In an attempt to help the brand get a new ‘fun’ image, Citroens CEO Linda Jackson has hinted that they may be reviving the classic Mehari in concept form more than 3 decades after its production stopped.
For those of us old enough to remember, the Mehari was a lightweight utility car based on the original 2CV, with a plastic body and a canvas roof that was first produced in the 1960’s. Over 7000 of these versatile cars were produced for the French army and a small number were also used by Irish Defence forces and American forces.
Between 1968 and 1987, around 150,000 units were sold as the fun and quirky Mehari was popular with customers from all walks of life, from farmers loading produce to holiday goers using theirs as a beach buggy.
Citroen seem keen to bring back some of the Mehari’s spirit in the form of a ‘fresh and invigorative’ take on the Cactus that is likely to adopt some of its notable features.
Although no details have been confirmed, the new Mehari-Cactus love child will be even more eye catching than the current Cactus and will more than likely feature a canvas roof like the original as well as an optional waterproof plastic hard top, as the original also had. As a modern take, consumers should think compact, light body and small three-cylinder engines offering an exciting vehicle with an even more enjoyable price tag.
Jackson states that the new outlook for the brand is to put a smile on customer’s faces and create vehicles that are practical but exciting. If they get the go-ahead, production is likely to commence following the feedback from the concept which is believed to be debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year.
Interested in a Citroen Cactus? Take a look at our full Citroen range here or come and visit one of our Howards Citroen retailers in Taunton and Weston-super-Mare.
Image credits; Art Konovalov / Shutterstock.com