four means power goes to all four wheels. The point is to improve grip, especially when the road is slippery.

Car

Jeep 4XE

Jeep 4XE is Jeep’s electrified all-wheel-drive system. They’re talking about how it can drive electrically for a long range and still deliver strong grip to the wheels when roads get tough.

Term

reducer, 14 to 1 reducer

A reducer is like a gearing step that trades speed for force. A 14-to-1 reduction means the wheels can get a lot more pulling power, which helps grip.

Topic

design and brand design language award

This part is about Jeep’s design direction. They talk about an award and how they keep the brand’s classic look while updating it for new models.

Car

Dodge Avenger

The Dodge Avenger is a car model from Dodge. In the podcast, they’re talking about a newer version and how it fits into Dodge’s current lineup. That kind of discussion usually means changes to the car’s features or positioning.

Term

design pillars

“Design pillars” are the main goals a car company uses to decide how a vehicle should look and work. Think of them like the big priorities that guide the whole design.

Term

frontal storage

Frontal storage means extra storage space up front in the vehicle, not just inside the cabin. Here they’re saying the new Jeep Compass has much more of it than the older one.

Car

Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler is a type of SUV made for driving off-road. It’s known for having a very “open-air” style, like a roof and doors that can come off. The podcast is talking about older versions of the Wrangler and how they changed over time.

Car

Avenger EV

The Avenger EV is an electrified model referenced as an example of translating a brand philosophy into an EV. In this segment, it’s used to connect design priorities—like aerodynamics and rugged capability—to how an EV is packaged and styled.

Term

form fitting aerodynamics

“Form fitting aerodynamics” means designing the car’s shape so air flows over it more smoothly. For EVs, that can help the car go farther, but it has to be balanced with keeping the Jeep’s rugged look and function.

Term

boxy rugged capability

This phrase is about keeping the classic “tough-looking” Jeep style and practical off-road usefulness. The concern is that EV efficiency often pushes designers toward smoother shapes, which can conflict with a boxy, rugged look.

Term

electrification

Here, electrification means using electric motors to help drive the vehicle. The goal is better control and traction off-road, plus some mechanical simplifications.

Term

torque on demand

It means the electric motor can give you pulling force right away when you press the pedal. Off-road situations often need quick, controllable power to keep traction.

Term

transfer case

A transfer case is a part in many 4x4 trucks/SUVs that sends power to the right wheels for off-road use. It can also provide special low-speed gearing for tough terrain.

Term

prop shaft

A prop shaft is the rotating shaft that sends power to the wheels. If it has to sit at an angle under the vehicle, it can limit how high the car can be off the ground.

Term

ground clearance

Ground clearance is how much space there is between the bottom of the car and the ground. More clearance helps you drive over rocks and ruts without hitting the underside.

Term

range

Range is how far the car can go before it needs power again. For EVs and hybrids, better efficiency usually means more range.

Term

0.29cx

That number is a measure of how slippery the car is through the air. A lower drag number usually helps the car use less energy, so it can go farther.

Car

Jeep Avenger

The Jeep Avenger is a small Jeep crossover. In this part, they’re talking about the 2026 update—especially the new illuminated front design—and how they made it feel like “real Jeep,” not just a random EV-style light trick.

Term

illuminated 7-grille

This is a lighting feature that makes Jeep’s grille look lit up at night. It’s meant to highlight the classic Jeep look so it doesn’t feel like a random EV light accessory.

Term

light bar

A light bar is a long strip of lights on the front or back of a car. They’re saying lots of brands are doing this, and Jeep wanted a different, more Jeep-specific look.

Car

Jeep Recon

The Jeep Recon is a new Jeep model that hasn’t fully arrived yet. The podcast says it will be shown soon and that it follows a similar plan to another option they discussed. It’s being talked about because it’s the next step in Jeep’s lineup.

Term

halo effect

A “halo effect” is when the lights are designed to look like a glowing ring or outline. It’s a styling trick that makes the front of the car look distinctive, especially at night.

Term

Easter eggs

In car design, “Easter eggs” are little hidden details you only notice when you look closely. Jeep uses them as a fun nod to its history and designers.

Car

Jeep Wrangler JK

The Jeep Wrangler JK is a specific generation of the Wrangler SUV. They’re saying an early version of their hidden design “Easter egg” idea first appeared on the Wrangler JK.

Term

serigraphy

Serigraphy is a way of printing graphics onto a surface, kind of like screen printing. They’re saying the hidden Wrangler graphic was printed using that process.

Term

lighting signatures

A lighting signature is the recognizable “shape” of a car’s lights. It’s how the car looks at night or in the dark so you can tell what model it is quickly.

Term

anti scratch materials

Anti-scratch materials are coatings or plastics that are meant to resist scuffs and scratches. They help the car stay looking better even with daily wear and tear.

Term

Solantis Foundation

The Solantis Foundation refers to a shared vehicle platform/architecture used across multiple brands. Sharing dimensions and hardpoints can reduce development cost, but designers still work to keep each brand’s look and driving feel distinct.

Term

high driving position

A high-riding driving position means you sit higher up, like in an SUV. That usually helps you see the road better and gives the car a more upright, Jeep-like stance.

Term

rear overhang

Rear overhang is how much the car extends behind the rear wheels. Shortening it can change the look of the car and help designers keep the right proportions.

Term

front overhang

Front overhang is how much car sticks out in front of the front wheels. Changing it can make the car look more balanced and can influence how the front end behaves over bumps.

Term

headroom

Headroom is how much space you have above your head. If designers increase headroom, taller people can sit more comfortably without feeling cramped.

Term

glass barrel

“Glass barrel” refers to the way the car’s windows and roof glass are shaped. Changing that shape can affect how tall the cabin feels and how the car looks from the outside.

Term

multi-energy platform

A multi-energy platform is a car “base design” that can be used with different kinds of powertrains. Instead of building a totally new car for each technology, the company tries to keep the layout similar while fitting things like batteries and hybrid hardware.

Term

ice only

“ICE only” means the car uses only a gas engine (internal combustion). The interview is comparing that to newer versions that also include batteries and electric drive.

Term

battery pack

A battery pack is the main high-voltage battery module(s) in an EV or plug-in hybrid. Here, the speaker explains that on the Avenger the battery pack is placed between the floor area (“belly of the vehicle”) and the seats, which helps keep packaging similar across different energy versions.

Term

air intake

An air intake is the opening and duct that brings outside air into the car’s systems. In this context, they changed it to suit the updated front-end and powertrain needs.

Term

modular bumper

A modular bumper is built from separate parts instead of one solid piece. That makes it easier to adjust the front end for different versions of the car while keeping the design consistent.

Term

air grid shutter

An “air grid shutter” is a movable vent in the front grille that can open or close. It helps control airflow, but they’re saying it may be too easy to damage on a 4x4 used off-road.

Term

PHEV

PHEV means “plug-in hybrid,” so the car can drive using electricity and also has a gas engine. They’re saying some hardware choices can vary depending on whether the version is a PHEV.

Car

Jeep 4x4

“4x4” means power goes to all four wheels, which helps on rough roads and trails. They’re saying a certain front-air feature (an “air grid shutter”) isn’t used on the 4x4 because it could get broken when driving off-road.

Term

modularity

In vehicle development, “modularity” means designing components and systems so they can be reused or swapped across different models or powertrains. The speaker says modularity is important to handle different engines or lineups while still meeting packaging and sensor-protection requirements.

Term

vehicle radar

“Vehicle radar” is a sensor that helps the car “see” things around it using radio signals. They’re placing it higher on the car so it’s less likely to get hit and damaged when driving off-road or parking close to obstacles.

Term

active driver safety tech

“Active driver safety tech” means safety features that help prevent accidents, sometimes by automatically stepping in. They’re saying these systems depend on sensors that must stay intact, especially when the car is used off-road or parked in tight spots.

Term

radar and the camera

They’re talking about two kinds of sensors the car uses to understand the road: radar and a camera. The point is that if these sensors are mounted too low, they’re more likely to get damaged by bumps, off-road obstacles, or parking mishaps.

Term

electric reducer

It’s a drivetrain part that takes the electric motor’s speed and turns it into more useful pulling power for the wheels. Think of it like a torque “multiplier” that helps the car accelerate and grip better.

Term

tartan effect

A tartan effect is a plaid-like pattern used as a styling theme. In this case, it’s part of the Jeep 85th anniversary design language.

Term

plug-in hybrid

A plug-in hybrid can run on electricity like an EV, but it also has a gasoline (or other) engine for longer trips. You charge it by plugging it in, so you can often drive part of your day without using fuel.

Term

seven slot

Jeep’s “seven slot” is the grille with seven vertical openings that many people associate with Jeep. The guest says it’s not the only thing that makes a Jeep look like a Jeep.

Term

toe hooks

Toe hooks are strong metal points on the car meant for towing or recovery. If the car gets stuck off-road, you can hook up a rope or strap to pull it out safely.

Car

MG Go

MG Go is a concept car from MG that previews a small electric city hatchback. They say it’s roughly four meters long and should be able to drive a few hundred kilometers on one charge.

Place

Goodwood

Goodwood is a famous UK event where car makers bring out concept and performance cars. The MG concept cars mentioned here were shown there.

Car

MG3

The MG3 is a smaller car from MG. In the podcast, it’s described as a hybrid, meaning it uses both an electric system and a traditional power source. They’re also talking about it as an early step toward another model (the MG2).

Car

MG2

MG2 is the next MG model the host says the MG Go concept will lead into. Think of it as the production version that the concept is hinting at.

Car

MG4

MG4 is mentioned as the car the host currently drives every day. They also say an updated version is coming to the UK.

Car

MG4 Urban

MG4 Urban is a specific version of the MG4 that the host says has videos online. It’s basically a particular take on the MG4 lineup.

Car

Mg4 Urban

The MG4 is an electric car from MG. The podcast says it’s expected to be available in Ireland, and it also mentions an MG4 Urban version. That means there may be different versions of the same electric model depending on the market and features.

Term

B-segment

B-segment is a category for small cars in Europe, usually compact hatchbacks. It helps describe how big the MG Go is meant to be for city driving.

Car

5 Renault 5

The 5 E-Tech Electric is a small electric car. The podcast is talking about how far it’s expected to go on a real-world charge and how it compares in size to a well-known small car. The goal is to show whether it’s practical for everyday driving.

Car

MG Cyber

MG Cyber is a concept SUV that’s meant to be big and performance-oriented. They’re describing it as a long-range electric cruiser, with a range over 550 kilometers.

Term

D segment

D-segment is a European category for larger cars. Here it’s used to say the MG Cyber concept is meant to be a big, top-tier SUV.

Car

DS number seven

The DS number seven is a DS SUV that DS is using as an important new model. It’s offered as a fully electric car, and it also comes with a mild-hybrid version.

Term

C segment SUV

“C segment” is a European way of grouping cars by size. A C-segment SUV is a compact crossover—bigger than the smallest class, but not a full mid-size SUV.

Term

mild hybrid

A mild hybrid is a car that has a small electric assist system. It helps the engine and can recover energy when slowing down, but it usually isn’t meant to run like a full electric car.

Term

premium EV buyer

A “premium EV buyer” means someone shopping for a nicer, higher-end electric car. They usually care about more than just range—things like comfort, tech, and overall refinement.

Car

Ds7

The DS 7 is a premium SUV. The podcast says people who bought it liked its design and the way it feels in terms of quality. It’s being mentioned as part of a discussion about what customers value.

Term

C-SUV segment

“CSUV segment” means the market category for compact SUVs. They’re saying their car fits that size class but aims to feel more premium and offer more for the money.

Term

DSUV segment

“DSUV segment” is a bigger-SUV size category than CSUV. The speaker says their car sits between the two so it feels roomy without going all the way to the larger class.

Term

electrified future

“Fully electrified future” means moving toward electric cars instead of gas engines. The speaker is saying DS’s design/naming will evolve to match that shift.

Term

ice to bevy

“ICE” means gas or diesel cars. “Bevy” here means battery-electric cars, so “ice to bevy” is the move from driving gas to driving electric.

Term

740 kilometers

“740 kilometers” is the claimed distance the electric car can drive on a charge. The speaker is saying that, based on their range, it should still work for normal highway trips.

Term

maximum speed of 120 kilometers

They mention a local speed limit of 120 km/h to explain that driving conditions help the car achieve its claimed range. Slower speeds generally make electric range last longer.

Term

aerodynamic team

The aerodynamic team is the group that focuses on how air moves around the car. Their goal is to make the car “cut through” the air more efficiently so it needs less energy.

Term

drag coefficient

The drag coefficient is a number that describes how much the air “pushes back” against the car as it moves. Lower drag usually means the car uses less energy and can travel farther on the same battery.

Term

CX

“CX” is a shorthand number that relates to how slippery the car is through the air. Lower CX/Cd usually helps the car use less energy and go farther.

Car

Honda Element

The Honda Element is a compact SUV-style vehicle with a simple, box-like shape. It’s known for being practical inside, with space that’s easy to use. The podcast mentions design features on top of the vehicle that relate to how air moves around it.

Car

Lucid Air

The Lucid Air is an electric car (a sedan) that runs on batteries instead of gasoline. The podcast is talking about how the car’s shape and airflow features are designed to make it more efficient. That efficiency can help the car go farther on a charge.

Car

Ford F-150 Lightning

The Ford F-150 Lightning is an electric pickup truck. The podcast is talking about the way it looks—especially the lighting design at the front and back. It’s an EV version of a popular truck model.

Term

Stellantis Medium platform

The STLA medium platform is the shared “car building system” from Stellantis that different models can use. It helps them design EVs efficiently while still making each model look and feel like its own brand.

Car

DS number seven

DS number seven is an upcoming electric SUV from DS Automobiles. In this segment, they’re saying the car’s shape and design are meant to help it go farther on a charge, especially for longer trips.

Term

charging infrastructure

Charging infrastructure is the set of charging stations available for EV drivers. If there are good stations along your route, you can charge faster and spend less time waiting.

Car

BMW iX2

The BMW iX2 is an electric SUV from BMW. They bring it up because they compared charging stops and real-world range against the DS No.7.

Car

Audi Q4 e-tron

The Audi Q4 e-tron is an electric SUV from Audi. They mention it because they compared how many charging stops it takes versus the DS No.7 on the same kind of real trip.

Place

Paris Montpellier

Paris to Montpellier is a real road trip route in France. They’re using it as an example to show how far the EV can go and how many charging stops it needs.

Car

Audi Etron

The Audi e-tron is an electric SUV made by Audi. It’s the kind of car people compare with other electric SUVs to see which one fits their needs best. The podcast is talking about what happened when it was put side-by-side with other models.

Term

real world example

They’re talking about results from real driving, not just test numbers on paper. The goal is to show what you can expect when you actually own and drive the car.

Car

DS number seven

This is DS’s new flagship EV, the DS number seven. The point they’re making is that it’s meant to go a certain distance in real life, and the inside is designed to feel premium—not just to look high-tech.

Term

3D i5 focal

They’re describing an advanced sound system meant to make music feel more immersive. Instead of just playing through speakers like normal, it’s designed to create a more “surround” feeling.

Term

4D sound

“4D sound” means the car doesn’t just play music—you can feel it too. They’re working on seat vibration so the sound becomes more physical, like you’re inside the music.

Term

noise insulating glass

This is special car window glass designed to keep outside noise from getting into the cabin. If it’s used in the rear too, passengers should hear less road and wind noise.

Term

night vision

“DS night vision” is a system that helps you see better at night. It uses sensors/technology to spot things like animals in the dark that you might not notice with normal headlights.

LIVE

Welcome back to the Nevo EV News podcast. If it's Tuesday, it must be Nevo EV Newsday.

On this week's episode, we are going to be unveiling two embargoed cars, the DS number seven.

I was in France the end of last week. For those of you who are following me on social media, you

can see in static, when I was filming the car, it was 47 degrees. And so we get a chance to speak

with Audrey and if you would hear from DS Automobiles, all about the DS number seven and the

DS brand in general. At Goodwoods last week, we were unfortunately not able to attend

with a nice invite from MG, but we had the MG Go and the MG Cyber concepts. And then to wrap up,

we also have an embargo lifted. If you're listening to this first thing in the morning last night,

the Jeep Compass 4XE, which is their all wheel drive variant. And we'll be able to chat to the

head of design for Jeep, Danielle. And so stay tuned for that. For those who don't know, my name

is Derek Riley. And on this podcast, we chat about all things electric vehicles. Nevo is Ireland's

home of electric motoring and we'll be covering where we were this week, what we've been driving

and what we've been doing between the podcasts. If you haven't already subscribed or followed us

wherever you're listening to this, please do so. And if you enjoyed the episode, please leave us

a rating and a comment. It really helps us out and it doesn't cost you anything. So let's get stuck

into the Jeep Compass first, actually. And the all wheel drive version, the link will be in the

description for the video. And I had probably one of the best press trips regards to they had a

off ground off, what do they call the playground for the to showcase the all wheel drive. So

go and have a look at the video. It's amazing what they have done with the system. And Jeep

are known for their all wheel drive and their four by four credentials. And they wanted to make

sure that when they did go fully electric that it wasn't going to be lacking in that department.

And by golly, that is not that as the case. And some other interesting things that they've done

with it is they have to manage that traction. They have the old logic was torque split.

And just to explain that you got to calculate a torque value was sent to eat axle. And if the

surface cannot accept it, the wheel spins, and then the system reacts after the grip is lost.

So what the new Forex eLogic is, it's a slip target control. And so if the wheel slips, the wheel

speed is above the vehicle speed, what happens is it senses if there's a slip, it sets the new

front and rear threshold in real time, and it acts afterwards then as well. So it picks up

what the road condition is plus the speed plus the drive mode. And then it understands what you

are. And so if you're in sport mode, how you want to done if you're in snow,

modern ice, modern sand, sorry, the front and rear slip threshold are set in real time with

and then the torque is delivered based on the available grip nut. The grip is then lost with

the torque spits out of things. So really, it's about predicting the high deliverable torque and

intervene full traction loss peak grip is guaranteed but without with maximum traction.

And so it's all about being a smarter four by four system. So very good to see that.

What are you getting with the 4XE? So we've already had the International Press Drive in

Barcelona. We were at the Irish launch in Slane a couple of weeks ago. And so with the 4XE,

you're getting an EV range of 606 kilometers, a torque on the front axle of 245 Newton meters,

a torque on the rear axle of 200, sorry, 345 on the front axle, 232 on the rear axle, but then

there's a reducer, 14 to 1 reducer. And so the rear wheel torque is actually 1,300, sorry,

3,100 Newton meters and an overall horsepower of 375 equivalent. So very powerful, has all the

bells and whistles, does exactly what it should. Very impressed with it. Go and have a look at

the video, but let's jump into the interview with Danielle now about the design and recent award

winning brand as well. So let's have a chat with him. I'm Daniele Calonaci, Jeep Design Director

for Jeep Europe. Thank you for joining me today in this beautiful location. First of all, congratulations

on winning the 2026 Car Design Award for Brand Design Language. The jury praised the way the

team reinterprets iconic design cues without diluting them. How did you approach the balance

of honoring Jeep 85 year heritage while introducing hypermodern updates to the 2026 Avenger and the

new Compass? Yes, exactly. It's the presentation we gave yesterday and we are giving in these days.

The idea is to stay connected with the history of our brand that has a huge history of 85 years

and trying to transform the Jeep value, not trying, but actually transforming the Jeep

values in design pillars, but always trying to push the history as a sort of baggage for our

jump in the future. So this is the main concept. The idea is to work around for design and content

pillars that are the most important is the capabilities you can imagine. Everything started

for the 4x4, the right geometry of the vehicle to face difficult roads. Then we have protection

that is really important as you can imagine when you drive in the off-road, but not only

because sometimes protection is useful in the city, parking for example. Italian drivers are known for

their... Exactly, not only Italian, but for sure Italian are one of the most famous for this topic

and versatility that for sure it's important to have the versatile interior, openable roof,

different type of lineup from between front wheel driver 4x4 and then which is the other one.

It's been a long day. Storage again is really connected with the history of Jeep. So the boxiness

of our volume is important because everything starts from the exterior. If you are boxy you are

able then to dig the interior with the design and to give a lot of storage. I think one of the most

important example is how we pushed the frontal storage of the new compass that is 34 liters in

comparison with the old one that was only 14 liters. It's crazy to see that and it's not a huge

difference in dimensions of the car, but it's how you're able to extract and you to dig out

that extra space internally in the cabin. Again, taking inspiration from the history, if you

were thinking about the IP of the TJ, the YJ that was the Wrangler of the 90s, they were negative.

For different reasons. So we took this inspiration to give this negative section to implement the

storage of the IP. So again, it's always a go on and backward with the history and how to push the

history for future need. You've frequently spoken about the guiding principle designed to function

when translating this philosophy into an electrified vehicle such as the Avenger EV or the Compass 4xE.

What are the primary challenges in ensuring that form fitting aerodynamics in the EV world

doesn't compromise the boxy rugged capability customers expect from Jeep?

Yes, it's not a difficult but complex balance that we have to manage between aerodynamics,

capability and so on. Let's start step by step. I think the electrification in the off-road world

is very welcomed. As you know, when you are in the off-road, what you need is torque and torque

on demand. I think this is the best work that an electric engine can do. So having and transforming

also the 4xE lineup with the 4xE having an electric motor on the rear will give us the

response that our customer needs to manage the vehicle in the off-road. Not only we are trying

to simplify this tractor because with an electric engine or motor on the rear, we are able to eliminate

some extra structure. You need in general transfer case, prop shaft, but that prop shaft sometimes

is inclined and has some negative effect on the ground clearance. So the electrification will

be a big help for the 4x4, for the traction and for the capability. But as you told, electrification

means sometimes for our customer, let me say, to be scared about the range. So 50 years ago,

we didn't think to make or we wouldn't think to make aerodynamic Jeep. Right now, it's really

important also to work on the aerodynamic. And as you know, on the Compass, we reached the 0.29cx

that is quite impressive for this type of vehicles to give the best range. And actually, the best

range is also nice for, let me say, hybrid vehicles. So if you can, let me say, save some gasoline,

that will be better for everyone. Very good. The updated Jeep Avenger, just to focus on that

while we're here. The 2026 Avenger update introduces some striking illuminated 7-grille

slush on select trims. Can you walk us through the design process behind lighting up such an

iconic brand signature? It's not about sticking a bulb behind every one of the seven panels,

and how you ensured it still felt authentically Jeep rather than just a modern EV gimmick.

Yes. And actually, we have a big trend in the automotive world in which you are going to

add the stripes and then you did the modern. Exactly. Everyone is making light bar. So the

idea was to make something discontinued. And we had this simple idea. Maybe we can make them

discontinued and divided by seven and we'll have the sevens a lot visible during the night. So

sometimes the most easy solutions are the best ones. So that was the choice between these.

You will see the recon in a few months that have the same approach, but with a different way.

But always discontinuing the light in the front of the vehicle. We got to see recon and the videos

up on the YouTube channel in Barcelona at the Jeep Compass launch. It had just come from the LA

Motor Show. And as you said, it's a slightly different reinterpretation. I think it's

indirect light and it's kind of a halo effect. So beautiful reinterpretation. And it's so iconic

on the road. That's seven slots. And at nighttime for people to say that's a Jeep. And you know

what? I think I always think that the sevens lot to wear and it is still a functional topic.

On the history, the idea was to cool down the engine because the radiator were high like one

meter now on the wheelie. So maybe we call that we did in the fifties. But right now the idea was

to maintain the sevens lot and also try to transform as we did on the beginning with the Jeep design

language to transform the functionality. So sevens lot now are working for lighting rather

positioning, camera positioning. So the idea is to maintain them functionality functional,

but with a different function that is connected with the modern time.

And those seven segments are being brought through the likes of the select train button.

There are seven elements in that as well. So there's a nice Easter eggs around the car as

well for people to try and find. Yes, you know, Easter eggs is also connected with the history

of Jeep. We used to make these things since more than 30 years. So the first one was introduced

on the Wrangler JK that was a small Wrangler on the on the serigraphy. But right now we decided

also to push more on the more human side of our design studio. So some of them are connected

exactly with the life of our designers. And it's really nice for me because this is probably the

fifth pillar of Jeep fun and fun is connected will always connected with the with the Jeep life.

I think what Avenger was at the telescope and one of the designers was as bring it when maybe it

was you bringing the and it was on the windscreen somewhere. Yeah, the telescope was in the Avenger.

Yes, in the left corner of the Avenger is exactly the profile of my son. At that time,

we were designing the car when he was two years old. So I would I dedicated this vehicle as my

first Jeep vehicle to my son. And right now, actually, I had to say we changed this.

But he's always him. Yes, three years later. Nice. The updated Avenger places a massive

premium on everyday resilience featuring encased lighting signatures, anti scratch materials

on the Jeep shield. As a designer, how do you balance aesthetic material quality inside the

cabin with a heavy duty washable impact resistant materials required on the exterior or the seat

backs etc. I think this is a request that we do from the very beginning. It's important to have

the beginning to really manage the timing also of evaluation of the material for production,

because you know, to evaluate and to let me say sign the material for exterior interior,

we need the long process. So you have to make many tests and so on. So I think again, we need

always to have a straight vision from the very beginning to understand where we want to act

on the vehicles. For example, the Jeep shield, the right material on the interior that has to be

washable and durable and so on. And if we start at the beginning of the project, we're able after

three or two years enough to have this in production. So I think everything comes from this

design vision that we just presented this year, but was also, let me say the topic that

makes us a winner of the designing world this year. Because it's authentic. Yes, authentic and

to really know which is your story and how to interpret this to bring it into the future.

And so you're not designing a car and then thinking about that durability after the fact,

you're thinking about durability from day one. Exactly, exactly. So everything starts together.

Last question on the Avenger. It's an incredibly popular car in Europe,

which shares the Solantis Foundation with several sister brands. How does your design team work

structurally to ensure that the vehicle retains a completely distinct high-riding driving position

and classic Jeep proportions given those shared platform dimensions? We did on the Avenger,

we did a huge work from the beginning with the engineering. So we really shortened the rear

and the front overhang of 40 mils on the front and I think 60 on the rear. Now I don't remember

exactly all the numbers. We straightened the roof to have more headroom and not only we changed the

glass barrel. So the glass barrel in comparison with all the sister of the Avenger is more straight,

not only. To give the right, let me say shape of a Jeep, we moved down the hood hinges. So we

changed completely the position of the hood hinges and also the door hinges. So moving inside and to

give this pop-out fender. Not only we improved all the PP points, let me say the perimeter of the

rear door to give a better entrance and egress. So we really changed many things on the platform,

but usually it's not really easy to change, but we worked on this also on the bigger overall

diameter as possible, raising the ground clearance. So we did so many things that makes the car,

from my point of view, perfect in terms of proportion also, not only in usability.

Going on to the Jeep Compass and specifically here to drive the 4XE and I'm about to go out

on the playground, which I'm looking forward to. The 2026 Compass boasts a significant step up in

interior utility. You talked about the 34-litre front storage compartment and the 550-litre boot,

which is very important to families. From a packaging standpoint, how do you transition

from a multi-energy platform to allow you to free up as much cabin and cargo space

compared to the outgoing generation, which was ice only?

Sorry, I didn't get very well there the last...

So the original generation was only an engine, so you were working around those restraints,

whereas now it's multi-fuel, you have to think about engine, battery, hybrid, etc., etc.

The design needs to think about all of those options and make it look the same no matter

what the platform is. Yes, in general, but sometimes it depends if the platform is smart enough.

And I think with the Avenger and also with the Compass, we were pretty lucky because we don't

have huge difference between multi-energy, BFV, and that's hybrid and NBV. On the Avenger,

the battery pack are in between the belly of the vehicle and the seats, so not change at all

between BFV and hybrid and thermic and on the Compass as well. We don't have a huge impact,

a little bit on the trunk with the 4x4, but actually it's the same car.

Yes, we changed the air intake, so for sure. So the bumper in the Compass is modular,

it's not only three pieces, but the lower fascia is other three pieces. So we can really

approach the different air intake and also the possibility to have the air grid shutter or not

because maybe you have the air grid shutter in the PHEV or not in the other one,

and for sure we didn't have the air grid shutter on the 4x4 because it should be

an expensive thing that maybe you can break in the offroad. So again modularity for us is

super important to approach the different say engine or lineup. Very good. On the exterior of

the new Compass, the vehicle radar and active driver safety tech are explicitly positioned

high to avoid damage during tight offroad maneuvers and minor urban impacts.

How closely does the styling team have to collaborate with engineering to integrate

these sensors into a rugged body cloud? Usually, because that was requested, probably started

from the design point of view, then we influenced the product planning and then product planning

was able to push with engineering because all the sister car has the radar and the camera in the

lower part, so you can break them, especially if you use in the offroad, but also in the city.

So the first request was again, let's give a functionality to the seven slot, not only lighting,

put the radar, put the camera. So let's honor, let me say, the functionality of the seven slot in a

modern way. So we spent a lot of money because you had to recalibrate all the others, but I think

this is the best thing you can do for the Jeep customer. Again, not only for the offroad,

if you are parking this car in the city, anything will break the radar, anything will break the

camera. And I think this is the right move for a technical vehicle as Jeep. Very good.

You're really thinking about offroad and on-road and not just the driver, but also other drivers.

Exactly, because sometimes now we talk a lot about freedom. Sometimes I think I live in Italy,

so someone can drive roughly, as you said at the very beginning, but also when they park.

You cannot let me say trust everyone when they are parked close to your car, so if your expensive

thing are recessed, protected and so on, someone can park in front of your bumper without breaking

nothing. And sometimes with the new trend, they see a lot of lighting in the corner of the bumper

that in my opinion are absolutely useless. I imagine on a Jeep, something like that. So

the design to function for us is primarily. Very good. The 4XE features a staggering 3,100

Nm of torque available at the rear wheels via the electric reducer. How does a vehicle

hidden mechanical and electrical capability influence its stance? Wheel arch design, overall

presence on the road. But from the suspension point of view, as I told before, we didn't

have problems in terms of stance. I think the behavior of the suspension of the different

model is actually the same, also the wheel position. So again, also the body was designed

one time for all the engines and the models, so we didn't have any problems. Brilliant.

Last two questions. Jeep is rolling out 85, 85th anniversary editions. We've got the Avenger,

we're looking at it across the driveway here. What specific historical Easter eggs or design

nods can enthusiasts look forward to finding on these models? Yes, we don't have actually Easter eggs,

but the main theme of the 85th anniversary was 85 years of outdoor. So we started this idea

from North America and in the Vrangre will be introduced the tartan effect that is very close

to the culture of the American for the outdoor, because this is, let me say, the texture and the

color that you have in your plaid when you're making a picnic. So this is 85 years of outdoor.

Then we interpret it from a European point of view in a little bit less visible, but a little

bit more elegant, let me say, approach. So the tartan is shiny black on matte black, but it's

still visible on seats and also on the hood sticker. Very good. So again, the interpretation of the

life that we used to live and we like to live outdoor, interpreted by the tartan in a little

bit more elegant way. Very nice. Last question. With your product portfolio now ranging from

compact urban EVs like the Avenger, all the way up to large plug-in hybrids and full electric,

what's the single most design element that must always remain consistent across the line

up to ensure the vehicle is instantly recognizable as the Jeep? I think I know the answer to this,

but probably you think about the seven slot. That's not the answer, Derek.

In fact, in the presentation yesterday, I don't talk about the seven slot because I think we can

recognize Jeep, but a million of other, let's say, details. Being also a passionate and a

collector, so I have two Jeeps, I'm not a big collector, but I'm very passionate on the history

of Jeep, so I'm a geek of Jeep. I would like to explain the Jeep as, let me say, an abstract

painter would like to explain his painting to someone. If you don't know the history, maybe you

can say, I like or I don't like. Stop. But if you know the history of the painter and how he did

this paint, you will be attracted by the million of details that are connected with the history.

So yes, seven slot is important, but boxing is protection, cladding, trapezoidal will arch,

dig the interior, right material in the right place, toe hooks. I think we have one hour that

we talk about many things that are based on Jeep history. Excellent. Thank you so much for your

time. Thank you to you. Thanks to Danielle. And thanks to Orla in Jeep Ireland for arranging that

interview with us. Next up then, we had the MG Go and the MG Cyber concepts at Goodwood last week.

And so both concepts and both, no, you couldn't open the doors. There were both

blacked out interiors or no interiors at all. And so what it looks like, a lot of people were

saying that the MG Go, which is going to be the precursor for the MG2. So we have the MG3,

which is a hybrid, we have the MG4, which is our daily driver currently. And the updated version

of the MG4 is coming to the UK, still to be confirmed whether it's going to come to Ireland.

And then we have MG4 Urban, which has a couple of videos up on the channel. But the MG Go concept

is going to be a preview of their future B-segment electric city car hatchback,

four meters long, and it's going to rival the likes of the Renault 5,

size real world expected range likely to land between 300 and 400 kilometers on a single charge.

And then the Cyber concept is a large D-segment high performance flagship SUV,

five meters long, it's going to be over 550 kilometers range, long distance cruiser.

So looking forward to seeing what more of these like very little information about them. But

the Cyber, a lot of people are saying, you know, very similar to Ferrari style. And then the MG

Go is very similar to Renault 5 slash electric mini, etc, etc. So lots of good stuff out there from

MG. And as always, they do a product would show at Goodwood. So I'm sorry, I missed it,

but I was at the DS event. And speaking of DS, we are the Irish, the embargo lifted on Friday.

And so we have the DS number seven, an important car to DS because the seven,

the original DS seven would have been their bestseller, that segment that C slash D segment SUV,

it is very important, the C segment in general is very important and then C SUV is very important.

When they surveyed there, I won't spoil the interview, but we talk about who the target

market is and why they go first. WLTP range, 740 kilometers, they are a pains to stress that

highway speeds in France, which is 130 kilometers an hour, 400 to 480. Technology, comfort,

refinement, the seven was 50% of DS sales altogether. So the number seven, so they've

changed the naming convention. We now have a number four, we now have a number seven, we

are now have a number eight. Listen back to the podcast where we chatted to the head of design

for DS and the number eight launch last year in Switzerland, a really good podcast as well. But

let's jump into chatting to, we don't have Irish prices on the DS seven yet, by the way,

that will be coming towards the end of this year. This will be coming to Ireland

end of this year. It'll be a 271 car and it comes in full electric and also a

M health mild hybrid as well. So let's jump into the conversation with Audrey from DS.

Audrey Amar, product director for the DS brand. Audrey, I was just saying to you,

this is the last day of three weeks of showing people around the all new DS number seven.

As we said, it's the end of a chapter because now you're moving on to the next project.

How do you feel about the press launch overall? I was super happy about this press launch because

for the moment, the feedback is very good. I say for the moment because now I'm waiting for the

press. Because you know, usually journalists are polite. So when they feedback to me,

sometimes they are sweet. Moving into the DS brand, DS automobiles has always been positioned

itself as an embodiment of French luxury. As product director, how do you balance traditional

French craftsmanship with the hyper modern tech requirements of today's premium EV buyer?

If I may, we are positioned also not like a luxury brand, but like a premium one. It's important.

We are the only French premium brand. Very good. And after the balance is natural because

from the beginning in our pillars, we always had technology, comfort and refinement. So we are used

to mix these different elements coming from our rooted and the craftsmanship, but also

increasing the technology to help the customers having a nice and quiet drive when they drive the

DS car. And when we looked at the different customer breakdown yesterday in your presentation,

when people bought DS7, it was design, it was a quality feel. And you said when you were designing

number seven, we had to have those elements as well. Yes, for sure. Because the DS7 was our

best seller, 200 sold in sales. And so we kept the great ingredients that we used to create the

DS7 to create the number seven. And it's falling between two different segments, between C segment

and D segment. It's really the sweet spot. And when you on the screen, you have the different

models that you're going to be competing against, you could see where it is longer, bigger offering

again that more premium feel versus some other brands that may be charging a bit more for this

as well. Yes, it was important for us because it's about the ratio between the roominess,

the performances, which is, as you said, between the CSUV segment and the DSUV segment. That

means that we offer more to the customers, but for fair price, yes, good value, a good value

exactly in the CSUV segment. With the transition towards fully electrified future, how does the

number naming convention and design language represent a clean break or natural evolution

for new generations of DS? For me, it's both. Because in terms of design and product, we are

talking about evolution, because as I said, we kept our pillars and historical pillars.

But I think that for the customers to go from ice to bevy, it's a break in terms of use ages.

And thanks to this range of 740 kilometers, that mean more than 400 kilometers on a highway,

we try not to create that break, to let our customer keep the habit that they have when

they drive, when they have a travel. It's interesting in Ireland, we have a maximum

speed of 120 kilometers. So even longer than 400 kilometers. I don't think we have 400 kilometers

of motorway in Ireland. So we're good, okay. The initial reveals of the DS number seven

showcased a striking, highly aerodynamic silhouette. Can you walk me through the design

for this vehicle? How closely did the product team work with the aerodynamics team

to ensure efficiency like we just talked about? We worked a lot with the aerodynamic team,

because our target was to have the best range possible. We have a CX, so the drag coefficient

of zero to 29, which is best in class for this kind of shape, because it's an SUV.

And so we worked on the roof, we worked on a specific element with blades. If you look at

the lightning signature in the front and in the rear, you have blades that cut the air and very soft

and smooth lateral side to let the flow of the air and that are elements that increase

the efficiency of the car. And if you compare to other or the top hat from Stellantis based

on the same platform, we improved by 50 kilometers the range. Thanks to all these design elements.

Audrey can't see my next question, but my next question is about the STLA medium platform.

And you utilize the same as your sister brands across, but it's interesting to hear that

you've achieved an extra 50 kilometers there, but this is down to the design team and the

aero team. It's phenomenal too. It still has to look like a DS and see what people want to want

it as well. Yes, as you said, we worked a lot and it's still a M, but very designed to be

as an electric car. Very good. Premium buyers expect seamless long distance touring with the

battery tech packed into the DS number seven. What's the real world range targets and how are

you charging infrastructure optimized to minimize downtime on the road trip? I wrote this question

before we had the presentation last night and your colleagues showed Paris Montpellier and

you put up against the Audi Q4 e-tron and the BMW iX2. You can tell me about what happened next.

Yes, in fact, we decided to have this this trip and to show it in video, not to say that the

other one are not good, but to say yes, we are good. And that means Paris to Montpellier,

it's 750 kilometers and we are able to do this trip with only one stop and the other one are not

able to do that. They had two stops. Yes, they had two stops. But this is real world examples

because your colleague talked about on a spreadsheet, you know you could do this also,

but to actually do it on the same day, the same speeds, three drivers together,

it was great to see that real world example so that people can really understand that if I buy

a DS number seven, it will do this range and I will only have to stop the ones. Moving to the

interior, Audrey, the DS family is famous for details like the watch strap leather and the

clothed Paris embossing. Yes, my friend is not very good. How have you integrated next generation

digital interfaces and screens into the number seven without losing that tactile bespoke feel?

We are not, to be honest, we are more found about great material, natural material,

leather and all the material based on the craftsmanship and the refinement than on technology

and addition of technology for nothing. When we put a display, it's because it's helpful for

the driver and the co-driver, not just to show technology but an useful technology. So it's

better for us to keep the right balance between technology and real material because in terms of

emotional experience, it's important for us to keep that. And that traditional craftsmanship

French, predominantly. We saw some of the new technology regard to a wood laminate on your

speakers, on the front of the speakers. I remember from number S, you had some beautiful

marketry on some of the trims as well. But I think as you say, people like to touch and feel

exactly. They won't remember the screen and how big it was. They remember the quality of the

steering wheel or the seats. Exactly. It's a question of sensation. You talked about touch,

but here it's important too. And it's the reason why we have this 3D i5 focal. And for the next

generation, we are going also to create more emotional comfort. Just an example we are working

on. When you are in the concert and you hear music, you feel the music in your body because you

feel some vibration. And we are working on some innovation to feel that vibration in the seat,

to have a kind of 4D sound. And this is more that kind of technology that we are looking for

than just have additional display in the cockpit. We talked about this number of different senses

and one of them as well was about the sense of silence and sound. And you're one of the only

C SUVs that has noise insulated glass in the rear for the passengers as well. So

you've really thought about offering top level luxury and premium feel in this segment. Yes,

yes, because the silence is super important. It's an important part of the comfort. And especially

when you are in the BV car, because in the I1 you hear the engine. And so you don't notice

the other kind of sound that you could have external or internal. When it's a BV car,

there is no noise from the engine. And so it was super important for us to very work on this silence

inside the inside the car. And going back to technology, I was last night, the French Morocco

match was on in the World Cup in France one, but I was lucky enough to go for a nighttime drive

to see the quality of the headlights, but also the DS night vision, which is a unique selling point

for DS. I was able to drive along the road and I had a good Anthony is sitting beside me here,

a very large rabbit. He was pretending to be in the nighttime. So I couldn't see him,

but the night vision could see him with that. And so this is an interesting feature that

your colleague was saying 20% of people in DS seven, but now you're going to roll it out in

the techno pack for DS number seven as an inclusion. Interesting safety feature and

interesting technology to offer. I'm surprised that other brands don't offer this also.

I don't know why really, because yes, 20% of customers decided to pay in DS seven to have this

feature. Because you're right, it's very, it's for it's for your safety and for the safety

of the other one around you. And so for us, it was important to keep it and to improve it

and to take care of everyone. The last couple of questions, Audrey. You talked

last night about the size of the C segment in Europe is very important. C SUV is also important

and B2B is also important. So who is your target audience for DS number seven across Europe?

Because different markets have different targets, but generally, is it an executive in a business?

Is what you said 64% of the customers are coming from the B2B. So this is naturally more a B2B car.

In terms of customers, we are waiting more or less the same customer that the one that we had on the

DS seven. And especially because it's always easier to play with the loyalty of the customer

than with the conquest. Yes, it's easier to hold on to them rather than trying to get them.

Yes, especially if they are satisfied by the car. And it's what we discussed yesterday. They said

that the car, the DS seven was comfortable with a high level of quality and a great design. And

so when you have a happy customers, for sure, you will go to the new product if

answer the expectations. We were talking last night at dinner about the influx of new brands

from other countries from outside of Europe. I think DS because of its history now and being

around over 10 years, people recognize that it's European, that craftsmanship. It also is very proud

to be produced in France and in Italy and a lot of the European manufacturers. Do you think that's

going to help with keeping those customers loyal and so that you're going to retain that because

those Chinese brands don't have that premium reputation yet? For the moment. And it's important

to say for the moment, why? Because you're right. For the moment, for the moment, they are not premium.

So we have a step away from them. But we for sure be careful of what is coming. And we are looking

at and we benchmark what is coming because we need to be sure that we will keep this advantage.

You're competitive. Last question. We have number four, number seven, number eight. Outside in the

car park here, we have DS three. Do I need to be looking to the future to see what's next for DS

or what's happening down the road that you can speak about? I won't speak about, but I will give

you a rendezvous during the Paris Motor Show. Okay, in October. I will be there, Audrey, Antony,

and Quiva. We will see you everywhere there. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you.

Thanks to Quiva in DS Ireland for arranging that interview. I really appreciate it getting access to

these top level European executives within these motor brands. And to get their insights,

to get their understanding and to bring it to the Nevo EV news audience, hopefully you do

appreciate it too. If you do appreciate it, make sure you've left us a rating and drop us a comment.

And I look forward to chatting to you next week.

About this episode

The Nevo EV News Podcast tees up the DS No.7 reveal with a look at its range and aero claims, then pivots to Jeep’s 4XE and Compass 4XE traction logic. Hosts and guests unpack how slip-target control manages wheel spin, why electrification helps off-road torque on demand, and how Jeep’s design language ties into sensors, storage, and durability. The DS interview also covers “number seven” continuity, immersive cabin tech, and night-vision packaging, plus real-world Paris-to-Montpellier results.

0.29cx 4D sound 740 kilometers active driver safety tech air grid shutter air intake all wheel drive anti scratch materials battery pack boxy rugged capability

Audi e-tron Audi Q4 e-tron Buick Rendezvous Dodge Avenger DS Automobiles DS4 DS Automobiles DS 7 Ford F-150 Lightning Honda Element Jeep Avenger Jeep Compass Jeep Recon Jeep Wrangler Lucid Air MG Cyberster MG Go MG MG3 MG MG4 MG MG7 Renault 5 E-Tech Electric

Original notes

Welcome back to the Nevo EV News Podcast. If it's Tuesday it must be Nevo EV News Day. My name is Derek Reilly and on this podcast we chat all about EV. Nevo is Ireland's home of electric motoring and we'll be covering where we were this week, what we've been driving and what we've been doing between podcasts. If you haven't already subscribed or followed us wherever you are listening please do so and if you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and comment, it really helps us out and it doesn't cost you anything. Let's get stuck in.

DS No.7 Launch and Interview with Audrey Amar, Product Director with DS Automobiles

Jeep 4XE Launch and Interview with Daniele Calonaci, Head of Jeep Europe Design

MG Go and Cyber Concepts at Goodwood

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DanC5s-Ak3u/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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Nevo EV News Podcast

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