Citroen cars have never been known for their dynamics in particular, so finding a tuned example can be tricky. Nonetheless, this particular 50-year-old SM coupe from the recently concluded Concorso d’Eleganza Villa D’Este isn’t just some tuned ride – it is the planet’s fastest.
The car was originally envisioned as a record breaker by its first owner in the 1980s. It even had a dedicated, style-matched pickup truck to haul it around between the speed runs. The truck isn’t around anymore, but the car is still in good condition and ready to go past 200 mph (322 km/h).
To this end, it ditches the stock six-pot rated at around 200 horsepower (150 kilowatts) and instead uses a custom twin-turbo engine pumping out 537 PS (530 hp / 403 kW) to the wheels. It is also much lighter than stock thanks to a stripped cabin with only a roll cage in the back.
If you are wondering about the brake parachute in the back, that’s because one of the first runs of this SM coupe saw it hit 202 miles per hour (325 km/h) in a straight line, netting it the title of the world’s fastest-going Citroen.
Watch the video for a closer look at the car and a sample of its engine sound.
