Strange, vintage, pyramidal.
There are concept cars, then there are true oddities of the automotive world. Ones that maybe never made it production, but made a big impact nonetheless.
Unveiled at the 1980 Paris Motor Show, this creation stands out as one of the most unconventional and futuristic designs ever conceived in automotive history.
From the flat, squared off sides to the enormous headlights, to the pyramid shape to the 1+2 interior, the car is anything but predictable.
Some angles of the Karin are dated and awkwardly proportioned. But other angles feel futuristic still today, 40+ years after it was originally designed.
The Karin was a brainchild of Trevor Fiore, who pushed the boundaries of design to a whole new level, challenging conventional aesthetics and functionality in vehicles.
What immediately sets the Karin apart is its unique pyramid-like, three-dimensional trapezoidal shape, a stark departure from the curves and lines typical of automotive design.
This sharp, angular body was not just a stylistic choice; it embodied a forward-thinking approach to aerodynamics and space utilization.
The car’s interior was just as revolutionary, featuring a 1+2 seating arrangement where the driver sat centrally and slightly ahead of two passengers, optimizing both space and visibility.
The Karin didn’t just stop at redefining external and internal designs. It incorporated advanced technological features for its time, including a fully digital dashboard and innovative control systems, elements that have become more common in today’s vehicles but were almost unheard of four decades ago.
We love the look of the wraparound dashboard and instrument cluster, with a wheel shape unlike anything made before or since.
Despite its groundbreaking design and technological innovations, the Citroën Karin remained a concept, never entering production.
However, its legacy endures as a symbol of visionary thinking and experimental design in the automotive industry.
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