What do you get if you cross a car with a gentleman’s magazine? It may not be a question you’ve often asked yourself, but the answer was revealed last night as the GQbyCitroen.
The chosen venue for the unveil was central London’s swanky Hospital Club - where Garlick and myself lurked, feeling rather out of place among the fashionistas (one of whom appeared to be wearing a bow-tie and rather too-short slacks).
As the name of the concept rather implies, the concept is a collaboration between GQ magazine and, er, Citroen. It might sound like a bit of PR spin - and let’s be honest that’s all it is - but credit must go to GQ and Citroen for actually creating a pukka, well-resolved concept.
It would have been all too easy for the project simply to become a 'limited edition' production Citroen with a smattering of GQ badges. Instead, the Citroen team, led by DS3 creator Mark Lloyd, have come up with a sleek, bespoke GT concept.
Visually, the car takes a lot from current Citroen design cues, especially the recent GTbyCitroen supercar concept. The four-seat fastback coupe has essentially a three-door bodystyle, but incorporates a Mini Clubman-style rear-hinged rear passenger door on one side. Think of it as a 21st-century take on a Citroen SM crossed with a coupe version of a C5 and you’ll be somewhere close.
Unfortunately things are a little less desirable under the bonnet. Although the concept is a non-runner (and there are no plans to make it so), the GQbyCitroen is notionally powered by that most fashionable of drivetrains - the plug-in hybrid. In this case it’s a (conceptual) 1,598cc, 4-cylinder direct-injection petrol engine driving the front wheels allied with an electric motor driving the rears. At least it’ll get to 60mph in just 4.5ses, on the way to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.
"Where this car works so well with GQ is that it fits with the current attitudes of conspicuous consumption," says Mark Lloyd. "It is understated rather than in-your-face and sleek rather than too macho. With the skills of a Savile Row tailor on the car’s interior we have also achieved that bespoke, fitted feel, both inside and out."
Oh yes, we forget - the interior has been 'done' by swish Savile Row tailors, E.Tautz, who say: "Savile Row is all about balance and Tautz's simple military inspired interior is the perfect counterpoint to the Gallic flair of the exterior." Quite how they’ve managed to trim the interior of a static concept that doesn’t actually have one, we’re not sure… What we think they mean is that the interior has been designed and trimmed by E Tautz, if not actually made…
We have only one question: if this is the ultimate gentleman's drive, what are Aston Bentley, Rolls or Jaguar?