When Citroën innovates, others follow

The Munich Auto Show is in full swing, and as has often been the case in recent years, French manufacturers are keeping a low profile. Citroën did not make the trip to Bavaria, but that doesn't mean the brand is absent from people's minds—quite the contrary. Walking through the halls and discovering the new models on display, I couldn't help but notice that Citroën's influence and spirit of innovation are very much alive, sometimes in the most unexpected places. This is particularly true on the stands of prestigious brands like BMW and major players like Skoda, where two of their key new vehicles feature cabins that will look very familiar to enthusiasts like us. The inspiration is so clear that it deserves a closer look.

The influence of the Citroën Oli concept spreads to Munich

Back in 2022, three years ago now, Citroën unveiled the Oli concept, a true manifesto for the brand's future, advocating for simplicity, lightness, and useful innovation. One of the most striking features of this concept was undoubtedly its dashboard. Characterized by its absolute purity, it featured a completely horizontal design and a slim digital panel, called the "Smartband," that ran the full width of the car at the base of the windshield to display driving information. This approach was intended to clear the driver’s view, simplify the onboard experience, and refocus on the essentials. At the time, this bold proposal was praised for its originality. Imagine my surprise, then, to find this very same philosophy in two of the star attractions at the 2025 Munich Auto Show.

At BMW, the all-new iX3, which debuts the revolutionary "Neue Klasse" platform, reveals a spectacular interior. At the heart of this layout is the "Panoramic Vision," a widescreen display projected at the base of the windshield, complemented by a large central infotainment screen. Meanwhile, on the Skoda stand, the Vision O concept, which previews the brand's future large electric estate, presents a very similar arrangement: a clean, horizontal dashboard topped with a wide instrument display and accompanied by a central tablet. The resemblance in spirit and architecture to what Citroën proposed three years earlier with Oli is uncanny. The principle of a main display shifted to the base of the windshield for better visibility and a secondary screen for controls is replicated almost identically. A coincidence? It's hard to believe. Given that a vehicle's development cycle spans several years, it's clear that the Oli concept made a significant impression on European designers and validated an emerging trend.

A Citroën innovation already in production on the C3 and C3 Aircross

What makes this "inspiration" even more compelling is that this vision for the cockpit was not just a fleeting idea at Citroën. Far from being a mere design exercise for a concept car, this idea was adapted and democratized to become a core feature of the brand's most recent and important models: the new C3 and C3 Aircross. Called the "C-Zen Lounge," this interior layout follows the same philosophy. The dashboard, with its horizontal design and fabric-covered surfaces for a warm atmosphere, creates a sense of space and serenity.

Of course, for obvious cost reasons related to the accessible positioning of these models, the technology used is different from that of a concept or a premium BMW. The wide screen of the Oli concept is replaced here by a clever head-up display system. A glossy black strip, located between the dashboard and the windshield, reflects essential driving information. The visual result is very close to the original idea: the information is in the driver's field of view without them needing to take their eyes off the road, and the traditional instrument cluster behind the steering wheel disappears, freeing up the line of sight. This display is complemented by a 10.25-inch central touchscreen, which sits proudly in the center. The philosophy is therefore identical: separate the driving information, projected high up, from the infotainment functions, grouped on a central screen. Citroën has thus proven that a strong, innovative idea can be implemented in mass production and made accessible to everyone, long before premium manufacturers present it as a major innovation on their future models.

In conclusion, the 2025 Munich Auto Show is further proof, if any were needed, of Citroën's creative power. The brand has always been a source of inspiration for the entire automotive industry, from the Traction Avant to hydropneumatic suspension and bold designs. One might have feared that its integration into the Stellantis galaxy would stifle this disruptive capacity. However, the example of the C-Zen Lounge dashboard proves the opposite. By presenting the Oli concept in 2022, Citroën not only defined the future of its own interiors—which it has brilliantly brought to life in the C3 and C3 Aircross—but it also, quite clearly, showed the way forward for serious competitors like BMW and Skoda. Even when not physically present, the brand with the chevrons continues to make headlines and prove that audacity and innovation are still deeply embedded in its DNA.