The words “classy” and “sexy” aren’t always used together in the same sentence, and when they are it’s usually during an episode of the Jerry Springer Show or on the red carpet at the Oscars. When GQ and Citroen teamed up for their latest concept car, the aptly named GQbyCITROËN, they managed to utilize those words without becoming cliche.
This is the kind of car that you can imagine seeing paparazzi huddled around as Jude Law exits from behind the wheel and the tones of Corinne Bailey Ray are emanate outward. Classy. Sexy. And, pretty nicely designed, too.
The GQbyCITROËN has a wonderful proportion: slammed roof-line, accentuated haunches, and a shoulder that a linebacker for the Steelers would fear. The striking red color further emphasizes the dynamic, pulled linework and form language, as if the vehicle was constantly driving through a wind tunnel. While there may some questionable overkill — the formed blip behind the front fender and the now infamous Citroen concept car carp-mouth — the design team led by DS3 designer Mark Lloyd certainly had fun creating the car. The chrome accents, giant wheels, and concave glass all add that extra level of love that a paparazzi-mobile deserves.
The interior, although minimalistic itself, includes color and material design by Savile Row… and it shows. Elegant form language, concave surfaces, and striking red highlights amidst a black and white gold background have a sporty-futurism to them that sports cars often miss. This is a car about the details, and it shows.
Sign us up.
More deets after the jump, including a press release and photos.
GQbyCITROËN – Designed by Citroën. Tailored by Savile Row. Made with GQ.
Citroën and GQ have revealed a unique and exciting automotive project – the GQbyCITROËN.
The GQbyCITROËN is a concept car born through a unique partnership between the UK’s market-leading quality men’s monthly and a team of Citroën designers, collaborating to create the ultimate gentleman’s drive. This is the first time a British magazine has collaborated with a car company in this way.
Responding to a brief by GQ’s editor, Dylan Jones, Citroën’s team, headed by British designer – and the man responsible for the new Citroën DS3 – Mark Lloyd, took a new look at the GT theme and integrated it with a typical Citroën design approach bringing GQbyCITROËN from design outline to concept reality.
GQbyCITROËN combines classically sophisticated features and contemporary styling with a sculpted front end, rounded rear, strong body contours and sleek concave rear windscreen – a signature Citroën design.
The car’s cabin is accessed by rear coach doors and reveals a spacious, comfortable and futuristic cabin. Completing the car’s bespoke styling, the interior detailing and upholstery selections were provided by Patrick Grant, the Creative Director of prestigious Savile Row tailors, E.Tautz, who commented “Savile Row is all about balance and Tautz’s simple military inspired interior is the perfect counterpoint to the Gallic flair of the exterior.”
Dylan Jones commented; ‘I wanted something practical, something cool, and something idiosyncratic – i.e. something surprising that didn’t just look like a concept car. The GQ car needed to have the “want” factor, but it also needed to look, feel and “drive” like the sort of car no sane man could choose to ignore. We think it looks very very special.’
Dynamic performance and environmental responsibility were also key requirements for the project. The GQbyCITROËN concept car is powered by a plug-in Hybrid with a 1,598cc, 4-cylinder direct injection petrol engine offering a sporty 0-60mph time of just 4.5seconds, an electronically limited top speed of 155mph and CO2 emissions of just 80g/km.
Mark Lloyd, Chief Designer of Citroën’s International Projects added; ‘Where this car works so well with GQ is that it fits with the current attitudes of conspicuous consumption. It is understated rather than in-your-face and sleek rather than too macho. With the skills of a Savile Row tailor on the car’s interior we have also achieved that bespoke, fitted feel, both inside and out.’
‘For me, the car that has always represented the pinnacle of automotive excellence and refinement is the GT – the Grand Tourer. It is not the all-out sports car, rather it is something gentlemanly, it has performance and it is for travelling, not racing. We wanted to create something that, like GQ, was aspirational, but also retained the classic automotive ideals. We didn’t want a car for the mass market. We wanted a car for GQ.’
The GQbyCITROËN is featured in the April issue of GQ out March 4th 2010. For more information visit: www.gqbycitroen.co.uk.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
MARC RAVEN 01753 843 128 marc.raven@citroen.com
JOHN HANDCOCK 01753 843 015 john.handcock@citroen.com
ANDREW FRANCIS 01753 843 126 andrew.francis@citroen.com
JEMMA CHALCROFT 01753 843 112 jemma.chalcroft@citroen.com
KATIE READ 01753 843 128 katie.read@citroen.com
FOLLOW CITROËN ON TWITTER AT: www.twitter.com/citroenuk