Modern Citroen SM as imagined by DS
With its hydro-pneumatic suspension, quad-cam V-6, drag coefficient of 0.26, a figure that is still low today, and aerodynamic design that was exceptionally low at the time of the SM's launch, the Citroën SM was an engineering marvel of the 1970s.
Unfortunately, the car did not excite the market and Citroën discontinued production after only five years. Had the SM remained in production, it might have looked more modern, like the SM Tribute Concept unveiled Wednesday by DS, the French premium brand that spun off from Citroën and is now part of Sterantis. DS's name is derived from the iconic Citroën model derived from the DS.
The new SM Tribute was created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Chantilly Art & Elegance automotive event and will make its official debut at the French event, which will be held from September 12 to 15. According to DS, the concept is part of a 10-year It was also an exercise in developing a design for a production model, which is planned for 10 years from now, according to DS.
The concept combines modern and retro, with a unique design inspired by the original SM.
At the front, the original wraparound covers for the headlights and license plate have been reinterpreted as sculptural screens that function as light bars. Turning to the sides, the characteristic lines of the SM that follow the airflow from the wide front to the narrow rear are retained, and naturally some of the rear wheels are concealed as on the original.
In the interior, the fusion of old and new continues. The lines of the dash resemble the original design, but here they are augmented by a curved digital meter cluster and a yoke-style steering wheel with its own screen. The seats are also retro with horizontally stitched cushions, and the trim is a mix of leather and Alcantara.
DS has not revealed the concept's power source, but the lack of exhaust tips suggests an electric drive system; since DS is part of Stellantis, one of the car giant's STLA EV platforms underpins this concept likely.
