DS SM coupe from 1970s returns as gold ‘tribute’ with satin varnish and handmade patina

DS automobiles revamps citroën SM coupe as ‘Tribute’

DS Automobiles pays homage to a classic 1970s Citroën coupe by unveiling the SM Tribute. Wrapped in a gold leaf color, the two-tone bodywork shines through a satin varnish, worked with a handmade patina and black-shade finish. The 1970s coupe, designed by Robert Opron, returns in the Gold Leaf color, which was featured in the car’s brochure presentation back in 1971. The DS Automobiles team aims to bridge the past and present. This is why the bi-tone paint appears in the current Citroën SM Tribute, as finishes like this have surfaced in their concept cars, such as the DS AERO SPORT LOUNGE concept. ‘This treatment has really become a hallmark of DS Automobiles designs,’ says Vincent Lobry, Head of Color, Materials, and Finishes (CMF) Design at DS Automobiles.

all images courtesy of Stellantis and DS Automobiles

information display projected onto the curved-screen console

Features that weren’t on the 1970s model appear in the refreshed SM Tribute. The position of the glass section that revealed the headlamp modules and registration plate is now a 3D screen that lights up in the center. A light signature made up of three modules on each side frames it, just like its predecessor, but now it has vertical daytime running lights whose ends are shaped like the tips of diamonds. The side profile retains its aerodynamic lines, allowing air to flow over the coupe’s body, moving from the front to the back, where the car narrows.

Behind the two large windows, the rear has a quarter panel that is cut in half. It creates an S shape to make it appear as if the rear part is floating or sloping. Removable fairings, or coverings, wrap around the rear wheels to help improve the coupe’s aerodynamics. Stepping inside the Citroën SM Tribute, the 1970s design comes through, starting with the oval design of the instruments. DS Automobiles projects the information display onto the curved-screen console, which is connected to the steer-by-wire steering wheel.

rear view of DS Automobiles’ Citroën SM Tribute

ivory color scheme made up of leather and Alcantara

Inside the coupe, DS Automobiles opts for an ivory color scheme made up of leather and Alcantara to create an airy and light atmosphere. A large display case is positioned at the front of the dashboard, and the seats retain the classic upholstery from the predecessor with its horizontal cushions.

Luc Quirin, DS Automobiles Interior Designer, explains that the display is by projection, meaning there’s no physical screen anymore, to reduce the ‘restriction’ for the driver and occupants. Removing this creates a sense of more space and a more modern feel. Decorative arts have inspired the design team to add laser-engraved leatherwork and patterns on the door panels.

wrapped in a gold leaf color, the two-tone bodywork has a satin varnish and handmade patin finish

The return of the Citroën SM as the Tribute traces back to the spring of 2020 when DS Automobiles shared a series of sketches called #SM2020 on its social media. These drawings were the result of an internal creative competition among the designers of DS DESIGN STUDIO PARIS, focused on reinterpreting the SM introduced in the 1970s.

The public had a lot to say, including not wanting the original design to be ‘spoiled.’ The team read and considered their comments, and in the end, incorporated them into the final result. DS Automobiles introduces the SM Tribute on the tenth anniversary of the concours held in the French gardens of the Château de Chantilly.

the 1970s coupe, designed by Robert Opron, returns in the Gold Leaf color