‘Owning a Citroën SM is like having a Picasso hanging in your garage. You don’t fully understand it, but you know it’s brilliant.’
The Citroën SM was famously a favourite of French President Georges Pompidou, who had a special version made for his use.
It also caught the attention of other notable figures, including Shah of Iran and rock star John Lennon, an early adopter of the car.
The name, or rather the meaning of the SM abbreviation SM, remains a bit of a mystery.
Some say it stands for Systeme Maserati, Sports Maserati or Serié Maserati.
Others claim it means Sa Majesté or Her Majesty, which would make sense since the Citroën DS was affectionately known as La Déesse or The Goddess before it.
The Citroën SM’s journey started in 1961 with Project S, aiming to create a faster, sportier version of the iconic DS. By 1968, Citroën acquired Maserati, setting the stage for Italian performance to meet French luxury.
Powered by a Maserati V6 engine, the SM debuted in 1970 with either a 2.7-litre or later 3.0-litre engine, producing up to 180 bhp.
The engine propelled the SM to an impressive top speed of 140 mph, making it the fastest front-wheel-drive car of its time.
The SM featured Citroën’s hydropneumatic suspension, offering an ultra-smooth ride and maintaining consistent ride height.
Paired with advanced variable power steering (DIRAVI), the SM delivered a unique and controlled driving experience.
With a striking wedge shape and glass-covered headlights, the SM boasted a low drag coefficient 0.26, enhancing performance and fuel efficiency.
Inside, the SM is dazzled with its futuristic dashboard, oval gauges, single-spoke steering wheel, and plush leather upholstery, blending cutting-edge design with comfort.
Its complex six-headlamp system, including two swivelling lights that turned with the steering, and self-levelling headlights, showcased Citroën’s forward-thinking technology.
The SM was a grand tourer built for long-distance cruising, blending the luxurious smoothness of Citroën with the sporty performance of Maserati.
The SM was produced from 1970 to 1975, with over 12,000 units. Citroën’s financial struggles and the 1970s oil crisis cut its run short, but the SM remains a symbol of automotive innovation.
The SM’s complex technology made it difficult and costly to maintain, but it was a bold statement in pushing the boundaries of design and engineering.
Today, the Citroën SM is cherished by collectors for its rarity, elegance, and blend of French luxury with Italian performance, securing its place as one of the most iconic cars of the 20th century.
The SM’s daring design and engineering continue to inspire, and the recent DS SM Tribute concept celebrates this timeless legacy while imagining what could have been had the SM evolved over the decades.
The Citroën SM: ‘Because why just drive when you can glide through traffic with the grace of a French ballerina and the roar of an Italian tenor?’
