Whereas the fortunes of the standard auto present wax and wane – however principally wane – the rearward-facing focus of Paris’ Rétromobile Present has by no means been in higher demand. 2026 marked the fiftieth anniversary of this traditional automobile extravaganza, held on the metropolis’s Expo Porte de Versailles (28 January – 1 February).
In addition to the standard cluster of specialist restorers, high-end public sale homes, memorabilia and spare-part shops, and longstanding lovers’ organisations, the present featured plenty of up to date producers.
The brand new Citroën ELO Idea made its public debut in France
(Picture credit score: Benoit Pitre)
The explanation? Having a heritage is a vital differentiator in a worldwide automobile market dominated by brand-new names. The massed nameplates of China are making a considerable dent within the European automobile market.
Confronted with daring design, new know-how and unassailable costs, the outdated guard is preventing again by retaining one foot previously. Peugeot was readily available to showcase the historical past of its soon-to-be-revived GTI nameplate, whereas Stellantis stablemate Citroën took a unique tack.
Citroën Xanae, C 10 and C-Cactus ideas at Rétromobile 2026
(Picture credit score: Benoit Pitre)
Citroën’s show centered on the creativity of idea vehicles, highlighting the pipeline from design desires to manufacturing actuality. With eight key vehicles on show, courting all the best way again to the 1939 Traction Avant 15-6 Cabriolet and together with the just lately launched ELO Idea Automobile – making its French debut – Citroën is on a mission to reclaim its crown as each leftfield innovator and king of the mass market.
Citroën Traction Avant 15-6 Cabriolet from 1939
(Picture credit score: Citroën)
Admittedly, the pipeline analogy turns into just a little extra stretched within the trendy period, the place design and prototyping strategies enable for flights of fancy and fantasy that usually go manner past manufacturing realities.
To Citroën’s credit score, a few of the vehicles right here, resplendent of their polychromatic Nineteen Eighties and Nineties liveries, went on to affect key manufacturing fashions, though the tough and prepared prototype of the 2CV, the 1939 2CV A, was extra about engineering proof of idea than a press release of futuristic type.
(Picture credit score: Citroën)
The Traction Avant Cabriolet is certainly one of solely three prototypes, and is returning to the present after being exhibited on the very first Rétromobile in 1976. It’s joined by its 2CV A sibling, the pair making a exceptional assertion about Citroën’s range of fashion within the late Nineteen Thirties. Simply 4 examples of this primary collection of 2CV survive.
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With the ELO representing the fashionable day, the marque’s different ideas embody the 1956 C 10, an exploration of aerodynamics in a teardrop-shaped type that wouldn’t look misplaced in a Jacques Tati movie.
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The C 10 is starkly contrasted with Trevor Fiore’s Citroën Karin, revealed on the 1980 Paris Motor Present. This brown wedge, with its three-abreast seating and pyramidal type, is probably the last word expression of Seventies-era design. Inside, the motive force sits in the midst of a plushly carpeted cabin, with a multi-functional steering wheel and binnacle housing all of the controls.
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A couple of years later, Citroën was making an attempt to capitalise on its status for suspension innovation – the hydropneumatics system launched within the legendary DS went on to outline the corporate’s giant vehicles for many years.
The 1988 Citroën Activa 1 marked the debut of ‘Hydractive’ suspension, which paired the unique system with digital management techniques and went on to characteristic within the XM and Xantia fashions. The prototype was constructed by Bertone, a long-time collaborator, and was adopted by 1990’s Activa 2.
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The jazzy pastel hues and patterns of the Xanae mark it out as peak Nineties design. This lozenge-shaped minivan had a multifunctional inside and went on to affect the shape and performance of the unique Citroën Xsara Picasso, launched in 1999.
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The 2007 C-Cactus brings us virtually to the fashionable period. The Cactus title made it to manufacturing because the C4 Cactus in 2014, sharing a few of the idea’s stance and absence of standard grille. The idea was a showcase for recycled supplies, amongst different improvements, simply as this decade’s Oli and ELO ideas have pointed to new manufacturing, materials and structure preparations.
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‘For practically 107 years, Citroën has repeatedly reinvented itself whereas remaining trustworthy to its fundamentals: assembly particular person mobility wants, cultivating closeness with individuals, and providing consolation and design which are uniquely ours,’ Citroën’s CEO, Xavier Chardon, mentioned earlier than the present.
The Citroën ELO is the corporate’s latest idea automobile
(Picture credit score: Citroën)
In addition to bringing these fashions again into the general public eye, the corporate additionally used Rétromobile to advertise L’Aventure Citroën, a non-profit devoted to firm heritage. It’s the place one goes to choose up spare components, a Citroën toy and different merchandise, in addition to interact educated restoration recommendation.
The Citroën ELO alongside the 1939 2CV A
(Picture credit score: Citroën)
Citroën.com, @Citroën, Boutique-Laventure-Affiliation.com, @CitroënHeritage, Retromobile.com
