Automakers have begun reinventing the automobile as we transition to a sustainable future. From swapping to electric powertrains to utilizing eco-friendly tires. But DS took things a step further with their concept car, creating a glamourous and sustainable interior out of straw.

The DS Aero Sport Lounge’s unconventional, sustainable interior

The French automaker DS (whose name pays homage to the infamous Citroën DS) revealed the Aero Sport Lounge concept in February of 2020. Presented as an environmentally conscious art piece, rather than selecting harmful materials, DS used ryegrass as the trim. Grown in Burgundy France, the straw was weaved together using 17th-century traditions. First dried, then colored, before each thread was split and molded by Parisian craftsmen.

All that special treatment makes for a beautiful cabin that keeps with DS’s goal of creating sustainable luxury. However, the powertrain fitted to the Aero Sport Lounge makes it an art exhibit gone wild.

The DS Aero Sport Lounge is a ridiculous concept

The good kind of ridiculous, as every ounce of the car is impressive and insane. DS decided that the appropriate powertrain for their ultimate luxury machine should be inspired by their Formula E race cars. Under the hood is a 680 hp electric motor that propels the car from 0 to 60 in 2.8 seconds. Though the 404 miles of range helps balance out the ludicrous amounts of power.

And the goodies inside don’t stop with the sustainable straw interior. The DS Aero Sport Lounge featured hand gesture controls, which makes changing the radio station similar to conducting an orchestra. On top of that, the car’s onboard artificial intelligence, IRIS, lets you control everything through conversation as well.

In terms of vaporware technologies, the DS Aero Sport Lounge was crammed with them. But it’s the innovative ideas behind the concept that make its disappearance all the more disappointing.

What Happened to the DS Aero Sport Lounge?

It was all the buzz in February 2020, with every auto magazine clamoring for more details. Though the populous also fixated on the rising pandemic, which soon became the global topic of conversation. Set to debut at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, it fell off the front page after the event’s cancellation. And while this concept may have never entered production anyway, the idea of sustainable interiors was original and inventive.

As of right now, the only 100% electric car in the DS lineup is the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense. It makes just 136 horsepower and up to 200 miles of range, nowhere near the Aero Spore Lounge’s figures. But if you miss that 680 hp engine, fear not! The DS team is still out winning Formula E races, accumulating 14 wins and 36 podium finishes thus far.

The DS Aero Sport Lounge interior introduced a new idea for creating automotive sustainability, though one that may be lost. Whether it’s too hard to implement, or criminally overlooked, alternative interior materials may never see the limelight. But DS gave it a shot, and proved that there’s beauty in innovation.