Citroën’s lifestyle-pitched C4 Cactus crossover will spawn an open-top sister at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
The Cactus M is a concept, inspired by the Mehari, an open-top Citroën sold between 1968 and 1988, and taking many of its styling cues from the Aircross concept that Citroën unveiled at the Shanghai show in April.
It is a completely open vehicle, with the only protection available an ‘inflatable’ roof which Citroën says can double as a tent – the seats folding down to become effectively a couch. And while there are two rows of seats there are also only two doors. While these are much longer than those of a standard Cactus (made in one-piece plastic to reduce weight), rear-seat passengers are encouraged to use built-in steps to climb over the flanks, US NASCAR style.
The M also boasts more muscular styling than the stock Cactus, giving it a more SUV, go-anywhere image – the designers saying that the overall proportions were designed to echo those of a boat. The windscreen is more upright, giving a taller stance.
Sculpted-out wheel arches house taller, narrower tyres on wheels of larger diameter.
Power for the concept comes from Citroën’s 1.2-litre petrol unit of 108bhp, though the brand is also thought to be working on electric powertrains. And while the Cactus concept won’t see production in its present form, a new Mehari is thought to be a possibility.
The new Cactus, seen on video…
