The Citroën SM Tribute, is the rebirth of an iconic model of the French brand and its return as an anniversary prototype of art and creation on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of DS Automobiles. An integral part of Citroën's heritage, it now returns as a design exercise under the DS Automobiles badges, and will be presented at Chantilly Arts & Élégance. It is a stunning piece of work created for the anniversary of 10 years of art and refinement by DS Automobiles' Design Studio in Paris.
A conversation between DS Automobiles and its community of people
"We're working on building on the heritage of our iconic models, giving input to our research into the shape of future models to come at the end of the decade," confides Thierry Metroz, Design Director at DS Automobiles. "What we are presenting, a project that started in 2020, and our presence in Chantilly with SM TRIBUTE, is irrefutable proof of this activity and our research on this subject."
In the spring of 2020, DS Automobiles presented on its social networks a series of sketches called #SM2020. These sketches were the result of an internal creative competition among the designers of DS DESIGN STUDIO PARIS, on the theme of a new design approach to the magnificent SM, introduced in 1970.
"Our community during the presentation of these sketches sent us several important messages," recalls Thierry Metroz. "The first was that they were all strongly associated with the iconic models of our heritage. The second was that no one wanted to mess up the original design."
The DS DESIGN STUDIO PARIS team works systematically on the legacy of the DS and SM historians, through sketches that unleash their creativity and feed their thinking.
"We wanted to go even further," says Thierry Metroz. "We want to give new impetus to our heritage through our timeless symbols such as DS and SM. From these we draw our commitment to avant-garde design."
More than just a tribute, the SM TRIBUTE celebrates ten years of art and elegance since the creation of DS Automobiles and its participation in the first Chantilly Arts & Elegance, and contributes to the DS DESIGN STUDIO PARIS' research for the brand's future models.
A tribute to SM and a design approach that is extremely topical
The message from the DS Automobiles community was heard. The DS DESIGN STUDIO PARIS team has worked as if SM has never stopped evolving over the last five decades.
Born in the early 1970s, SM was the epitome of French innovation in the automotive sector. This 'grand tourer' was a veritable laboratory of technology. Its aerodynamic styling, conceived by Robert Opron, was both elegant and avant-garde. Under the bonnet, a powerful V6 offered outstanding performance. But what really made the SM stand out from all other cars was its hydro-pneumatic suspension, inherited from DS, which ensured the car unrivalled ride comfort and exemplary handling. The SM remains a "cult" model to this day, sought after by collectors around the world. Its unique combination of comfort, performance and innovation makes it a true automotive legend.
If the SM impressed so much, it was mainly due to its luxurious and sophisticated interior. Top-quality materials, precise construction and well-thought-out ergonomics ensured that the interior had a highly refined atmosphere. The dashboard, with its oval instruments, and the distinctive steering wheel, was both functional and extremely stylish. The SM was also very well equipped for its time, with air conditioning and power steering. In addition to its dynamic character, the SM was a car capable of offering "first class" comfort to its passengers.
Frédéric Soubirou, Head of Exterior Design at DS Automobiles : "We were inspired by studying many SM models, including prototypes, up to the two presidential SMs! They all stood out for one main reason, which was their signature : they all gave the impression of... flying over the road, they all gave the impression of airy movement".
This lightness, which suggests dynamism and efficiency, is also reflected in the slim but muscular silhouette of the SM TRIBUTE. The direct link between that model and today's design approach is strongly felt thanks to the iconic front end, and the profile characterised by the long bonnet... "We added some very contemporary symbols of our work to it", continues Frédéric Soubirou. The two-tone bodywork, a reinterpretation of the Gold Leaf colour from 1971, adds a touch of luxury.
"We wanted to build bridges between different eras: the 1930s. When the famous French brands were presenting the two-tone bodywork in competitions of vehicle refinement and elegance, DS presents the automotive symbol of the 1970s that is the SM and our current designs with the strong two-tone bodywork, as seen in the DS AERO SPORT LOUNGE prototype. This treatment has become one of the original features of DS Automobiles models," says Vincent Lobry, Head of Colour, Materials and Finishes (CMF) design at DS Automobiles..
The SM had no visible front grille, and in its place was a very large glass section covering the lights and license plate. After fifty years, this glass section becomes a three-dimensional screen that is illuminated all the way down to the middle, flanked by a lighting signature consisting of three units on each side - as before - flanked by eight daytime running lights with vertical DRL elements that meet the main lights, forming a triangular pattern like the bow of a ship.
The profile retains the characteristic SM lines that follow the airflow from the front by narrowing towards the rear. At the rear, the two large windows stand out, and the rear porthole makes the rear look like it's floating in an S-shape. Of course, the rear wheels are partially covered with removable parts.
The SM Tribute retains the impressive proportions of the original SM, but with a more muscular and dynamic presence, while the long bonnet emphasises the links with the past. It measures 4.94m long (+3cm from the original model), 1.94m wide (+14cm) and 1.34m tall (+2cm), while its 22-inch wheels offer a unique sense of imposing presence.
And the interior follows the same philosophy as the 1970's SM
Inside, the 1970s design has been modernised, while retaining the characteristic shape of the dashboard with its oval instruments. Following the pioneering character of the original SM, in the current prototype information is displayed on a curved "console-display", while the steer-by-wire technology steering system completes this brand-loving spirit. 'Sound and light' harmoniously surround passengers inside.
The interior is not at all "heavy" and features ivory-coloured trim made of leather and Alcantara®. The large display on the front of the dashboard offers excellent possibilities to choose from a multitude of trims and materials! The seats continue to impress with the top level of comfort they offer, just like in the original SM.
"The design of the upper part of the dashboard had the strong characteristics of a crossover," says Luc Quirin, Interior Designer at DS Automobiles: "We kept this approach based on the identity of the original model, including the results of our research. The display of information and settings is done by projection, and without the use of a screen. This feature is more impressive in appearance while being less distracting to the driver and passengers."
"The laser-cut leather trim on the door panels evokes patterns inspired by decorative art. This trend was born in the years with the elegance competition (concours d'elegance). The pearl trim is reminiscent of today's models," adds Vincent Lobry, head of CMF design at DS Automobiles.
"It's not just a new version of SM", concludes Thierry Metroz. "The DS DESIGN STUDIO PARIS team had fun with an ambitious project. We have respected the original design through its spirit and details. We have worked on a transubstantiation and have reinterpreted the language of SM.
But as we're not in the habit of disconnecting ourselves from our other work, we've included a lot of details from current models and future DS Automobiles projects."
SM TRIBUTE at the Chantilly Arts et Élégance competition
A partner of the Chantilly Arts & Elegance competition since it was first launched in 2014, DS Automobiles presents the SM TRIBUTE at the tenth anniversary of the competition held in the gardens of the Château de Chantilly in France.
Placed in a 120m2 space next to an original SM, the SM TRIBUTE will take part in the Concours d'Elegance on 15 September. DS Automobiles has already been on the list of winners of the most prestigious competition in France since 2016, with the DS E-TENSE.
At the previous event, the DS E-TENSE PERFORMANCE won the Innovation Award and several models from DS Automobiles' past have also won the Concours d'État over the years, including the SM MYLORD (two titles) and DS 19 LA CROISETTE (one title).
For this year, the SM TRIBUTE will be accompanied by a wide range of SMs on display at the collectors' area. Visitors will be able to see or rediscover a four-door SM OPERA, an SM MYLORD cabriolet, an SM racing car that participated in the 1974 Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours, an SM PROTO that has already been shown at the 2023 Rétromobile Show, and other SMs in different colours from the European SM Club, thanks to l'Aventure DS.
Alongside the presentation of the SM TRIBUTE in Chantilly, you can get a behind-the-scenes look at the design of the prototype by visiting the DSDESIGNSTUDIO.PARIS website.
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