CITROËN ELO CONCEPT CAR: SMALL IS THE NEW BIG REST PLAY WORK

• Citroën has unveiled the ELO concept car, an ideas laboratory that embodies the brand's values of innovation and creativity and brings together thinking for the future.
• Responsible, accessible, spacious and functional, ELO is following a new path that answers modern challenges positively and ingeniously.
• ELO is small but it thinks big! Compact in size, its surprisingly spacious interior and modularity makes the most of its 100% electric architecture. With a compact length of 4.10 metres, it features an interior designed as a truly modular living space, capable of accommodating up to six people.
• Fully in tune with the times, ELO is more than just a means of transport; it is designed to facilitate all aspects of life on the move: travel, but also relaxation, leisure and work. Hence the name ELO: REST, PLAY, WORK.
• Citroën has drawn on the expertise of its partners, Goodyear and Decathlon, to develop practical, technical materials committed to sustainability.
• A genuine bubble of freshness and energy, ELO will make its world debut at the Brussels Motor Show on 9 January.

Six ways ELO revolutionises driving

1. Reimagining the driver’s seat: Seating the driver centrally in ELO liberates space for passengers and removes the need to engineer and build left and right-hand drive models.
2. Built for modern life: Citroën’s research into how people really live concluded cars could play a greater role. ELO boasts handy features that make it one of the most versatile vehicles ever.
3. Saves money on parts: Features like identical bumpers front and rear means manufacturing fewer new parts. That makes ELO cheaper to build and potentially cuts insurance costs.
4. Re-purposing existing parts: By reimagining components already in use by Decathlon, Citroën could further cut ELO’s production costs and reduce its overall carbon footprint.
5. Intelligent tyres: Goodyear has come up with a driver-friendly way to show if ELO’s tyres need more air: under pressure and a red LED shines on the wheel; all’s well and it glows green.
6. Being more sustainable: By changing the treatment processes for materials such as polypropylene, Citroën can boost parts recyclability and cut its carbon output.

Poissy, 9 December 2025 – Citroën has unveiled ELO, a concept car that opens a new chapter for the brand. Following on from OLI, presented in 2022, ELO is an ideas laboratory that explores different areas to inspire Citroën's thinking for tomorrow. Bold, clever, creative and focused on well-being, it perfectly embodies Citroën's values. True to more than a century of innovation in aid of freedom of movement and easier living, Citroën is reiterating its pioneering role in an era of rapidly changing lifestyles. ELO embodies this desire to anticipate the needs of a world in motion: it is a fun, clever, accessible, spacious and responsible mode of transport, which also offers a broader and reinvented vision of mobility, designed to give back spare time and accompany its users through the different stages of their lives.

With its daring and expertise, Citroën is now exploring disruptive solutions to reinvent versatility and reinterpret the spirit of the MPVs and leisure activity vehicles that have shaped its history. By focusing on purpose-built electric vehicle architectures, the brand is freeing up new space and rethinking the interior as a proper living space that is practical, functional and accessible. This ambition is illustrated in ELO, the “little one that thinks big”, a true “tiny house” on wheels full of clever features, whose compact exterior contrasts with a surprisingly generous and ultra-modular interior, redefining on-board use and comfort.

A true living space, ELO was designed to be an everyday companion: a place to rest, play or work — REST, PLAY, WORK — thanks to its complete and intuitive modularity. It takes full advantage of a 100% electric architecture by offering a small size that conceals exceptional interior space. With its compact minivan design (4.10 m), it is at home in urban areas while also inviting you to get out and enjoy the fresh air. With its ultra-spacious and modular interior that can accommodate up to six people, it meets the demands of a fast-paced life between commuting, leisure, family activities, teleworking and impromptu getaways. With its modern, colourful and cheerful design and all the features it offers, it is a bubble of energy aimed at an active lifestyle.

With ELO, it's not the customer who adapts to the car, but the car that adapts to the customer's needs. The standard model has four seats with a centrally positioned driver's seat, which offers a new feeling of visibility with a 180° windscreen and a modern, ingenious interface, while rear passengers enjoy immense space. The driver's seat on its special mounting can be turned around for conversation or work. And if necessary, two additional seats can be deployed to carry a total of six people. ELO can also be transformed into a sleeping space for two people, a home cinema room, a power supply, and many other uses. ELO is revolutionising the world of mobility and becoming the catalyst for shared time with your partner, family and friends.

The designers have thought through every detail of this concept and have been able to convey their expertise by seeking out two partners who share their desire to get people moving and to develop technical, sustainable and responsible materials. Decathlon, whose design team contributed its expertise in sports and outdoor activities, enabled the team to come up with new features and dare to use innovative materials; and Goodyear, which developed new smart tyres for on-  and off-road use.

"ELO is a new step at a remarkable time for Citroën, marked by the complete renewal of the range in two years and our entry to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. ELO is an ideas laboratory that perfectly embodies Citroën's values and opens up perspectives on what drives our thinking today. It ticks all the boxes of what has been the brand's DNA for more than 100 years and what I want to nurture in the coming years: creative, bold, accessible, responsible, ingenious and dedicated to well-being. It is totally in tune with the times and offers concrete, innovative solutions to promote freedom of movement and a better life. Its style expresses friendliness and joie de vivre, and its ultra-modular interior is designed as a living space in its own right. It is full of clever features and simple technology to make everyday life easier. ELO sends a strong message that conveys our vision of what Citroën should be." Xavier Chardon

"We are very proud of ELO because it is the perfect expression of what design should be: combining form and function. ELO is a bubble of energy, both in terms of its colourful and endearing personality and its modernity, but also in terms of all the possibilities it offers for enjoying an intense and rich life. The Citroën Design team had a lot of fun coming up with a model designed down to the smallest detail to be practical, fun and clever. Sharing expertise with the designers at Goodyear and Decathlon was also a very stimulating part of developing this concept, thanks to the creativity and technical solutions they were able to bring to the table.” Pierre Leclercq, Citroën Style Director

In detail...

1.       Electric architecture = XXL space in a compact size

An exceptional compactness/interior volume ratio

ELO provides up to six comfortable seats in a minimal footprint of 4.10m, similar to that of ë-C3. In an era of ever-increasing size, it was a reasoned and meaningful decision to take the opposite approach and limit the space taken up by the vehicle, without compromising on interior space. From the outset, this concept was designed on a dedicated 100% electric platform, with the motor positioned on the rear axle. This architecture makes it possible to limit its size while freeing up unexpected space inside. Compact on the outside, ELO presents a surprise when the doors are opened: the ratio of exterior dimensions to interior space is unbeatable for an MPV making efficient use of every cubic centimetre while offering a modern, friendly and attractive design.

Electric, responsible, urban, capable of getting away from it all

Its small size makes it practical in its preferred urban environment, where its cheerful appearance brightens up the landscape. It is agile too, parking and manoeuvring with ease. But it’s also happy to venture outside the city for a breath of fresh air and a change of scenery. Beyond the desire to maximise space inside, the choice of an electric platform is an obvious one for promoting responsible and accessible mobility geared towards the energy transition. This choice of architecture is consistent with its intended uses, particularly around town.

1. An ingenious and unique ultra-modular living space.

A bold and unique architecture combined with exceptional modularity allows ELO to offer rarely-seen versatility.

A unique driving position

ELO takes advantage of this unique architecture to place the driver's seat in a front-central position. This novel driving position allows the driver to enjoy a new feeling at the wheel with increased visibility. This also makes getting around the car’s interior seamless thanks to its height of 1.70 m, which enables easy access and movement inside. The steering column has been moved forward as far as possible, freeing up remarkable interior space. The driver's seat rotates 360° to adapt perfectly to the different configurations available on board, whether for driving, working or interacting with other occupants.

A modern, clever and ergonomic cockpit

The ease of use inside ELO is also reflected in its instrumentation. This new concept, designed by Citroën, is based on the principle of projecting information onto a special surface. In the previous Oli concept from 2022, information and apps were projected onto the "Smartband", a wide horizontal strip at the bottom of the windscreen. In 2025, with ELO, Citroën has developed a new version of this display. The flat screens are reflected on a transparent screen equipped with a reflective film, creating a magical effect: the colourful information appears to float transparently across the entire width of the windscreen, allowing the driver to access all the information without taking their eyes off the road. This new display needs far less expensive technology in terms of development and potential production than a conventional head-up display.

The integration of a single-spoke steering wheel with a double flat section, introduced for the first time on the 1955 DS, enhances the instrumentation’s visibility with its wide opening. Comfortable to hold, it comes with two joystick-shaped buttons that allow access to and control of all the digital functions. Easy to use, it enhances the feeling of tranquillity inside.

Remarkable modularity

Row 2 offers three seats, all the same width and with folding backrests. The three rear seats are easily removable and can be used as extra outdoor seating. Two additional seats are concealed under the side seats in row 2. They unfold with a simple movement to sit slightly behind and on either side of the driver's seat. The legroom in these two additional seats is generous. In this six-seat configuration, boot space is unaffected through the ingenious modularity of the various seats. The four side doors open in opposite directions, and the absence of a centre pillar provides easy access with a width of 1.92 metres. The completely flat floor makes it easy to move around inside, regardless of the configuration chosen.

1. A bubble of energy with intelligent design

A personality that inspires happiness

ELO immediately exudes an endearing personality. Its friendly and cheerful silhouette makes it a real bubble of energy in the automotive landscape, bringing freshness and cheeriness whenever you look at it. With its "friendly face" and self-assured charm, the concept embodies a resolutely joyful and convivial vision of mobility, almost inviting you to think of it as a living being. More than just a vehicle, ELO becomes a companion, capable of bringing a smile to everyday life.

This personality is enhanced by a vibrant orange hue, which embodies the "joyful" character of the concept. The colour changes with the light, shifting from orange to red and then to yellow, creating relief, movement and dynamism. With this bold colour scheme, ELO shakes up the urban landscape, giving it a real dose of optimism.

The orange colour also prevails inside. Like every Citroën, the interior is designed as a revitalising living space, dedicated to comfort and tranquillity. The C-Zen Lounge is characterised by its architectural choices, features and materials. The interior has been designed as a space that is both welcoming and functional, making the most of its unique architecture. The driving position stands out through the absence of a dashboard, creating a unique feeling of space. In its place is a steering column that houses the entire user interface, framed by storage areas. In a nod to Citroën's history, the single-spoke steering wheel has been reinterpreted using 3D textile printing technology. The cabin’s walls feature three-dimensional storage compartments inspired by the world of sportswear, while the seats, designed to maximise modularity, feature the brand's iconic "chocolate square" pattern in their foam padding.

Function and emotion

ELO's unique silhouette reflects Citroën designers' desire to let function dictate form, resulting in a remarkably versatile vehicle.

The role of designers is to infuse a functional object with emotion, personality and desirability. ELO's unusual silhouette perfectly illustrates this vision by asserting an innovative architecture. Similar to an MPV, firmly planted on wheels pushed out to the four corners and topped with pronounced wings, it has a fluid and refined design. Its large glass surfaces visually lighten the vehicle, open up the interior to the outside and contribute greatly to in-car well-being. The highly graphic design of the glass surface, with a particularly low waistline, rises to the second row to provide exceptional brightness. With its flat or slightly curved windows, ELO also demonstrates a direct connection with the Oli concept.

The semi-rounded rear doors extend up into the roof to maximise interior light: 4.5 m² of glass bathes the cabin in light. At the rear, the boot compartment stands out with a soft, structured and elegant break in the roof. The overall purity of the volumes highlights the graphic elements, such as the arches that emphasise the wheel arches and the flat surfaces of the wings.

At the front, the light signature echoes the aesthetic introduced on the latest C5 Aircross. The vertical modules have been redesigned and are now split into two parts, showing off the badge proudly. At the bottom, a bumper identical at the front and rear, made of expanded polypropylene, offers lightweight and effective protection against minor impacts. The material also extends to the flat surface of the four wings, where it serves as an additional stand for people to put things during stops.

At the rear, the light signature also reinterprets the C5 Aircross's "Light Wings" concept, with a floating upper element. The asymmetrical double tailgate, inspired by utility vehicles and vans, has glass at the top to maximise visibility and brightness. On the roof, a large prop/stay extends to open a portion of the roof, increasing the loading height or allowing you to enjoy the starry sky in the sleeping configuration.

1. REST – PLAY – WORK: Giving back useful time

On average, a car spends nearly 95% of its time parked and unused. Bearing this in mind, ELO aims to be more than just a mode of transport to get from A to B. The world is changing, lifestyles are changing, and everything is accelerating. In a single day, we do multiple, interconnected journeys and activities. Designed to accompany each of these, ELO — for rEst, pLay, wOrk, — embodies mobility rooted in the modern era. Spacious, clever and responsible, it redefines the use of time by facilitating not only travel, but also relaxation, leisure and work. ELO thus becomes much more than a vehicle: it is a catalyst for a life in motion.

REST

ELO enables you to kill time before an appointment, wait for your children, or simply dream of being somewhere else. The in-car space is comfortable and pleasant; the seat cushions are thick and allow you to curl up on them; and the large glass surfaces provide plenty of light. The interior can also be transformed into a sleeping space for two people and even a cinema room.

ELO carries two mattresses folded into special storage compartments in the boot without having any impact on total load capacity. The mattresses are designed with Decathlon's Dropstitch material, which is inflatable and used for surfboards, kayaks and paddleboards. The two mattresses are removed from their storage compartments, unfolded and inflated using compressed air accessed via an air valve located beneath the vehicle. The Dropstitch material gives these two beds a rigidity that doesn’t need special reinforcement to keep them in position once installed in the passenger compartment, while remaining very comfortable.

When the mattresses are out, the rear light units, which are mounted inside, are transformed into bedside lamps. Into this area, ELO also incorporates mounting bases originally used to attach the fin on Decathlon paddle boards. This accessory has been repurposed to allow various objects, such as a small overhead projector, to be attached. Combined with a projection screen, this allows you to watch a film in complete relaxation, transforming ELO into a welcoming and cosy cocoon. This atmosphere can be enhanced by the large opening in the rear roof, which allows you to enjoy the starry sky to the full.

DECATHLON: We share common values with Decathlon in offering innovative, popular and functional products that aim to promote an active lifestyle and physical activity. At Decathlon, as at Citroën, design is at the heart of the user experience, developing products that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also fit for purpose and evoke emotion. Citroën's design team organised several working sessions with Decathlon's design teams in Lille, Hendaye and Sallanches, depending on the topics covered. This collaboration made it possible to rethink all areas of the vehicle from a different viewpoint, with the aim of making life easier for the user and reconsidering the definition of certain accessories and the choice and location of certain textiles. These overall considerations are reflected in the entire approach to the vehicle and the choice of innovative materials. They have infused the ELO project with a playful spirit, characterised by simplicity and ease of use. The designers have thus exploited all the storage areas according to the activities envisaged.

PLAY

Wherever you go in the ELO, it will act as your base camp, offering endless possibilities for leisure activities.

The Citroën design teams worked with Decathlon to design materials, accessories and scenarios so that this laboratory of ideas perfectly meets your outdoor leisure needs. This collaboration goes far beyond the simple design of durable accessories adapted to the vehicle. For example, the design of the boot opening has been reworked to provide a seat on the sill so you can change your shoes after a hike. Additional bags have been designed for easy storage in the front, and hooks have been added to all four doors so that an awning can be stretched out on either side of the ELO. This awning allows you to extend your outdoor experience while protecting yourself from the sun or bad weather.

The three rear seats can be taken out and once removed, be used as extra chairs outside for reading or an impromptu picnic. This is a nod to the Citroën 2CV, but also to the Quechua chairs offered  by Decathlon.

A compressor built into the car’s underbody can be used to inflate a range of accessories such as a rubber ring, a paddle or bicycle tyres, opening up a whole range of leisure activities. ELO is also equipped with V2L technology. This transforms the car and its surroundings into a base camp, with the ability to power an electric BBQ or speaker. The four flat areas on the wings, covered with the same material as the front and rear bumper guards, allow you to safely place a glass or plate on them.

WORK

Sorting photos, forwarding a personal file, connecting with others: digital technology enables us to do these anywhere. Hybrid working methods have become increasingly popular in recent years, and it is not uncommon to have to join a meeting at short notice or to make more permanent arrangements to work while on the move. Whatever you need, ELO can be transformed into a comfortable mobile office, offering a configuration that takes working to a whole new level.

The driver's seat has a cushion and backrest with different thicknesses and foam densities, adapted to different configurations. It provides the comfort and support needed for driving, while also serving as an office chair when required. It rotates 360° and an easily accessible tablet, housed under the seat of the row 2 central seat can be attached to the base. This tablet can hold a laptop, allowing you to complete your tasks easily and comfortably.

In this configuration, the instrumentation under the windscreen will adapt to relay your video conference, display your meeting schedule and manage your calls. Cleverly integrated pull-out trays equipped with cup holders on the inner edges of the front wheel arches, allow you to store items such as your phone or headphones, enhancing the feeling of being as comfortable as you would be in the office.

1. A responsible product that responds to society’s challenges

When designing ELO, in addition to retaining an electric architecture, particular attention was paid to the sustainability of materials, limiting the number of parts and weight.

All materials have been designed to meet the multiple uses intended for the ELO, while incorporating current environmental requirements. The upholstery of the second-row seat’s backrest is made from a durable, easy-to-clean material that is perfectly suited to leisure use: it is wear-resistant and can withstand water and repeated use.

The driver's seat illustrates a simplified approach designed to reduce the number of parts. ELO also features a durable, washable felt developed by the brand's Colours & Materials department and manufactured in France, near Lille. This material is made from surplus fabrics and components used on the Oli concept car introduced in 2022. Once shredded, these scraps were transformed into sheets used to manufacture the various in-car storage boxes. This eco-friendly approach is extended to the choice of interior upholstery: a plasticised material that is easy to maintain, durable and gives ELO a colourful touch.

On either side of the driver's seat is expanded polypropylene, the same material used by Decathlon for its cycle helmets. Composed of 30% recycled materials and fully recyclable, it is also used on the lower part of the bumpers. This very lightweight material is used on the flat surfaces of the four wings. This protection, identical in shape and composition, is also found on the rear bumper, a choice that limits the number of body parts and helps to reduce the vehicle's weight.

GOODYEAR: this collaboration has become a regular feature of Citroën's concepts: the 19_19 centenary concept car, the autonomous urban mobility concepts presented in 2020 with the Eagle 360 multidirectional tyre equipped with eight on-board motors, and in 2022, the Oli concept car with the Eagle GO smart tyre.

ELO is designed for leisure and outdoor activities. It continues the partnership with Goodyear and is the fourth CITROËN concept car to feature smart tyres. Whatever the terrain, they are suitable for both everyday use and occasional off-road excursions.

These smart tyres measure pressure and wear in real time, all monitored via a specially designed app. An LED built into the wheel indicates whether the tyre is at the correct pressure (green LED) or under pressure (red LED). Its design features a tread pattern that optimises range and low rolling resistance. A second part of this tread, symbolised by the orange-coloured rubber offering more grip, embodies the duality of this tyre, which enables passengers to do the many activities made possible by ELO.

The rim looks classic but its design, which extends onto the tyre for a beautiful sense of consistency, features a groundbreaking design. Its graphics are not based on a multi-spoke design, but on a hexagonal honeycomb structure, which improves aerodynamics by being very smooth.