The Citroën ELO concept car previews the foundations of a future "Picasso"

Uncompromising design built on a solid foundation of only 4.10 metres in length, guided by the principles of responsibility, accessibility, spaciousness and functionality. Citroën names the new ELO concept the small car that thinks big. The new model surprises with its interior space and modularity, thanks to the optimal use of its 100% electric architecture.

It features an electric motor located at the rear of the car and a set of batteries installed in the floor, capable of supplying energy to propel the vehicle and also to power a range of accessories such as computers, cinema systems, electric bicycles, coffee makers, etc.

In addition, it includes an air compressor installed in the vehicle itself, capable of inflating camping mats for resting, tyres, paddle boards, balls, etc.

With a length of 4.10 metres, similar to that of a Citroën C3, a height of 1.70 metres, and an unusually wide width of 1.92 metres, the new concept offers an interior conceived as a modular living space, capable of accommodating up to 6 occupants. It is more than a mobility object designed to facilitate a life on the move: travelling, resting, leisure and work.

The information is displayed on a transparent screen fitted with a reflective film, and the information appears to float transparently across the full width of the windscreen, allowing access to all information without taking your eyes off the road. This new screen requires far less costly technology in terms of development and potential production than a conventional head-up display.

It also features a single-spoke steering wheel that improves the visibility of the instrumentation, is comfortable to handle, and is equipped with two joystick-style buttons that allow access to and control of all digital instrument functions.

The rear doors open to optimise interior brightness, with 4.5 square metres of glazing. At the rear, the boot stands out for its tilting hatch that facilitates ventilation, the loading of long objects, or enjoying part of the cabin in the open air.

On the lower part of the bodywork, a bumper identical at the front and rear is fitted, made of expanded polypropylene, the same material used inside helmets, offering protection against minor impacts. The material also extends across the flat part of all four wings, where it serves as an additional support for placing various objects during breaks.

Experienced partners

For the development of the new model, Citroën drew on the experience of its partners, Goodyear and Decathlon, working with practical, economical, technical and durable materials. It is a playful, ingenious means of transport, accessible, spacious and responsible, offering an expanded vision of mobility designed to be enjoyed in different situations and environments.

The ELO opens a new chapter for Citroën; it is an idea laboratory that could be reflected in a future MPV from the brand that upholds Citroën’s values and could hit the road in a couple of years.

It explores ingenious solutions to reinvent habitability and reinterpret the spirit of the MPVs and leisure vehicles that have marked Citroën’s history, betting on architectures designed from the outset for electric mobility.

The interior design and functionality reimagine the cabin as a vital, practical, functional and accessible space, like a “small house on wheels” full of ingenious details.

It offers a modern, colourful and cheerful design, packed with practical features for everyday life, aiming for the car to adapt to the customer’s needs rather than the customer adapting to the car.

A 4 + 2 seater

Essentially, it is a four-seater model with a driver’s seat in a central position, which offers a great sense of visibility, while rear passengers enjoy plenty of space thanks to their three individual seats with generous legroom. All seats offer the same width and are fitted with a folding backrest. The three rear seats are removable and turn into armchairs for use outdoors. Two other additional seats are hidden under the second-row seats and can be deployed to sit recessed on either side of the driver’s seat. In this six-person configuration, boot volume is not affected, thanks to the clever modularity of the different seats. The four side doors open with an opposed movement, while the absence of a central pillar provides easy access 1.92 m wide, and the completely flat floor facilitates entry into the interior.

The driver’s seat can be rotated to converse or work with a dedicated support. And, if necessary, two additional seats can be deployed to carry six people. It can also be transformed into a sleeping space for two people, or a cinema room…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBUjhr77O84

It features technical, sustainable and responsible materials, based on the experience of companies such as Decathlon, specialised in sports and outdoor products, and Goodyear, which has developed new intelligent tyres geared towards outdoor use.

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