EV goddess: DS SM Tribute reimagines Citroen SM as glamorous all-electric GT

DS Automobiles has revealed its SM Tribute, created to mark ten years since the brand split with Citroen to become a standalone premium brand.

Drawing inspiration from the legendary Citroen SM sold from 1970 until 1975 – even though it never featured ‘DS’ badging – the reborn DS SM Tribute reinvents the original Maserati-powered fast two-door for a zero-emission future.

Measuring just 30mm longer, 20mm taller, but a considerable 140mm wider, the new concept largely sticks to the old car’s footprint, while embracing the original’s sleek, aerodynamic shape.

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Mimicking the half-century old Citroen SM, the new retro-futuristic creation gets a 3D screen that acts as a light bar in place of the original’s full-width glass panel.

The cutouts in the rear fenders pay homage to the original’s wheel spats, although 22-inch alloy wheels are giant compared to the 1970 SM’s puny – but delightful – 15-inch rims.

There’s no word if the original SM’s weird and wacky hydropneumatic suspension has been updated and carried over, but the Gold Leaf paint hue is said to draw links back to the 70s car’s palette choices.

Within, aside from figure-hugging seats, it looks like designers gave up trying to update the SM. Why mess with a good thing?

Instead, there’s the usual widescreen digital instrument cluster and infotainment system stretching across the dash, combined with a squared-off yoke-style steering wheel, plus a centre console with capacitive-touch keys, rather than physical buttons.

Designed in-house by DS, it’s unlikely the SM Tribute will ever reach production, but its dramatic styling will live on in future DS models, including a new flagship we dare to dream will be a fast GT but will probably be just another large SUV.

Primed to make its public debut on September 15 at the Concours d’Elegance of Chantilly Arts & Elegance, just north of Paris, the new DS concept arrives less than a month after Citroen called time on the Australian market after a 102-year uninterrupted presence.

There’s no plan to launch DS Automobiles in its absence, despite it declaring it would transition to become an EV-only brand from 2024.