Thursday, 19 March 2026

DS No. 7 Debuts as a French Premium SUV With Long Range, Tech-Heavy Cabin, and BMW GLA Rivals in Sight

DS Automobiles has taken the wraps off the No. 7, the model now stepping in for the DS 7, once known as France’s former presidential car. For DS, the launch comes at a useful time, as it faced a lot of challenges in 2025, with the outgoing DS7 sales dropping by roughly 24%, meaning around 14,000 units sold.

Now, it seems that their model is making a comeback as a premium French SUV, aimed to rival the likes of the X1 from BMW or Mercedes-Benz`s new GLA; and that`s because of new features that the French carmaker is putting into the SUV: long range, tech-heavy cabin, and exterior new design lines. Thus, the company is clearly hoping this new “First Class” SUV can do what the No. 8 and No. 4 could not.

The car`s design traces back to the concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2020, with DS pointing to the roofline in particular, which flows into a spoiler above the tailgate. There are also rounded surfaces and a standout shoulder line that really highlight the car`s new personality.

DS NO (1)
DS No. 7

As for exterior paint jobs, the No.7 can be had with a choice of six colors, like Silk Green, Palladium Grey, Alabaster White, Topas Blue, Perla Nera Black, and Crystal Pearl. As for wheels, sizes are available up to 21 inches.

The electric range is broad. The front-wheel-drive Long Range version uses a single motor delivering 242 horsepower (245 metric horsepower), or 276 horsepower (280 with Boost), and pairs it with a 97.2-kWh battery pack built in northern France. Installed in the floor, it preserves legroom and allows up to 460 miles (740 kilometers) of range. The all-wheel-drive Long Range model raises output to 345 horsepower (350 metric horsepower), or 370 horsepower (375 metric horsepower) with Boost, while range stands at 422 miles (679 kilometers). It also covers 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 kph) in 5.4 seconds. Another version, the FWD E-Tense, uses a 73.7-kWh battery, returns 337 miles (543 kilometers), and produces 227 horsepower (230 metric horsepower) or 256 horsepower (260 metric horsepower) with Boost engaged.

DS NO (5)
DS No. 7

Then there is the equipment list. The active suspension reads the road with a windshield-mounted camera and adjusts each shock absorber through a motorized solenoid valve within milliseconds. DS PIXELVISION combines adaptive headlights, pivoting main beams, cornering lighting, and glare-free high beams, with a reach of 400 meters (1,312 feet). Add level 2 driver assistance, night vision, a digital rearview mirror, a head-up display, the Neck Warmer, and Focal’s Electra 3D audio system with 14 speakers and a 690-Watt amplifier, and the No. 7 does not exactly arrive empty-handed. Order books are already open, with the first version offered being the E-Tense with 230 horsepower at 64,200 euros, or $74,075.

DS No. 7 SUV – Photo Gallery



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Wednesday, 18 March 2026

Counting Down: 24 Bikes Reimagines the Classic Moto Guzzi 850 T3

In the world of custom motorcycles, we often talk about "career changes," but Jochen Heinrich’s transition might be the most enviable one we’ve heard yet. After four decades navigating the sterile halls of the banking sector, Jochen traded his spreadsheets for a set of spanners. It’s a return to for...

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Tuesday, 17 March 2026

Monza’s Masterpiece: Ruote Fiere’s 1970s Endurance-Inspired Trident

In the early 1970s, the Triumph Trident T150 was a machine caught between two worlds. With its 741cc transverse triple producing  58 bhp and a top speed north of 115 mph, it had the heart of a champion. Yet, it struggled to maintain its footing against the "Superbike" onslaught from Japan. By 1...

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What Is No Deposit Finance? A Simple Guide for Leeds Car Buyers

Buying a car is a significant milestone, but the traditional requirement of a large upfront payment is an insurmountable barrier for many drivers in West Yorkshire. Nowadays, it is not always possible to save thousands of pounds before even going to a showroom. It is here that no deposit finance is a factor and provides a means of getting behind the wheel without having to bring a lump sum of cash on day one.

The design procedure is made to be simple and easy to reach for contemporary car purchasers. The payments are made in a number of monthly payments as opposed to the payment of a part of the car value at the beginning. This policy will assist individuals in organizing their finances and, at the same time, save for a good vehicle that will bring them or their family members to work every day. You will find out how this flexible option will enable you to get your next car.

How No Deposit Finance Works

A driver opting for a finance agreement with no deposit has the vehicle’s purchase price covered by the lender. This is repaid by the borrower as a fixed amount of money, with an interest charge, over a set period. Since one does not make an initial payment to lower the amount of the loan, the monthly repayments will normally be higher compared to the monthly repayments that would otherwise be made in case a deposit was made. It is however a trade-off worth the money to many so as not to empty their savings account.

Drivers can find various that cater to different budgets and vehicle preferences. Most of these agreements fall under Hire Purchase (HP). With HP, the cost of the car is divided into equal monthly payments. Once the final payment is made at the end of the term, the driver becomes the legal owner of the vehicle.

The Benefits for Leeds Drivers

The main benefit of this arrangement is that it is easy to buy a vehicle quickly. When a car you have is not functioning as planned or when you have a new job and have to travel further, sometimes you will not have time to wait to save a deposit. Drivers can be able to change their car within a short period of time, as they do not need to have upfront cash to do so.

The rates of interest are also customised according to the credit history, and so buyers should first ensure that they are eligible. The lenders, such as Carmoola, will consider the financial background of an individual and the specifics of the model and agreement in order to calculate the APR.

What to Consider Before Applying

Although the absence of a deposit does not require much, it is still crucial to know the long-term commitment. The bigger the loan amount, the bigger the total interest paid during the time of the agreement will be. The monthly charge should be affordable to the drivers since all other expenditures have been taken into consideration.

It is also good business etiquette to conduct a history check of any used car before signing an agreement. This is to avoid any concealed problems or unpaid debts of a former proprietor of the vehicle. Most digital finance applications currently enable users to do so via an app, and it can be done much quicker than traditional.

Final Notes

No deposit finance provides a flexible solution for anyone looking to upgrade their vehicle without the stress of a large initial cost. By spreading the price over a convenient period, usually between one and five years, it makes car ownership feel much more manageable. As long as the monthly payments are affordable, it’s a smart way to stay mobile.



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Monday, 16 March 2026

Sympathy for the Devil: 5 of our favorite Ducati Diavel Customs

When Ducati first pulled the silk off the Diavel in 2010, the motorcycling world didn’t quite know where to file it. It was a 162-hp brute that combined the long wheelbase of a cruiser with the rake and trail of a superbike, wrapped in bodywork that looked like a muscular middle linebacker in a tail...

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Promises Delivered: A Custom Ducati 749

Based in Washington, D.C., Andrew Jett of Jett Design Garage operates at the intersection of fine art and engineering. Having studied design in college, Jett’s philosophy is rooted in the concept of the ‘focused experience.’ For him, a motorcycle isn't a collection of specs; it’s a creative medium u...

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Sunday, 15 March 2026

Jim Farley’s Falcon Ute Comments Spark Fresh Revival Talk in Australia

Ford has not officially announced a new Falcon ute, but recent remarks from CEO Jim Farley have clearly reignited the conversation. That alone was enough to get enthusiasts talking again, especially in Australia, where the Falcon-based ute still carries real emotional weight.

Farley made those comments during a visit to Australia, where interest in the old formula has never fully disappeared. The long-bed, car-based utility model remains a favorite memory for plenty of local drivers, and Ford’s boss did little to cool speculation. In fact, he said, “I think this country gave the globe the ute,” then added that he is “pretty serious” about the idea of bringing the nameplate back.

That does not mean a finished product is on the way. Farley stopped well short of confirming a production program, and he was careful with the details. Still, his wording was not casual. He pointed toward a modern interpretation with unibody construction and car-like roots rather than a direct recreation of the old formula.

Ford Falcon Ute Rendering (4)
Ford Falcon Ute Rendering

He also made it clear that Ford would not simply copy and paste an existing product. “We have really been successful with the Maverick. No I don’t think it should be the same, necessarily. I’m not going to get into specifics. All I’m says is Aussies would love – on paper – a unibody, efficient, even performance ute, because they have previously,” Farley said. He followed that with an equally direct explanation of how Ford would need to approach the market: “To do it right here, as a car person, I wouldn’t want to just stamp a global solution and force the market to take it. That’s why I’m here. How you solve it for Australia is different from the US.”

Those quotes are really the story. They do not confirm a reborn Falcon ute, but they do show that the idea has reached the top floor of Ford. And once that happened, the rendering crowd got to work.

Ford Falcon Ute Rendering (5)
Ford Falcon Ute Rendering

One recent digital proposal imagines a new Falcon ute based on the Ford Mondeo Sport, also known in some markets as the Evos. It is still just a rendering, nothing more, yet it gives form to the broader discussion that Farley reopened. Whether that design would work in the real world is another matter. A proper performance-oriented ute would need more than sharp lines. Suspension tuning, braking hardware, and the engine lineup would matter far more.

Even so, the appetite is obvious. Australia remembers what the Falcon ute used to be, and Ford’s CEO has now publicly acknowledged that history. That alone makes this more than random wishful thinking. Whether it becomes a real showroom product is still unknown, but for now, the door is no longer fully closed.

Ford Falcon Ute – Renderings



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