Few road cars of the early 1970s attempted what the Citroën SM achieved as standard: a twin-cam Maserati V6 under the bonnet, self-levelling hydropneumatic suspension at all four corners, and coachwork penned by Robert Opron that looked a decade ahead of its contemporaries. Produced from 1970 to 1975, the SM occupies a singular position in post-war European automotive history — a genuine grand tourer built from the combined engineering cultures of two storied marques. Norev's 1:12 die-cast captures the 1972 Series 1 car in Grey Metallic, one of the period factory colour options.
A Grand Tourer Built on Two Engineering Traditions
Citroën acquired Maserati in 1968, and the SM was the most direct product of that partnership. Its 2670 cc V6 — DOHC, four carburettors — gave the SM genuine long-distance pace, while Citroën's hydropneumatic system delivered self-levelling ride height and power-assisted steering of a precision rarely matched at the time. The body was shaped to minimise aerodynamic drag, placing the SM among the most aerodynamically resolved production saloons of its era.
Robert Opron, European Car of the Year, and a Metallic Palette
Opron's brief was to push Citroën's aeronautical vocabulary further than the DS had taken it. The SM's long, low nose, steeply raked screen and integrated rear treatment were the result. The car was awarded European Car of the Year in 1971 — the year before this 1972 model year — confirming critical as well as public reception. Grey Metallic sat naturally against that futuristic coachwork: metallic finishes were popular factory choices on the SM and reinforced the aircraft-inspired aesthetic Opron had pursued throughout the design process.
Norev's 1:12 Scale Model Car in Die-Cast
Norev is a French manufacturer with deep-rooted connections to Citroën subject matter, making it a natural fit for this reproduction. The 1:12 format is notable for the SM: the scale is rarely applied to this model. Die-cast construction at this scale allows for surface detail — panel shutlines, the twin headlamp pods behind the glass, the distinctive five-spoke alloys — to read clearly without the fragility of resin. The Grey Metallic finish corresponds to a period-correct factory colour option.
Placing It in the Cabinet
The SM's dual identity — French engineering philosophy, Italian engine lineage — makes it a compelling centrepiece within any collection focused on the era. The 1:12 format commands its own shelf space and reads as a centrepiece rather than a supporting piece, suited to collectors who treat large-format die-cast as the primary display tier.
Frequently asked questions
What engine did the Citroën SM use?
A Maserati-sourced 2670 cc V6 with twin overhead camshafts and four carburettors. Citroën acquired Maserati in 1968, and the SM was the first road car to use the resulting engine partnership.
Why is the 1:12 scale significant for the SM?
The SM is far more commonly reproduced in smaller scales. A 1:12 die-cast is a larger-format piece and is rarely produced for this subject, making it a less common format within SM model collections.
Who designed the body of the Citroën SM?
Robert Opron, Citroën's chief designer at the time. Opron developed the SM's aerodynamic coachwork as a progression of the DS's form language, and the car won the European Car of the Year award in 1971.
Who makes this 1:12 model?
Norev, a French die-cast manufacturer with a long history of producing Citroën models. The model is die-cast metal and represents the 1972 Series 1 SM in Grey Metallic.
