DS SM Tribute concept pays homage to the legendary Citroën SM with bags of 1970s charm and most likely electric power
It might seem odd that a brand created deliberately to step away from its parent would then create a tribute to it, but that’s exactly what DS Automobiles has done to celebrate ten years of involvement with the Chantilly Arts et Élégance event – a kind of French Salon Privé.
You might not have noticed when DS first appeared as a Citroën sub-brand but it was back in 2009 when the name was first used – the letters DS of course harking back to the Citroën of the same name, with the French pronunciation of the letters effectively making the word ‘dé-esse’ or goddess.
The SM Tribute began life as a series of sketches back in 2020 according to DS design director Thierry Metroz and has now been made reality, Stellantis no doubt spurred into action by the enthusiastic response to rival Renault’s retromod concepts.
Whatever the level of your cynicism, you can’t fail to be impressed by the concept, which was produced from a brief to envisage the SM as it would have evolved today, had it never left production – a kind of French Porsche 911 if you will.
The original’s signature glass grille covering lamps and number plate is now an illuminated 3D screen, while the rear wheels are naturally partly covered by stylish fairings, while on the inside the ridged velour and swooping shape of the original seating have been updated, with a sweeping electronic dashboard which despite its 21st century tech could only be inspired by Robert Opron’s original.
Sadly, Stellantis doesn’t say what powers the SM Tribute, but we can be pretty certain it’s more likely to be an EV powertrain than a Maserati V6, despite both brands once being under common ownership.
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