Citroen will debut Mehari-inspired concept

FRANKFURT -- Citroen will preview a potential new model inspired by its iconic Mehari utility vehicle at the Frankfurt auto show next month. The concept will be based on the C4 Cactus compact.

In a statement, Citroen said the concept was a "fresh and invigorating" version of the C4 Cactus that "revisits the spirit of the legendary Mehari.”

Citroen CEO Linda Jackson told Automotive News Europe in June that the company was mulling a revival of the open-top Mehari sold between 1968 and 1987.

Jackson has previously said that the C4 Cactus will influence future models in the brand's lineup. The distinctive car, which went on sale last year, has underlined Citroen's intent to be the fun brand in PSA/Peugeot-Citroen's lineup.

Citroen built 150,000 Meharis. It was bought by holidaymakers as a beach buggy and by farmers who used it to get around their fields. The Mehari was also used by the French army, which found its thermoplastic body made it light enough to drop by parachute from an airplane.

The original Mehari was based on the 2CV, another iconic Citroen car, but the brand has ruled out reviving this model.

Citroen's Frankfurt concept could preview an electric Mehari EV built alongside the Bollore Bluesummer convertible electric car.

Autocar reported that Citroen recently applied for the trademark on the e-Mehari name, suggesting the car could have an electric or hybrid powertrain.

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen will start building next month the Bluesummer at its factory in Rennes, western France.

Vincent Bollore, who heads the Bollore industrial group that developed the Bluesummer, has previously talked about the vehicle as a "beach car" in the vein of Mehari.

The Bluesummer will cost less than 20,000 euros and will be sold through Citroen dealerships.