DS Automobiles Celebrates A Decade With SM Tribute Concept

To commemorate its 10th anniversary, Stellantis-owned DS Automobiles recently spawned this stunning creation called the SM Tribute Concept.

DS Automobiles, the Stellantis-owned brand spun-off from Citroën, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Before it was spun off,  DS initially stood as a sub-brand under Citroën, and it’s name was inspired by Citroën’s iconic DS luxury sedan produced from 1955 to 1975.

If you want another fun fact, the letters ‘D’ and ‘S’ are pronounced in French as ‘déesse’, which translates to ‘goddess’. Quick history lesson and fun factoid aside, DS Automobiles celebrates its milestone mentioned by creating the stunning SM Tribute Concept pictured.

Aptly, the SM Tribute Concept is inspired by and pays homage to the radical Citroën SM that first debuted in 1970.

As its name aptly suggests, this concept is a modern day homage to the radical Citroën SM sports coupe produced between 1970 and 1975. Through this concept, DS Automobiles gives us its idea at how said original model should look like had it continued to evolve had its production continued.

Like the original, this modern day redux also features a long front section that tapers earthwards. There’s also a glazed section referencing the part of the nose where European market version of the original SM housed their innovative headlights that swiveled in correlation with the steering wheel.

Much of the 1970s original's design ethos are mirrored in this modern-day redux, including its partially-covered rear wheels.

Also harking back to said 1970s special are the partially covered 22-inch rear wheels that mimics said original’s fully-faired ones. Striking here too is the rear-swept C-pillar and wraparound rear windscreen, which takes cue from the 1970s original yet again.

The retro-themed design ethos continues on board with the SM Tribute Concept’s cabin. Leading its design was Thierry Metroz, and he elected to prime ribbed, hammock-shaped seats plus an upper dash that boasts contours mirroring the original.

Ribbed, hammock-shaped seats are inspired by the classic SM, whilst the rectangular steering wheel with an integrated digital display and digital instrument display adds a current, modern touch to things.

Certainly ‘new’ on board is the fully digital instrumentation primed, which is complemented with another digital display mounted in the centre of the rectangular-shaped steering. This is indeed a stark contrast to the original which had classic analogue gauges that were common at the time.

DS Automobiles didn’t disclose what powers the SM Tribute Concept, but all signs inevitably point towards electric power. Again, this is yet another contrast over the original Citroën SM which harnessed a 2.7-litre V6 sourced from Maserati whilst said Italian marque was still owned by Citroën.

DS Automobiles were coy about the SM Tribute Concept's powertrain, but all signs point towards the adoption of full-electric power.

Obviously, the chances of seeing DS Automobiles getting the nod from parent firm Stellantis to put this concept into production appears highly unlikely. However, lead designer Metroz highlights that some of the ideas seen and applied in this concept will make their way into future DS Automobiles models.

“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,” added Metroz further. This is good news indeed given the DS marque’s knack for having quirky and distinct design in its cars since forming in 2014.