Penned by the French firm’s chief designer Robert Opron, the Citroën SM was an idiosyncratic sports car that was essentially a high-performance model derived from company’s iconic DS. Built from 1970 through 1975, the SM featured unique, aerodynamic bodywork, a host of innovative mechanical features and systems, and a Maserati-sourced powertrain. And while it’s been nearly half-a-century since it’s seen the light of production, Citroën’s spinoff brand DS Automobiles is now honoring the SM with a modernized one-off concept car paying tribute to the Maserati-powered French GT car.
The Brand
Taking its name from Citroën’s DS model — which first broke cover at the 1955 Paris Motor Show — DS Automobiles was established in 2014 with the aim of keeping one foot planted in the past, honoring the French marque’s history and heritage, and another squarely in the future, attempting to harness the latest and greatest advancements in mechanics and technology.
The Inspiration
First unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1970, the Citroën SM was the epitome of a technologically-advanced automobile in the 1970s. In addition to its sleek styling and impressive drag coefficient, the SM also featured an impressive bevy of tech including variable assist power steering and hydro-pneumatic (oleo pneumatic) self-leveling suspension, just to name a few. Winner of Motor Trend’s “Car of the Year” award in 1972, the car also featured a Maserati-sourced engine and a plush interior.
The Concept’s Exterior
DS’ SM TRIBUTE mirrors the original SM’s style and proportions. Sporting a sleek aerodynamic form, the concept car features a wedge-shaped front-end with a full-length headlight arrangement. The rear end of the concept boasts a Kamm tail and a thoroughly modern take on the fender skirts the ‘70s era SM featured. Penned by DS DESIGN STUDIO PARIS, this concept car was originally presented as a series of sketches in the Spring of 2020, though has now been brought to fruition as a factory-built one-off.
The Concept’s Interior
Just like the original SM, DS’ tribute features a luxurious, tech-laden cabin. Trimmed in a combination of leather and Alcantara, the interior sports tuck-and-roll-style leather seats, a large sweeping, curved central display, door panels with laser-engraved leatherwork, and a retro-inspired yoke-style steering wheel.
What Makes It Special
Though we’ve seen plenty of modernized takes on existing vintage cars, the SM TRIBUTE does one of the best jobs of capturing the essence of the original while still looking thoroughly modern. It also provides a unique insight into DS Automobiles’ future design language and the types of vehicles it will be churning out over the next few years.
Straight From The Horses Mouth
“We are working on the genes of our iconic models to fuel our research into the shape of future models that will come along at the end of the decade,” explains Thierry Metroz, DS Automobiles Design Director. “The concept isn’t just a portrayal of the SM. We have respected the original design through its spirit and details. We have done a transcript and reinterpretation of the SM. But as it is not our habit to disconnect from our other work, we have included a lot of details about what DS Automobiles models and our future projects are.”
Spec Sheet
Class: Factory-Built Concept
Brand: DS Automobiles
Model: SM TRIBUTE
Designer: DS DESIGN STUDIO PARIS
Powertrain: Electric
Production: 1-of-1
Production, Pricing & Availability
As a factory-built one-off concept car, the DS Automobiles SM TRIBUTE isn’t available for purchase. With any luck, the one-of-one concept may influence future production offerings from DS Auto, though only time will tell.
Recap
DS Automobiles SM TRIBUTE
DS Automobiles whips up a factory-backed one-off automotive homage to Citroën’s ‘70s era SM sports car appropriate christened the “SM TRIBUTE.”
