Citroën SM Espace: A One-of-a-Kind Vision That Stayed a Dream

Dreambound Innovation - On warm summer drives or breezy coastal routes, there’s a certain kind of car that doesn’t just take you places—it turns the journey itself into a spectacle. While most of us are familiar with Citroën for its quirky economy cars and boundary-pushing engineering, there was a moment in time when the French automaker dared to blend avant-garde design with grand touring elegance. This moment was called the Citroën SM, and for a brief, brilliant flash, it became something even bolder: the Citroën SM Espace.

The Citroën SM Espace, shown here in its first prototype form, featured a bold, architectural roof system with dual slatted panels that slid sideways into a central spine—an inventive departure from traditional targa or convertible designs. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

Back in the early 1970s, Citroën was riding high on its reputation for innovation, but it was still missing something to compete in the luxury performance market. The solution came in the form of an unlikely partnership—Citroën acquired Maserati in 1968 and promptly commissioned the Italian marque to develop a brand-new V6 engine. The result was the Citroën SM, a car that mixed futuristic French engineering with Italian muscle in the most unusual and exciting way.

The Citroën SM Espace, shown here in its first prototype form, was built by Henri Heuliez in 1971, finished in Aubergine Métallisé, and served purely as the original concept, never intended for private use. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

From the outside, the SM looked like something out of a sci-fi dream, with sweeping lines, covered headlights that turned with the steering, and a teardrop shape that made it one of the most aerodynamic cars of its era. Underneath, it was just as radical. The SM featured Citroën’s signature hydro-pneumatic suspension, which allowed it to glide over rough roads like butter on a hot pan, and it came equipped with self-leveling features and high-tech braking systems that were far ahead of their time.  

The Citroën SM Espace, shown here in its first prototype form, featured a suede-like interior in a striking white and green combination—an unmistakable nod to 1970s fashion. (Picture from: CitroenVie)

It was a two-door fastback, built for long-distance comfort and high-speed stability—an elegant grand tourer with just the right touch of eccentricity. But the SM's story didn’t end there. While Citroën stuck to a single body style, independent coachbuilders began to reimagine the SM into something even more special. The most extraordinary version came from Heuliez, a French firm known for building bespoke convertibles and station wagons.

The Citroën SM Espace, shown here in its first prototype form, was adorned with a Miura-inspired louvered rear window that gave it a bold and performance-oriented presence. (Picture from: Autoevolution)

In 1971, Heuliez unveiled a concept that took the SM to an entirely new dimension—the SM Espace. Unlike any car on the road, the Espace featured a wild, almost architectural roof system. Instead of a typical targa or convertible design, Heuliez developed a dual-section sliding roof composed of slatted panels that retracted sideways into a central spine. This ingenious design allowed the car to open up dramatically, offering an airy, open-top experience without sacrificing structural rigidity—an elegant engineering feat that preserved the SM’s renowned ride comfort and sharp handling. The result was a vehicle that felt sleek, inventive, and almost theatrical in its presence and performance. | oUujRbkpsKU |

Just two SM Espaces were ever built, each with its own distinct personality and design evolution. The first prototype, finished in Aubergine Métallisé, featured a suede-like interior in a striking white and green combination—an unmistakable nod to 1970s fashion. Chrome-plated trim, a full rear sail panel, and a Miura-inspired louvered rear window gave it a bold, performance-oriented presence. This version served as the original concept and was never intended for private use. 

The Citroën SM Espace, shown here in its second prototype form, was built by Henri Heuliez in 1971 for his personal use, finished in his favorite metallic blue. (Picture from: Artcurial)

The second example was built specifically for Henri Heuliez and painted in his signature metallic blue. It featured a more refined interior trimmed in standard brown leather and introduced a major visual shift with a large, uninterrupted expanse of rear glass, lending it a more open and futuristic look. While Citroën briefly considered moving the SM Espace into limited production, the idea never materialized—leaving these two one-off creations as the only physical expressions of this daring vision.

The Citroën SM Espace, shown here in its second prototype form, featured a sculpted rear seat layout with rich brown leather and a fold-down armrest, blending comfort and 1970s elegance. (Picture from: Artcurial)

Despite being a rare sight, the Espace didn’t fade into obscurity. In 2023, after spending decades tucked away in storage, one of the two examples reemerged, turning heads at the prestigious Villa d’Este event. With its deep Aubergine Metallic paint, green velour-accented interior, and signature louvered rear window, it was nothing short of a rolling art piece. 

The Citroën SM Espace, shown here in its second prototype form, introduced a dramatic visual change with a large, seamless rear glass section that gave the car a more open, airy, and distinctly futuristic appearance. (Picture from: Artcurial)

Under the hood still purred the Maserati-built 2.7-liter V6, delivering 168 horsepower in a smooth, refined package. While the original SM only lasted until 1975, with around 13,000 units made, its influence carried on. The technologies it introduced would later find homes in other Citroëns, like the CX, and its Maserati engine lived on in several Italian sports cars throughout the '70s and '80s. | xyERejWpciI |

But among all the variants and evolutions, the SM Espace stands as the rarest, boldest interpretation of an already groundbreaking car. It’s not just a Citroën. It’s not just a Maserati-powered GT. It’s an idea, a concept car made real—twice. And even now, decades later, it still captures imaginations, proving that when design and engineering take risks together, magic can happen. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CITROENVIE | ARTCURIAL | SUPERCARS.NET | AUTOEVOLUTION ]

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