1986 Citroen Eole

Revealed at the Geneva motor show in 1986, the Eole was designed entirely by computer, bypassing the normal stages of such a car’s creation.

Geoffrey Matthews who came to Citroën from PSA-owned Chrysler UK did the original drawings from which the computer worked.

Eole was based on a CX platform and achieved a CD factor of 0,17 - approximately half that of the CX thanks to fully enclosed wheels.

The car was fitted with no roll, active suspension that automatically lowered the ride height at speed. Following these trials, the decision was taken to equip the CX successor with an active system.

www.citroenet.org.uk

Characterized by covered wheels and large headlights, the Eole was designed as an aerodynamic estate car capable of seating four people in comfort. Hydraulics linked to the steering system allowed the wheel covers to open outward when the front wheels were turning. At high speeds when steering was minimal and short, the covers remained closed. The windows featured a small portion which could be lowered and raised independently from the larger fixed section. The large side view mirrors obstructed aerodynamics. The interior featured a transmission tunnel separating the four seats. The tunnel was fitted with a computer, video game console, television, and stereo system for use with all passengers. The transmission was engaged via tactile identification buttons. Controls and buttons were placed on either pods on both sides of the steering wheel, or on a flat panel also housing the compact disc player. More unique was the partially-glass roof, with clear visibility over the front passengers. The Eole was also equipped with Citroen's hydropneumatic suspension which automatically adjusted to load levels. Based on the Citroen XM. the Eole ran entirely on computers.

Concept Car Central

The EOLE was conceived at a time that Citroen had no new products to offer at international auto shows. I convinced the Direction to allow us to do a concept car which would be completely developed using automated processes so that it did not interfere with the production designs our modelers were building. The surfaces were developed full size in the computer and then the body was milled on a 5 axis milling machine. I believe it was the first car presented in public to be done this way. The initial theme was created by Geoff Matthew. Marketing did not like the car because it looked too much like a Citroen, it was their goal to kill the aesthetic traditions of the marque. It had a Cd of 0.19. The front wheel covers operated off the car’s hydraulic system. The interior was constructed in the standard way. I received a patent for the audio/ visual system which was an electric track running through the central console that permitted the radio/CD/ tape player to be placed in multiple locations and to be used outside the car. The seats were cantilevered off the center console.

INTERIOR FEATURES: secondary controls move with steering wheel for constant ergonomic relationship. adjustable instrument binnacle, integral video game on front passenger side, uncluttered floor, ergonomic controls on center console, storage boxes on door uppers, armrests move with seats for constant ergonomic relationship.

olsen-designs.com