One of the vital enjoyable thought workouts as a fan of automotive design (or as an beginner or skilled designer) is to think about what a traditional automotive or iconic design would seem like if it nonetheless existed in trendy instances. That’s precisely the concept behind the DS Vehicles model’s newest idea automotive. Referred to as the SM Tribute, this beautiful coupe is impressed by the 1970’s Citroën SM, and the design crew labored as if the automotive had remained in manufacturing over the previous 5 many years.
The challenge dates again to 2020, when DS’ Paris design studio held an inner competitors to create a reinterpretation of the SM. Quite a lot of sketches had been shared to the model’s social channels, some overtly retro and others completely futuristic, with followers capable of vote for his or her favourite design proposals. Design director Thierry Metroz says, “our group despatched us a number of robust messages throughout this sketch sharing; the primary was that it was very hooked up to the long-lasting fashions from our heritage. The second was that it didn’t need the unique design to be spoilt.” Following that suggestions, the ultimate present automotive was developed.
Partially because of its a lot greater doorways and 22-inch wheels versus the unique SM’s comparatively puny 15s, the SM Tribute appears rather a lot bigger than the traditional mannequin at first, however its general size and peak have elevated by mere centimeters. The most important change is within the width, which has elevated by 5 and a half inches. DS nailed the general proportions, sustaining the SM’s pointy nostril and lengthy hood, distinctive greenhouse and rear window shapes, rakish profile and slim kamm-back tail. The satin Gold Leaf paint is a remix of a colour launched on the ’71 SM, and it’s mixed with intelligent utilization of a particular black that helps break up the design and add pressure.
Regardless of utilizing a Maserati-sourced V6 engine, the unique SM had no conventional entrance grille, as a substitute that includes a large glass part behind which the headlights and license plate had been mounted. On the Tribute, that ingredient is a display with three-dimensional jewel-like gentle parts that DS says meet at a degree like a ship’s bow. Beneath that panel and the black bumper ingredient are refined vertical consumption strakes which might be a nod to the outdated automotive’s decrease grille, with a cool SM badge on the nook.
Y-shaped working lights that observe the form of the “grille” panel leads right into a crisp crease that movement all the best way to the rear finish, with a black part creating the floating look of the rear quarter panel. A lot of the tail is completed in black, although the rear window encompass is gold, with extra refined creases that properly catch the sunshine. The decrease diffuser echoes the angle of the tailgate, matching the kicked-up facet skirt. It’s all simply very well accomplished.
My favourite design ingredient is definitely the rear wheel arches. Like on the ’70s SM, the Tribute has partially lined rear wheels, however with a implausible higher cutout that reveals the highest of the wheel and tire, created by a skinny wraparound segmented taillight line. That arduous line then flows right into a comfortable crease alongside the doorways, and it runs parallel to the highest of the decrease opening, which has edges that match the form of the unique SM’s wheel fairing. DS says the Tribute’s rear arch has “detachable components,” however the pictures don’t present what these seem like.
DS solely launched renderings of the inside — it appears this present automotive doesn’t have one but — however it seems to be phenomenal. The instrument panel follows the identical form because the traditional SM, with oval dials projected onto a curved trim panel as a substitute of utilizing a display. Rising up from the middle console is a skinny, curved, clear infotainment display that has a crystal-like shifter and different switches embedded into it. The oblong steering wheel has its personal clear panel for controlling issues like quantity, too. Inside designer Luc Quirin says the Tribute’s infotainment options are “extra immersive whereas being much less restrictive for the driving force and occupants.”
Ivory leather-based and Alcantara is used all through, and the sculptural seats have horizontal cushions which might be like the unique automotive’s. Impressed by “ornamental arts,” the leather-based door panels have laser-engraved patterns that seem like a solar, accented by pearl detailing. One of the vital intriguing parts is the cylindrical storage compartment at knee-level. DS says the Tribute’s inside was designed to “accommodate an virtually infinite vary of finishes and supplies” — I’d like to see one with a full inexperienced cabin.
What DS hasn’t talked about is what powers the SM Tribute. Absolutely it might have a completely electrical powertrain, possibly the System E–derived dual-motor setup from the DS E-Tense Efficiency idea? Although I don’t assume a automotive just like the SM Tribute actually wants that full 815 horsepower. DS additionally doesn’t say what platform the Tribute would theoretically use, but when I needed to guess it might be one among the STLA variants.
Whereas the SM Tribute is strictly an idea, Metroz says it would affect future DS manufacturing fashions, and that the corporate is critical about honoring its heritage. “We’re engaged on the genes of our iconic fashions to gas our analysis into the form of future fashions that may come alongside on the finish of the last decade,” mentioned Metroz, “we need to nurture our legacy via our icons that are the DS and SM. We draw our dedication to avant-garde design from it. As it’s not our behavior to disconnect from our different work, we’ve included a variety of particulars about what DS Vehicles fashions and our future tasks are.” DS is engaged on not less than two new manufacturing EVs, one a conventional crossover and the opposite a fastback alternative for the DS9. If these automobiles have even a little bit of the SM Tribute’s magic, I can’t wait to see them.
