Citroën's OLI Concept Triumphs at 2023 CDN Awards
On December 7, 2023, the Citroën Design Team achieved remarkable recognition at the Car Design News (CDN) People Awards in London. The awards ceremony celebrated excellence in design across various aspects of the automotive design process. Citroën clinched three prestigious awards for its ground-breaking OLI concept, lauded for its innovative, sustainable, and forward-thinking design.
The Citroën Design Team received accolades in three categories: the Most Sustainable Design Team, the Best Interior Design Team, and the Best Exterior Design Team. This triumph culminated Citroën's journey at the Car Design News People Awards, which began in July when the Citroën Design Team submitted the OLI concept in three of the fifteen available categories.
The OLI concept embodies a fresh design direction for Citroën, strongly emphasising functionality. It is a versatile vehicle designed to adapt to various roles, from a family car to an urban explorer or a work companion. OLI's design prioritises efficiency through its lightweight and durable construction, featuring features like a flat bonnet, roof, and rear 'pick-up bed' panels. The vertical windscreen reduces glass usage, reducing weight and decreasing sun exposure. Identical and lightweight front doors enhance overall efficiency.
OLI also introduces Citroën's new badge, reminiscent of the 1919 logo, along with distinctive front and rear lighting modules that will gradually become part of future production models. The design seamlessly integrates form and function, offering adaptability and efficiency across diverse scenarios.
One of OLI's key objectives is to achieve a "best-in-class" life cycle assessment while presenting an innovative take on the future of electric mobility. It achieves this by incorporating recyclable materials and simplified production processes. For instance, OLI's seats are constructed with 80% fewer parts than traditional seats and are made from recycled materials. The concept tires are estimated to last up to 500,000 km throughout their life, thanks to a sustainable carcass and tread that can be renewed twice.
By reducing the number of components required for the doors and seats, Citroën simplifies production processes and reduces weight. The innovative use of responsible, lightweight, and recycled materials and a sustainable and simplified production process underscores OLI's commitment to minimising its environmental impact while catering to diverse lifestyles.
The recognition received by Citroën at the awards ceremony in London was a momentous achievement. The Citroën Design Team, represented by Pierre LECLERCQ, Citroën Design Director, Pierre SABAS, Concept Cars Designer, and Raphael DOUKHAN, Exterior Designer, proudly accepted the Most Sustainable Design Team Award, the Best Interior Design Team Award, and the Best Exterior Design Team Award.
Pierre LECLERCQ, Head of Citroën Design, expressed his delight, stating, "I am very pleased to receive these three prestigious awards for the OLI concept on behalf of the Citroën design team. This recognition testifies to the unwavering dedication and ingenuity of our design team. At Citroën, we have always been at the forefront of innovation, and these awards reaffirm our commitment to sustainable and forward-thinking design. The OLI concept showcases our vision for future mobility and our team's prowess in creating versatile and efficient vehicles."
