top of page
Writer's pictureStory Cars

1981 Citroën Xenia by Coggiola

The Citroën Xenia was a concept car built in 1981 by Coggiola. The fashion in the early eighties was for motor manufacturers to display scale models of concept cars rather than vehicles that could be driven, and Citroën was no exception. Trevor Fiore was responsible for the "break monocorps" Xenia. Fiore envisaged it as a GT for the year 2000; the concept was not developed any further.


Throughout the eighties, Citroën turned down the idea of a single volume car, notwithstanding the success enjoyed by the Renault Espace. Indeed, PSA turned down the idea when Matra first showed them the idea, based on a BX platform.


The four-passenger Xenia was designed for the American market. The Xenia was also safely-designed with clean lines and loads of glass, with a straight body line set over the car's 168-inch length and 40-inch height. At the rear, the taillights were placed very low on the rear bumper, under the large glass hatch incorporating the car's name in large letters. The windshield was extended down onto the cowl line for increased visibility. Also continuing this theme were side windows continuing downward. Solar battery cells at the windshield base produced energy for the entertainment system and comfort features when the car wasn't running.


All four pear-shaped seats were divided by a central transmission tunnel. All instruments were only visible to the driver due to curved control panels behind the steering wheel and concealed the information from all passengers. Radio and ventilation controls were placed on the central transmission tunnel between the two front seas. The flat dashboard allowed items to be placed neatly. The steering wheel also sat in front of various square buttons in a telephone-like arrangement, controlling the car's entertainment center and vital functions. Rear occupants used the entertainment center, which included a video game system at the end of the transmission tunnel, an intercom, and a telephone.


Source: Citroën Xenia | Classic Cars Wiki | Fandom. https://classiccars.fandom.com/wiki/Citro%C3%ABn_Xenia

Images: Concept Car Central; Mario Buonocunto Concept Cars Page



Most Recent

bottom of page