citroën’s multipurpose ELO concept car doubles as outdoor camp

Citroën’s multipurpose ELO concept car can supply power

Citroën presents the multipurpose ELO concept car, which doubles as a temporary camp with inflatable mattresses and a power generator. The electric automobile can become a resting place, as the two beds stored in the rear area can be inflated using the compressed air that is already part of the car system. These mattresses fill the space to create a bed for two people, allowing the passengers to lie down after a long drive. Since the rear roof can open, they can also look at the sky at night, accompanied by the glow of the side lamps that can be transformed into bedside lights. Citroën’s multipurpose ELO concept car can also serve as an outdoor home cinema using the small projector attached inside the car that lets the travelers watch a movie on a pull-out screen.

As a temporary camp, the vehicle supports play and leisure, as it includes hooks on the four doors where a large awning can attach to create a covered outdoor area. The modular seats in the cabin can be removed to be outdoor chairs, and the design team, which teams up with Decathlon, makes bags and storage solutions within the vehicle for sports equipment. There’s a built-in compressor that can inflate paddleboards, bike tires, or other accessories, and a V2L power system makes it possible to charge gadgets and plug in devices like speakers. If the passengers bring their appliances, they can also power them up with this supply, allowing them to prepare meals on the road.

all images courtesy of Citroën

Workstation inside electric vehicle for remote workers

Inside Citroën’s multipurpose ELO concept car, the design team opts for a modular and spacious cabin to make the vehicle ready for different functions. The second row has three seats of equal width, all of which can fold, and they can also be removed and used as chairs outside the vehicle as mentioned. Two hidden seats are stored under the side seats, which can be unfolded when the car needs to drive around six people. Even when all six seats are used, the car manufacturer says that the automobile can still keep some space in the back for luggage. The driver sits in the center at the front instead of the usual left or right side to give them a wide view through the large windscreen.

The steering wheel has a spoke and a wide opening, which makes it easy to see information, and there is no normal dashboard because all digital information is projected on a transparent surface across the windscreen. Two joystick-style buttons on the wheel control the main functions on the supposed dashboard, which are both within the reach of the driver’s thumbs. Citroën’s multipurpose ELO concept car supports remote working as well because the driver’s seat rotates fully to face the back in case the driver needs to have their own workstation. Then, a foldable work table is stored under the central second-row seat, which can carry a laptop or papers, and if the passengers have forgotten their laptop, they can use the screen projection system as a platform for video calls. Even the wheel arches hold devices like phones or headphones to let users work in many places without needing a normal office.

rear view of the vehicle

Cabin Materials that can repel water and wear

Citroën also studies how to use materials that fit responsible production for the multipurpose ELO concept car. Some surfaces are made from expanded polypropylene, which is light and recyclable and is the same material used in bicycle helmets. The design team uses felt made from leftover fabrics and parts from another Citroën project, shaping the storage boxes inside. Then, the seat covers in the second row resist water and wear, so they’re easy to clean after outdoor activities. The exterior shape of the vehicle is simple and clear.

Large windows bring more light inside, and the doors open wide and have no center pillar to allow for easier access in and out of the vehicle. The bumpers at the front and back are the same piece to reduce the number of parts. Flat areas above each wheel can hold small objects when the car is stopped. While still a concept car, Citroën says that its multipurpose vehicle ELO is a study for new mobility, which can show how one automobile can support movement, rest, play, and work at once while being compact, functional, and lifestyle centered.

Citroën presents the multipurpose ELO concept car, which can double as a temporary camp