FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Citroen reveals Cactus M concept

Citroen has revealed its spiritual successor to the 1960s Méhari ahead of its official unveil at the Frankfurt motor show in a couple of weeks’ time.

Called the Cactus M, the new concept is described as an “open air crossover” with “go-anywhere looks”.

Measuring the same length and height as the standard Cactus, the M Concept also has the same length wheelbase but, thanks to wider wheel-arches, is fractionally wider at 1.77 metres.

Based on the regular Cactus, the M concept boasts a wooden-clad more upright windscreen plus a rear rollover bar and gets a raised body and two lightweight frameless (and windowless) doors that feature a larger version of the Cactus’ Airbump impact-absorbing doors.

Another fun/frustrating touch for rear passengers is, instead of featuring folding front driver and passenger seats, there’s built-in hollowed-out steps for rear passengers to climb into the rear seats.

Boasting a vibrant, floral wrapped dash and seats it’s difficult to miss the M concept’s interior. Inspired by the world of surfing, hence the branded roof-mounted surfboard, the interior is also made of waterproof neoprene waterproof and salt-resistant materials.

Despite being designed as an “open-air vehicle” Citroen has created a fabric roof for the M concept that lives in the boot and has to be fitted by hand before being inflated using a compressor.

Unusually, the same roof can also be inflated to create an automotive bivouac for two people and even a free-standing tent.

Under the bonnet, instead of a new hybrid or pure-electric powertrain, the Citroen is fitted with the 96kW 1.2-litre turbo-petrol 110 PureTech engine mated with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Instead of four-wheel drive the concept comes with Citroen’s front-drive Grip Control system matched with ESC to maximise traction off road.