Sharp as a tack, and nearly as small.
That is an installment in a collection of posts wanting again on present vehicles that we really feel deserved slightly extra consideration than they acquired. When you have a suggestion for a Forgotten Idea matter, please shoot us a line or depart a remark under.
Citroën Karin Prototype
First Seen
1980 Paris Motor Present
Description
Butterfly-door coupe design research
Designer
Trevor Fiore
Gross sales Pitch
“Highlights Citroën’s willingness to assume outdoors the field.”
Particulars
First seen on the 1980 Paris Motor Present, the Citroën Karin was purely a design research. Commissioned on the final minute, the Karin was supposed to fill a void on the present left by the model’s lack of recent merchandise.
The Karin was design by Trevor Fiore, and per Citroën demonstrated the maker’s willingness to “assume outdoors the field.” Distinctive options included top-hinged butterfly doorways, and 3-passenger seating highlighted by the middle driver’s seat.
The Karin is smaller than it seems. At 150-inches in size the idea automotive is totally 4 inches shorter than a current-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata. The Karin is 7 inches wider, nevertheless. Because it was by no means supposed for manufacturing, the Karin was not seen once more after its 1980 auto-show tour.
CG Says:
We applaud all idea vehicles that problem design norms. That stated, the Karin is just about ineffective as something however an idea. Given the automotive’s excessive bodyside slope (usually referred to by design sorts as “tumblehome”), we are able to’t picture that the facet passenger seats would accommodate even the smallest adults.
And, whereas we admire all of the glass, we expect it unlikely the Karin may ever be crash licensed. The sharp and angular styling does conjure automobiles seen in interval science-fiction motion pictures, and that’s cool with us. Query: Why cease at simply six headlights?
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Karin Idea Footage
(Click on under for enlarged pictures)