SM TRIBUTE wins Special Jury Prize at L’argus Trophies

The SM TRIBUTE style study by DS Automobiles received the Special Jury Prize on January 21, 2025 at the 32nd edition of the L’argus Trophies held at the Docks de Paris in Aubervilliers.

The award was decided by a jury of 31 automotive professionals from a list of 10 concept cars presented during 2024.

Thierry Metroz – Director of Design at DS Automobiles was on hand to receive the award and commented;

^{The automobile is a human adventure, receiving this award surrounded by members of my team is a source of joy and pride. Being distinguished by a jury of professionals from the automotive world, this award rewards above all our commitment to perpetuating the passion, desire and audacity that must remain the driving force behind automobile creation.}

^{With SM TRIBUTE, we wanted to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the creation of DS Automobiles with this reinterpretation of the original SM, which represents the elegance and avant-gardism dear to the Brand. We are fortunate to be able to draw our inspiration from this exceptional heritage that is the SM, to nourish our reflections. This link between past and future is essential to imagine the silhouettes and identity of our models of tomorrow.}

Celebrating ten years of art and elegance by DS Automobiles and indicating future styling direction by the brand, The SM TRIBUTE was unveiled for the first time last September at the prestigious Chantilly Arts & Concours d’Elegance. A moment of emotion and fascination, the SM TRIBUTE shared the stage with its illustrious predecessor, the original SM.

The SM TRIBUTE adventure began in spring 2020, when the DS Automobiles teams unveiled a series of sketches called #SM2020 on social media. These drawings, the result of an internal competition between the designers of DS DESIGN STUDIO PARIS, reinterpreted the majestic SM of 1970. The enthusiasm generated revealed a dual message from the community: a certain attachment to the emblematic models of DS Automobiles’ heritage and a desire for something new that respects the avant-gardeism of the original design. Echoing this enthusiasm, the DS DESIGN STUDIO PARIS teams took up the challenge: to imagine an SM that has evolved, as if it had benefited from five decades of innovation.

Last September, this vision took shape with an avant-garde iteration faithful to the proportions and spirit of the original SM.

The SM TRIBUTE’s interior design also honours this heritage by reinterpreting emblematic elements such as the characteristic shape of the dashboard and the oval design of the instruments.

The SM TRIBUTE abounds with technology; an all electric drivetrain, a projection information display and a curved screen console associated with a steer-by-wire steering wheel, without mechanical connection. This marriage between tradition and avant-garde is enhanced by an immersive sound and lighting ambiance, paying homage to the spirit of comfort and technology that has always defined the SM.