Citroën C10: The Ultralight and Aerodynamic Concept from the Late 50s, Ancestor of the Modern Minivan

The C10, a visionary Citroën prototype from 1956, stood out for its pioneering aerodynamics (Cd of 0.258), its ultralight aluminum construction, and its efficient interior packaging.

Citroën has always been synonymous with models featuring rather original and innovative shapes. Many of them have gone down in history. We can highlight the mythical 2CV or the legendary DS. These cars featured pioneering technical solutions in addition to their iconic design. For instance, the DS itself was equipped with hydropneumatic suspension.

Thus, in the late 1950s, the French brand unveiled the C10 Concept. This vehicle was an avant-garde concept that anticipated design and efficiency ideas.

Record Aerodynamics and Aluminum Construction

The C10 measured 3.84 meters long, 1.40 meters high, and only 1.55 meters wide. This vehicle had very aerodynamic shapes inspired by the world of aeronautics. Consequently, its aerodynamic coefficient (Cd) of only 0.258 was nearly a record for the 1950s. This value is considered very low even by current standards. Many modern electric cars feature a coefficient of around 0.20-0.22.

However, aerodynamics was not the only talent of the Citroën. The C10 strongly committed to light weight. In fact, on the scale, the prototype weighed only 382 kg. This figure was impressive. It was achieved thanks to an aluminum body and an extremely minimalist interior.

Compact, Spartan, and Functional

Despite its small exterior size, the Citroën could comfortably seat four adults. Inside, the design was spartan. The two bench seats were not equipped with headrests or seat belts. Likewise, the instrumentation was reduced to a minimum. It only had a tiny dial indicating the engine’s revolutions.

The C10 was based on the 2CV mechanics. With this engine, it could reach a maximum speed of 110 km/h. Unfortunately, the C10 did not become a production model. Nevertheless, some of its solutions made their way into later models of the French brand. For example, the hydropneumatic suspension was implemented in production vehicles.