Car designers often look outside the automotive sphere -- drawing inspiration from architecture, haute couture and even gadgets such as iPods -- but the latest concept from Citroen takes the theme a step further.

Pictured alongside is the GQbyCitroen, a concept car born through a partnership between men's mag GQ and a team of Citroen designers. Their objective? To create the "ultimate gentleman's car". 

The design study was conceived in response to a brief by GQ's UK editor, Dylan Jones, and the project was headed by Mark Lloyd, the designer responsible for the new DS3.

The aim, according to its creators, was to take a fresh look at the GT theme and integrate it with Citroen's contemporary design language. The end result is a voluptuous coupe with pseudo-shooting-brake proportions.

The nose is distinguished by Citroen's now-trademark twin-chevron grille, while the sensuously flared fenders are stuffed with a fat wheel/tyre combo. The rump is no less distinctive, featuring a concave rear windscreen and pentagon-shaped tailpipes.

The Mini Clubman-esque rear coach doors are said to make for easier access to the Savile Rowe-tailored cabin, which is replete with garish-coloured trim and a futuristic design theme.

Propulsion is provided by a plug-in Hybrid drivetrain that pairs a 1.6-litre four-cylinder direct injection petrol engine with electric power. Citroen quotes a brisk 0-100km/h split of 4.5sec and v-max of 250km/h, yet it emits just 80g/km of CO2.

Elaborating on his design rationale, Lloyd said: "Where this car works so well with GQ is that it fits with the current attitudes of conspicuous consumption. It is understated rather than in-your-face and sleek rather than too macho.

"With the skills of a Savile Row tailor on the car's interior we have also achieved that bespoke, fitted feel, both inside and out."

"For me, the car that has always represented the pinnacle of automotive excellence and refinement is the GT -- the Grand Tourer. It is not the all-out sports car, rather it is something gentlemanly, it has performance and it is for travelling, not racing."
 
GQ editor Jones added: "I wanted something practical, something cool, and something idiosyncratic -- i.e. something surprising that didn't just look like a concept car.  The GQ car needed to have the 'want' factor, but it also needed to look, feel and 'drive' like the sort of car no sane man could choose to ignore."

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