A Historic Partnership Between DS and the French Presidency

During the European Heritage Days on 20–21 September 2025, the long-standing relationship between DS Automobiles and the French Presidency took center stage at the Élysée Palace. Two iconic models – the futuristic PRESIDENTIAL DS N°8, built for today’s French President, and the legendary DS 21 Pallas once used by General Charles de Gaulle – were displayed in the Cour d’Honneur, symbolizing both tradition and innovation.

PRESIDENTIAL DS N°8 – A Modern Symbol of French Excellence

Created to mark the 80th anniversary of the 1945 Armistice, the PRESIDENTIAL DS N°8 makes the French Head of State the first in the world to ride in a 100% electric presidential car. With a range of up to 750 km, the vehicle embodies France’s vision for sustainable mobility.

Specially designed for ceremonial duties, it features:

• A bespoke Sapphire Blue paint developed exclusively for the Élysée.

• Illuminated DS LUMINASCREEN grille in blue, white, and red.

• Flag holders, exclusive tricolor emblems, and customized fittings for parades.

• Exquisite craftsmanship with straw marquetry, Dream Satin Blue textiles, hand-stitched Nappa leather and Alcantara® upholstery, and a FOCAL premium audio system.

• Advanced French-built technology: NMC batteries from ACC’s gigafactory in Billy-Berclau Douvrin and an Emotors electric drive unit from Lorraine.

This unique creation reflects the finest French savoir-faire, bridging luxury, innovation, and national pride.

DS 21 Pallas – De Gaulle’s Presidential Car

On display alongside the N°8 was the DS 21 Pallas, used by General Charles de Gaulle between 1965–1967. With discreet presidential adaptations such as flag mounts and sun visors for the rear seats, the car was primarily used for De Gaulle’s journeys between the Élysée and his residence in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises.

After decades in private ownership, the car was sold at auction in 2023 for €59,040. Its presence at the Élysée during the European Heritage Days is a tribute to DS’s enduring role in French presidential history, especially as the brand celebrates the 70th anniversary of the original DS.

Visitors and the European Heritage Days

Nearly 10,000 visitors registered to explore the Élysée Palace during the 42nd edition of the European Heritage Days. Guests followed a route through the historic salons, the ballroom, the winter garden, the grand staircase, and finally, the Cour d’Honneur, where DS’s presidential cars stood as living symbols of France’s cultural and political heritage.

Nikolay Gryazin delivered a strong performance at Rally Chile, driving a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, finishing in second place in the WRC2 category. The result keeps his hopes alive for the WRC2 Challenger title, despite not achieving the all-important victory. Meanwhile, other Škoda crews displayed mixed fortunes but generally competitive pace in both WRC2 and the WRC Masters Cup.

Gryazin and Aleksandrov Start Strong in Chile

From the outset, Gryazin and his co-driver Konstantin Aleksandrov showed they meant business. They clocked fastest times in two of the opening special stages, grabbing the early WRC2 lead. The momentum seemed with them. The competition — notably from Škoda teammates and rivals Oliver Solberg and Emil Lindholm — was pushing, but Gryazin’s pace and rhythm placed him in prime contention.

A Costly Mistake Delays His Charge

In the third stage, however, things shifted. A driving error caused Gryazin to slide off line, costing him crucial seconds. That mistake dropped him behind eventual winner Oliver Solberg and Lindholm, both also driving Škodas. Though initially not catastrophic, the deficit quickly widened.

As Rally Chile progressed into Saturday’s loop, Gryazin was attempting to claw back time, pushing hard. But the slip in the third stage had left a gap — almost half a minute — by the time drivers reconvened for the middle stages of the loop. Efforts to launch renewed attacks toward the final day fell short, and while the margin narrowed slightly in some sectors, it was never enough to reach the lead.

Impact on WRC2 Challenger and Teams Standings

While Gryazin didn’t win, the second place was still precious. It preserves his odds in the WRC2 Challenger title race. With just a handful of rounds remaining, every point matters. His performance also helped Toksport WRT rise in the WRC2 Teams’ classification.

Gus Greensmith, another Škoda driver, suffered technical issues during the opening leg. He later rejoined under Rally2 rules but his chances were effectively ended by that disruption. Lindholm fared better in terms of consistency, but a run-off in a later stage after re-entering, plus time losses, undermined his bid.

Other Škoda Crews: Promise & Problems

Beyond Gryazin’s podium, several other Škoda entries delivered notable efforts:

• Jorge Martínez was the top local driver, securing fourth place in the WRC2 standings.

• Fabrizio Zaldivar from Paraguay claimed fifth place, continuing to show good pace.

• Martín Scuncio from Argentina, driving an older model Fabia Rally2 evo, rounded out the top eight.

In total, Škoda drivers filled four of the top ten WRC2 positions in Chile. Not flawless — some were plagued by reliability concerns or mishaps — but clearly competitive.

Masters Cup: Granados & Martí Dominate

In the WRC Masters Cup (drivers over fifty years old), Mexico’s Miguel Granados together with Spanish co-driver Marc Martí controlled the event in their Fabia RS Rally2. Martí secured the co-drivers’ title in the Masters Cup ahead of schedule, while Granados claimed the lead in the drivers’ standings. Their dominance speaks to Škoda’s strength across categories.

Where This Leaves the Title Chase

With Rally Chile now in the books, Gryazin remains in the chase for the WRC2 Challenger crown. A win would have made his path much clearer, but second place means he still has a foot in the door. For rivals like Solberg and Lindholm, their performances bolster their own challenges — especially with reliability and stage consistency still looming as critical factors.

As the season moves toward its final rounds, expect the margin for error to shrink. Gryazin and team need to maintain pace, avoid mistakes, and manage reliability. If he can combine those with smart tactics, the WRC2 Challenger title remains within reach.

Stelvio Pass, Italy

Located in northern Italy between the provinces of South Tyrol and Sondrio, the Stelvio Pass is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps, reaching an elevation of 2,757 m (9,045 ft) above sea level. It features 48 hairpin bends on its famous northern side, many of which are carefully numbered, making them a landmark for driving and cycling enthusiasts.
The road is asphalted and well-maintained during the open season but closes in winter due to heavy snow and icy conditions (typically from late October until mid-May). Stelvio has been used in the Giro d’Italia many times and remains closed on one selected summer day to automobile traffic to allow cyclists to ride. Heavy gradients, steep switchbacks, and tight corners make it challenging; the northern climb from Prato alone has 48 hairpins.

Vršič Pass, Slovenia

This pass, the highest road in the Eastern Julian Alps, reaches approximately 1,611 m (5,280 ft) above sea level. The route connects Kranjska Gora to Bovec and includes around 50 hairpin bends. Portions of the road feature cobblestone patches, especially near the summit, which add character but can be slippery when wet.
During winter the pass is closed due to snow and ice; typically open from May through October, though weather conditions can affect this. Road work and partial weekday closures occur as well, especially near the summit sections.

Col de Turini, France

Situated in southeastern France, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region near the Italian border, Col de Turini climbs to around 1,610 m (5,282 ft). The drive is 44.9 km long (Route D2566 / Route des Grandes Alpes), and features 34 tight hairpin turns that challenge drivers with steep gradients (up to about 9% on some ramps), especially in the upper forested and mountainous sections.
The road is fully paved and usually open during summer, but can become treacherous in snow, ice, or heavy rain. Parts of it may be less well-maintained in winter or closed depending on weather. It’s famous as a Monte Carlo Rally stage, especially for the “Night of the Long Knives” section with dramatic night driving.

Should we blame meteorologists for bad forecasts?: Weather forecasts are becoming increasingly inaccurate.

Great St Bernard Pass, Italy–Switzerland

The Great St Bernard Pass is one of the most historic Alpine crossings, linking Aosta Valley in Italy with the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It climbs to an elevation of 2,469 m (8,100 ft) above sea level, making it the third-highest road pass in Switzerland.
The road is fully paved, but the pass is closed in winter due to heavy snowfall (typically late October to June). A toll tunnel (the Great St Bernard Tunnel, opened in 1964) provides year-round transit, while the historic pass itself reopens only in summer. The route is dotted with hairpin bends, though fewer than Stelvio, and offers wide panoramic views of snow-capped peaks. It has also been a strategic route since Roman times and is famous for the St Bernard dogs bred at the nearby hospice.

German Alpine Road (Deutsche Alpenstraße), Germany

Stretching 484 km (301 miles) from Lake Constance (Bodensee) in the west to Königssee near Berchtesgaden in the east, the German Alpine Road is not a high pass but rather a scenic driving route through Bavaria. Elevation varies, but it crosses multiple foothills and climbs to altitudes of around 1,200–1,500 m (3,900–4,900 ft) at its highest sections.
The road is paved and maintained year-round, though some mountain sections may be slippery in winter. Unlike mountain passes, it has fewer sharp switchbacks, but its charm lies in rolling curves, alpine meadows, lakes, castles (like Neuschwanstein), and picturesque Bavarian villages. It’s a leisurely drive rather than a technical challenge, but still listed among the Top 100 attractions in Germany.

You may also like:

Uncovering the truth behind a celestial enigma possibly larger than Jupiter: The Forgotten Giant: NASA’s 1983 Mystery Planet.