Citroen has been catching our eye of late with its “anti-retro” DS line, and the Tubik Concept looks likely to keep the trend rolling. Inspired by the classic H-Type delivery van, the Tubik takes an aged aesthetic and pumps it full of futuristic French élan. Yes it’s miles from a production model, and more loaded down with more conceptual details and avant-garde styling elements than a Berlin disco, but it accomplishes two basic tasks: first, it shows how well classic French design can be adapted to a fast-changing future, and second, it shows that vans do not have to be dull, utilitarian things. In this age of dull crossovers and anonymous international design, these are accomplishments worth noting. And the Tubik is a design that’s worth remembering.
Looks like the locomotive for a bullet train. Not that its a bad thing…
To me it looks like the pigs from Angry Birds.
It’s the new Citroen Pigmobile! Or in the home market, Le Camion Porceau.
Yes I’ve seen it before.
http://i39.tinypic.com/6jg21e.jpg
“Let’s call some friends and go!”
“Where are we going?”
“Does it matter?”
An excellent demonstration of the maximum volume per minimum surface area equation.
Sort of reminds me of the GM Futurliner buses.
In 1964 Ford made a prototype gas turbine truck that also looks similar. If I could figure out how to paste the picture into the comment I would, but Google images will have to suffice.
This it?
Ronnie, you found it! Very Cool. Turbine powered, too, complete with 2.9 mpg.
That thing fell out of the ugly tree and smashed its face on every branch on the way down.
One day, god willing, Citroens and Peugeots will again roam this land freely.
Not while I still draw breath, I pray.
Peugeot second biggest market is Iran. The only way they could operate in the US is if they leave Iran, i don’t see that happen.
How will they sell something that looks like a pig in a Muslim country?
If so, my father, who was unfortunate enough to own a Citroen SM, will rise up from the grave (urn?) to haunt all their dealerships.
Worst.
Car.
Ever.
It’s a Herkimer Battle Jitney!
Junk it!!!
It looks like the train in the Disney movie ‘Cars.’
‘Cars’ copyright The Disney Company. All rights reserved… (to make a sequel that sucks compared to the first movie).
Just wondering how Farago would describe that grille… heh, heh. Without using the word “flying.”
Ha!
I think this van is super freaking cool. I would however ditch the two micro headlights up front and just let the center light(?)/grille be one massive beam. It’s awesome nonetheless
Yay, now I’m getting flashbacks from The Big Bus movie.
I…eh…mmm…
Well, how do I say it? That thing certainly isn’t Jewish!
uh oh, you went there
Awesome – didn’t notice until you said it. Just awesome.
Very cool
Hello, I have to check my calendar…is it April 1st already?
Over the years Citroen has built some “unique” vehicles, but here they’ve outdone themselves and not in a positive way. It frankly looks like an Airstream trailer with a pig’s snout grafted on it. Ugly doesn’t begin to describe it.
This looks like a prop from “Children of Men.” Or maybe “Minority Report.”
It’s HK-47!
http://images.wikia.com/starwars/images/7/78/Hk47portrait.jpg
I think you’ve nailed it.
Kinda looks like a 737 molting out of it’s cocoon, or I suppose it’d be an airbus? What’s french for “ohmygodgettheshotgunpawaliensarehere!!!!!”?
While it’s risky for an xB1 owner to cast stones, that thing is ugly.
It looks like the winning 1950s futuristic auto art exhibit entry by a utopian pot-smoking college student.
instead of looking snide and squint eyed, they should have retained the original “surprised” look, as the original van is feeling stuffed with Renault Megane by its makers.
Finally! Something worth trading-in the Aztek for!
As Charlotte would squeeze out (of her tiny little butt)
“Some Pig!”
dumb and dumber?
It just needs ears.
Finally got my jaw back into position. Wow, what a snout. They need to make the antenna curly and mount it just above the rear hatch. Then paint it pink and show it to NASCAR, which would automatically make it the pace car in the “Swift Premium/Jimmy Dean Sausage 500”.
What is it about the French that gives them this tendency to create such phenomenally ugly cars?
The idea of bordello with wheels is executed in an imaginative way, but stuffing it into an attention-getting exterior defeats the purpose. A white panel van is needed.
The original H-Type van is much better looking. Its design is directly related to function. The Tubik is styled for the sake of styling.
Excatly. The Tubik design is simply preposterous. In related news: PSA seems to have money enough not only to make completely idiotic design studies but also to publish them.
What exactly is the question that this thing answers?
Enhanced commercial practicality? Hardly.
A French update of the Oskar Mayer Wienermobile to fit tiny back roads? No, too chic.
Ah yes, a 2011 paean to the Buckminster Fuller Dymaxion with wheels discreetly moved outwards, clothed in Nissan Joke semi-spatted mini fenders, the latest faux Audi grille, decontented to meet cost targets, and supersonic ramjet air intakes cunningly arranged above the windshield.
Very nice.
Pour un cochon.
I like it I think that it looks funky and cool, I think that it is made more for the passengers than the driver as the seat seems to be very closed in and set away from the other seats, mind you great if you have a personal driver!