• Concept plays with the idea of a future minivan
• Six seats fit inside a vehicle not much larger than a Mini
• Swivel seats, inflatable beds and a projection screen all feature

No, it has nothing to do with the Electric Light Orchestra, because Citroen’s playful concept that shares the same acronym is less about experimental rock music from the 1970s and more about cramming an entire extended family into a tiny EV.

The radical electric concept from the French manufacturer is designed to make us rethink our approach to multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), minivans and people carriers, suggesting that something with the footprint of an average hatchback can double-up as a capable people-mover.

Citroen says it would be based on a dedicated electric platform, with the motor positioned on the rear axle and the interior designed to make “efficient use of every cubic centimeter”.

As a result, the driver’s seat is uniquely positioned dead center, like a McLaren F1, with its designers stating that the steering wheel has been moved forward as far as possible to maximize interior roominess.

This also gives an extra-wide field-of-view out of the windscreen and allows the driver to spin around when parked and chat with passengers. It could also indicate greater levels of autonomous driving are on the way.

In order to squeeze six people onboard, Citroen has devised some clever concealed seats that fold away when not in use or flank the driver when required.

Behind these is a fairly standard three-seat bench, although each passenger gets a dedicated pew, rather than the unlucky one in the middle having to put up with a slither of fabric.

Sleep on it

Taking the concept of extensive interior roominess to the max, the ELO carries two mattresses folded in dedicated storage compartments in the boot. These inflatable beds have been made in conjunction with French sports shop Decathlon and inflate like a stand-up paddle board via an onboard compressor.

Once fully inflated, they suspend from the ceiling and reside over the folded rear bench for a comfortable night’s sleep.

As you’ve probably noticed, the concept is very orange, which Citroen says “embodies the joyful character of the concept”, although the hue shifts from orange to yellow depending on the light.

Inside, there’s even more orange, with fabrics fashioned from recycled sportswear (thanks Decathlon), as well as a projection screen to beam movies when camped up.

The driver’s chair also features a small desk, so it can double-up as the ultimate mobile-office for managing those multiple social media accounts. Hashtag vanlife.

Side doors that slide open in the opposite direction of one another allow for simple ingress and egress, even with such a small exterior footprint, while the large glasshouse means the interior is flooded with light.

It’s slightly zany and lots of the elements will likely get lost should this car ever make it into production, but Citroen is serious about small cars that offer clever interior solutions.

The company’s CEO, Xavier Chardon, says the ELO is “totally in tune with the times and offers concrete, innovative solutions to promote freedom of movement and a better life”. We say, build it!

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Leon has been navigating a world where automotive and tech collide for almost 20 years, reporting on everything from in-car entertainment to robotised manufacturing plants. Currently, EVs are the focus of his attentions, but give it a few years and it will be electric vertical take-off and landing craft. Outside of work hours, he can be found tinkering with distinctly analogue motorcycles, because electric motors are no replacement for an old Honda inline four.