Citroën Osée

The Osée was commissioned to mark Citroën’s re-entry into distinctive design territory. Pininfarina sculpted a pure-bred two-seater with no roof or top mechanism, emphasizing lightweight construction and dramatic visuals. Its first and only public appearance came at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show, where it drew crowds alongside the marque’s upcoming production models.

The 4.15-metre-long wedge adopts a cab-forward stance and large glass surfaces, capped by upwards-swinging gull-wing doors. Inside, an asymmetric dashboard wraps around the driver, and a single central spoke guides the square-rim steering wheel—a clear Citroën signature of the period.

Built on a lightweight tubular frame, the Osée accommodates a mid-mounted powertrain—though exact engine details were withheld. At just 4 150 mm bumper-to-bumper, the concept is only slightly longer than a contemporary compact hatch, yet its wide track and minimal overhangs exaggerate an athletic footprint.

Although never slated for production, the Osée’s crisp surfacing and floating rear light bar influenced later Citroën show cars such as the C-Airdream (2002) and elements found in the C4 coupé C-pillar treatment. It remains a static exhibit in Citroën’s Conservatoire collection, symbolising early-2000s optimism in French concept-car craft.