Pyramid on Wheels: Citroën Karin's 1980s Concept Car

Weird ONES - The automotive world has always been a playground for creativity and innovation, and the 1970s to 1980s were no exception. This decade saw the birth of many unique and intriguing concept cars that pushed the boundaries of design and imagination. Among these, the Citroën Karin stood out as a striking example of the era's daring vision, despite arriving a bit late to the conceptual party compared to its contemporaries like the Aston Martin Bulldog, Lancia Stratos Zero, Lamborghini Bravo, and Jaguar Ascot.

The 1980 Citroën Karin Concept was a pure design exercise with no intention of reaching production, designed by Trevor Fiore, a newcomer to Citroën who would later replace the legendary Robert Opron. (Picture from: GQMagazine)

The Citroën Karin, unveiled at the 1980 Paris Motor Show, was a testament to the bold and unconventional ideas that characterized the period. Designed by Trevor Fiore, a newcomer to Citroën who would later replace the legendary Robert Opron, the Karin was a pure design exercise with no intention of reaching production. Its most distinctive feature was its radical 1+2 seating layout, which placed the driver in the center flanked by two passengers, a setup that emphasized the car's futuristic and avant-garde nature.

The 1980 Citroën Karin Concept was a one-off wedge of sci-fi fantasy combined with pyramid canopy, and few things before or since have harnessed the laws of trigonometry to such drastic effect. (Picture from: Autoweek)

Fiore's creation took the concept of sharp-edged, trapezoidal shapes to an extreme, building on the design language of earlier concept cars like the Aston Martin Bulldog. The Karin's angular lines and nearly flat surfaces were so sharp that they seemed almost capable of cutting paper. This small, pyramid-shaped coupe housed its engine far in the front, with a compact, glass-heavy greenhouse that led to a less aggressive rear window. The front fascia was dominated by large headlights that occupied nearly the entire width, giving the Karin a unique and somewhat alien appearance.

The 1980 Citroën Karin Concept designed by Trevor Fiore, and also capable to accommodate three occupants inside the cabin with composition of two passengers on the right and left of the driver who sits in the middle. (Picture from: Autoweek)

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Karin was its interior. The car featured a tube-shaped steering column that extended prominently from the dashboard, crowned by a signature Citroën steering wheel equipped with actual telephone buttons. All the controls were positioned around the hub of the steering column or on small pods at the three and nine o'clock positions, echoing the design of the Maserati Boomerang concept. This arrangement created an unconventional and futuristic driving experience, reinforcing the Karin's status as a design study rather than a practical vehicle.

The 1980 Citroën Karin Concept adorned with  a tube-shaped steering column that extended prominently from the dashboard, crowned by a signature Citroën steering wheel equipped with actual telephone buttons. (Picture from: TopGear)

The Karin's pyramid shape also contributed to its wide windshield, ensuring that the driver's central seating position offered unobstructed visibility. The car's unique three-occupant layout, with the driver in the middle, further emphasized its departure from traditional automotive design. Despite its futuristic appearance and innovative features, the Karin was never intended to be a production model. However, its influence could be seen in later Citroën designs, such as the XM sedan introduced a few years afterward.

The 1980 Citroën Karin Concept designed by Trevor Fiore, and also capable to accommodate three occupants inside the cabin with composition of two passengers on the right and left of the driver who sits in the middle. (Picture from: GQMagazine)

In 1981, Citroën expanded on the Karin's design language with the creation of the Xenia, an MPV concept that applied the same geometric principles in a more practical and production-friendly format. The Xenia's design hinted at the future direction of MPVs, foreshadowing models like the Renault Espace that would emerge later in the decade.

Citroën expanded on the Karin's design language in 1981 with the creation of the Xenia, an MPV concept that applied the same geometric principles in a more practical and production-friendly format. (Picture from: CarNewsDesign)

Reflecting on the Citroën Karin today, it resembles a prop from a futuristic film or a testbed for stealth technology, reminiscent of the radar-evading shapes of the F-117 Nighthawk. The inspiration for this daring concept stemmed from Citroën's need to make a bold statement at the 1980 Paris Motor Show, where they lacked a production or concept car to showcase. The Karin not only addressed this need but also left an indelible mark on the history of automotive design.

Throughout automotive history, the Citroën Karin stands as a symbol of an era that celebrated innovation and creativity. Its sharp lines and unconventional features continue to captivate enthusiasts and designers alike, reminding us of a time when the possibilities in car design seemed limitless. A similar spirit was seen in the 1993 Stealth Tech 1, built by a privateer, which also embraced bold and futuristic concepts with its unique and unconventional design. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GQMAGAZINE | AUTOWEEK | TOPGEAR | CARNEWSDESIGN ]

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