After we published our DS Studio article this past February, we received more information about the № 8’s front lighting systems.
The headlamps, developed by Mind, comprise three modules with narrow configuration including AFS modes: bending light, digital left/right-hand traffic configuration, low beam booster, ADB, and high beam booster. All of them are outlined by eight diamonds in a Clous-de-Paris pattern, for a stylish, low-profile headlamp.
The DS Lightblade, also developed by Mind, integrates the signaling functions. The V-shaped layout, which first appeared on the DS E-Tense Performance, emphasizes a prominent appearance of the car. Slim and elongated, the DS Lightblade contributes to the car’s aerodynamic efficiency.
The front lit grille and logo were developed by Flex-N-Gate, as part of the extension of the front position lamp, and certified as a front position lamp (Y-lamp, in regulatory terms). Flex-N-Gate received a specification to reach a maximum 60 cd to be always compliant with position lamp regulation (maximum 140 cd), and a luminance target of 600 cd/m2, what is enough to be visible by night—this grille is only lit by night.
One of the main challenges of the development was the shock management (low speed crash and pedestrian shock). To fulfil the requirement, the design includes a special restricted vertical section, a sort of triangle shape which permits a rotation of the component during impact to avoid the bumper beam. PCBs are located in the upper area of the lit grille for this purpose, as well as for better thermal management.
The optical system includes a flat PCB to generate lighting into a light curtain on which laser shots in the tool insert reflect the light. To avoid any reflection at the opposite of the light source, the crystal light curtain is overmolded with a black layer to absorb stray light.
The lit logo area is also produced by a light curtain, composed of a 2K lens (crystal and black), on which Flex-N-Gate did a PVD deposit + laser etching. Luminance is a bit higher compared to the rest of the lit grille, at 1,000 cd/m2.
This is the first asymmetric lit logo on a DS, and one of the first one in Europe to fulfil the legal requirements (maximum 100 cm2 lit area). Due to the size of the lit grille—it’s over a metre wide—one of the challenges was the gap and flush management. Flex-N-Gate, thanks to their experience with Opel Vizor production from 2021, got the job done well.
This project was the first one that involved the new Flex-N-Gate PCB and ECU plant in Treviso, Italy, the former Osram plant. Plastic components and final assembly are done in the Sabadell plant in Spain, to a final delivery in Melfi, Italy, where the DS № 8 is produced.
