2026 DS Taylor Made No4 Concept
By Lorenzo Bianchi January 9, 2026
A one-off concept based on the DS No4, created with direct input from Formula E driver Taylor Barnard.
Design emphasis on aerodynamics, lowered stance, wider tracks, and experimental titanium-inspired finishes.
Positioned as a visual bridge between DS Automobiles’ Formula E involvement and its DS Performance Line road cars.
A concept rooted in Formula E collaboration
Unveiled on 9 January 2026 at the Brussels Motor Show, the 2026 DS Taylor Made No4 Concept arrives as a carefully framed design exercise rather than a technology demonstrator. Developed by DS Design Studio in collaboration with Taylor Barnard, newly signed driver for the DS Penske Formula E team, the concept is intended to underline DS Automobiles’ long-standing presence in electric motorsport while spotlighting the No4 as a strategic core model for the brand.
Displayed alongside the DS E-TENSE FE25 Formula E single-seater and DS Performance Line Limited Edition models, the concept sits squarely in a brand narrative that runs from competition to showroom.
Exterior design and stance
Visually, the Taylor Made No4 Concept stays faithful to the proportions of the production No4, but the surfacing and detailing push it into more theatrical territory. The silhouette is lower, the tracks wider, and the overall posture more planted, giving the car a taut, almost digital presence. DS references inspiration from both motorsport and video game aesthetics, an influence that shows in the sharpened edges and compressed volumes.
At the front, a large “No4” graphic dominates the grille, framed by the brand’s vertical LED light signature and pixel-style headlamp detailing. The result is deliberately graphic rather than ornamental, with lighting used as a design tool instead of decoration.
Materials, colors, and bespoke finishes
Much of the concept’s identity lies in its materials strategy. DS introduces four titanium-based visual themes, ranging from raw metallic finishes to lacquered and textile-like interpretations. Notably, the Craft Titanium treatment replaces traditional carbon fiber in aerodynamic zones such as the splitter and lower body, emphasizing texture and hand-applied workmanship over exposed performance cues.
Accents in Light Gold, a DS Performance signature color, appear on mirrors, wheel centers, and badging. Subtle purple highlights, Barnard’s preferred color, are integrated into door handles and side details, while his racing number, 77, is discreetly embedded across exterior elements and lighting features.
Positioning within the DS range
DS is careful to frame the Taylor Made No4 Concept as a design statement, not a production preview. Its role is to amplify the launch of the DS Performance Line Limited Edition and to reinforce the visual connection between Formula E and DS road cars. Behind the concept on the Brussels stand, the production No4 E-TENSE and electrified variants serve as a reminder that the brand’s motorsport engagement is intended to inform, rather than overshadow, its core lineup.
From show stand to digital space
Extending beyond the physical show car, DS confirms that the concept will appear in the Roblox-based driving game Driving Empire during 2026, allowing users to experience its design in a virtual environment. This digital extension reinforces the concept’s role as an image and engagement tool rather than a technical roadmap.