DS Designers Imagine What A Modern-Day Citroen SM Would Look Like

The Citroen SM was introduced 50 years ago today and DS is marking the occasion by trying to determine what a modern-day SM would look like.

As part of the effort, the company tapped six designers from the DS Design Studio in Paris to imagine what an SM would look like in 2020.

The first two proposals are from Romain Saquet and Geoffrey Rossillion, and they’re different takes on the same idea. Rossillion’s SM is more traditional as it features an angled front fascia which pays tribute to the original model. The car also has a long hood, a rakish windscreen and a compact greenhouse.

Also Read: 1972 Citroen SM Looking For A Connoisseur To Bring It Back To Life

Saquet’s car, on the other hand, is far more futuristic as it features angular surfaces and partially enclosed rear wheels. The latter are, of course, a nod to the original.

The two designs are being pitted against one another and DS is asking fans to vote on their favorite proposal on social media. Four additional proposals will be presented in the coming days and the selection for the winning design will begin on March 16th. As an added bonus, voters will have a chance to win a lithograph signed by its designer.

While DS is only a few years old, the automaker said the SM is “symbolic of great French coachbuilding” and “remains a jewel of the car industry.” The company went on to say the SM, like the 1955 DS, continues to influence their designs to this day.

As for the original SM, the model was the result of Citroen’s ownership of Maserati. This meant the car combined French styling with an Italian V6 engine. Unfortunately, the car was short-lived as Citroën went bankrupt and was taken over by Peugeot who then ditched Maserati.