Citroen and Lacoste's closeknit collaboration

There's no sign of the crocodile motif, but the concept car pictured here is intended to recapture the spirit of Lacoste, the famed French fashion brand.

Designed and built by Citroen for the upcoming Paris motor show, the Lacoste concept reflects the fashion brand's laid-back lifestyle image, according to press material released by Citroen.

Powered by a three-cylinder petrol engine, the car features an open cockpit layout with a windscreen that will actually retract into the cowling. The Citroen Lacoste measures 3.45m in length, 2.3m in wheelbase, 1.8m wide and 1.52m high.

Designed for optimum storage and practicality, the Lacoste can be outfitted with different sports equipment to match the owner's recreational theme for any given weekend -- including tennis racquets, golf clubs, skis, a surfboard and a bike.

The T-shaped structure that links the windscreen to the rear of the car is the mounting point for an inflatable hood to protect occupants from the weather. Citroen designers have gone for a driving position described as 'naïve' and 'minimalist', with a two-spoke steering wheel that swings away to facilitate entry and oversized pixels in a driver information display running across a strip on the dashboard. The retro-tech look harks back to early video games.

Maintaining the link with the apparel designer, the concept car's seatbelt anchorage points are termed 'necklines' and the seat trim is a strong cotton that recalls the ribbed hems of Lacoste's clothing.

In an example of what Citroen calls 'visual purity', the headlights and tail lights are partly concealed behind the bodywork, only fully visible once they're switched on.

If the Citroen Lacoste is at the fun and frivolous end of the form/function spectrum, the C-ZERO is holding down the other end.

Citroen's version of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV will also go on display in Paris. As reported in July, the battery/electric i-MiEV will be badged and sold in Europe as the C-Zero and the Peugeot iOn.

From the conclusion of the Paris show, it's just a brief wait for delivery of the C-Zero -- due to arrive in Euro dealer premises before the end of the year.

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