DS Automobiles Unveils SM TRIBUTE Grand Tourer Concept

Penned by the French agency’s chief designer Robert Opron, the Citroën SM was an idiosyncratic sports activities automobile that was basically a high-performance mannequin derived from firm’s iconic DS. Constructed from 1970 by means of 1975, the SM featured distinctive, aerodynamic bodywork, a number of progressive mechanical options and techniques, and a Maserati-sourced powertrain. And whereas it’s been almost half-a-century because it’s seen the sunshine of manufacturing, Citroën’s spinoff model DS Cars is now honoring the SM with a modernized one-off concept car paying tribute to the Maserati-powered French GT automobile. 

The Model

Taking its identify from Citroën’s DS mannequin — which first broke cowl on the 1955 Paris Motor Present —  DS Cars was established in 2014 with the goal of preserving one foot planted up to now, honoring the French marque’s historical past and heritage, and one other squarely sooner or later, making an attempt to harness the newest and biggest developments in mechanics and know-how. 

The Inspiration

First unveiled on the Geneva Motor Present in March 1970, the Citroën SM was the epitome of a technologically-advanced car within the Nineteen Seventies. Along with its smooth styling and spectacular drag coefficient, the SM additionally featured a formidable bevy of tech together with variable help energy steering and  hydro-pneumatic (oleo pneumatic) self-leveling suspension, simply to call a couple of. Winner of Motor Development’s “Automobile of the Yr” award in 1972, the automobile additionally featured a Maserati-sourced engine and a luxurious inside. 

The Idea’s Exterior

DS’ SM TRIBUTE mirrors the unique SM’s fashion and proportions. Sporting a smooth aerodynamic kind, the idea automobile includes a wedge-shaped front-end with a full-length headlight association. The rear finish of the idea boasts a Kamm tail and a completely trendy tackle the fender skirts the ‘70s period SM featured. Penned by DS DESIGN STUDIO PARIS, this idea automobile was initially offered as a collection of sketches within the Spring of 2020, although has now been delivered to fruition as a factory-built one-off. 

The Idea’s Inside

Similar to the unique SM, DS’ tribute includes a luxurious, tech-laden cabin. Trimmed in a mix of leather-based and Alcantara, the inside sports activities tuck-and-roll-style leather-based seats, a big sweeping, curved central show, door panels with laser-engraved leatherwork, and a retro-inspired yoke-style steering wheel. 

What Makes It Particular

Although we’ve seen loads of modernized takes on current classic automobiles, the SM TRIBUTE does top-of-the-line jobs of capturing the essence of the unique whereas nonetheless wanting completely trendy. It additionally offers a novel perception into DS Cars’ future design language and the forms of autos it is going to be churning out over the subsequent few years. 

Straight From The Horses Mouth

“We’re engaged on the genes of our iconic fashions to gasoline our analysis into the form of future fashions that may come alongside on the finish of the last decade,” explains Thierry Metroz, DS Cars Design Director. “The idea isn’t only a portrayal of the SM. We now have revered the unique design by means of its spirit and particulars. We now have accomplished a transcript and reinterpretation of the SM. However as it isn’t our behavior to disconnect from our different work, we’ve got included plenty of particulars about what DS Cars fashions and our future tasks are.”

Spec Sheet

Manufacturing, Pricing & Availability 

As a factory-built one-off idea automobile, the DS Cars SM TRIBUTE isn’t accessible for buy. Optimistically, the one-of-one idea might affect future manufacturing choices from DS Auto, although solely time will inform. 

DS Cars SM TRIBUTE

DS Cars whips up a factory-backed one-off automotive homage to Citroën’s ‘70s period SM sports activities automobile acceptable christened the “SM TRIBUTE.”