A bridge between the high-octane asphalt of the racetrack and the avant-garde sensibilities of Parisian luxury, the “Taylor made N°4 concept” emerges as a definitive statement on the future of performance. Unveiled at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show by CEO Xavier Peugeot, this bespoke styling exercise marks a profound collaboration between the DS DESIGN STUDIO and the rising British talent of the DS PENSKE Formula E Team, Taylor Barnard. More than just a static display in Brussels, the concept serves as a visceral exploration of how professional motorsport can influence the aesthetic and haptic language of road-going vehicles. It captures a moment where the binary of virtual and physical worlds collapses into a singular, high-performance silhouette.
The conceptual vision for the N°4 concept rooted itself in the personal narrative of Taylor Barnard, who sought to translate the raw intensity of Formula E into a daily-driver format. Drawing heavily from the visual lexicon of video games and the sleek, aerodynamic necessity of competition, the vehicle discards traditional automotive tropes in favor of a radical, lowered stance and widened tracks. This muscularity is balanced by the brand’s signature elegance—a duality previously explored in the sleek and tapered lines of the DS SM Tribute, where heritage was reimagined through a lens of modern aerodynamics. Here, however, the focus shifts from historical homage to futuristic athleticism, anchored by a bold “N°4” integrated into the center of the grille and framed by pixelated headlamps that lend the car a sentient, high-tech gaze.
Technical sophistication defines the exterior through a masterclass in material science, categorized by four distinct portrayals of titanium. The DS Designers moved away from the ubiquity of carbon fiber to experiment with “Craft Titanium,” an innovative, crinkled metal-like textile. This hand-crumpled material replaces traditional composite in high-stress aerodynamic areas like the front splitter and air vents, offering a tactile, artisanal quality that feels both industrial and organic. This is contrasted by “Liquid Titanium,” a lacquered finish that flows over the bodywork like molten metal, catching the artificial light of Hall 5 in Belgium to emphasize the vehicle’s fluid, wind-sculpted contours. The sensory experience is further heightened by a monochromatic palette: “Black Titanium” grounds the design, while “light gold” accents and Barnard’s signature purple touches on the door openers ensure the machine feels like a tailored garment.
Beyond its physical presence, the N°4 serves as the halo for a new era of electrified powertrains within the segment.While the concept remains a unique styling exercise, it validates the technology found in the production DS N°4 E-TENSE, which boasts a 213hp electric motor and an impressive range of 279 miles WLTP. The synergy between the DS E-TENSE FE25 single-seater and the road car is not merely aesthetic; it is felt in the thermal preconditioning of the batteries and the intuitive EV routing—features born from the grueling demands of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. This transfer of intelligence ensures that the “Taylor made” philosophy extends to the very electron, prioritizing efficiency without sacrificing the soul of the drive through a range of options including a 240hp Plug-in Hybrid and a highly efficient Hybrid version.
As the automotive landscape shifts toward a digital-first interaction, DS Automobiles is ensuring the N°4 concept exists beyond the physical confines of a motor show. Through a partnership with Voldex, the vehicle will be integrated into the Roblox platform’s “Driving Empire,” allowing a global audience to experience its performance in a virtual ecosystem. This move underscores a new contextual impact: the car is no longer just a vessel for transport, but a cross-media icon. Whether viewed on the stand in Brussels or driven through a digital metropolis, the “Taylor made N°4 concept” stands as a testament to a brand that views the future not as a destination, but as an ongoing collaboration between human talent and technical mastery.