Citroën Méhari
| Citroën Méhari | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Citroën |
| Production | 1968—1988 |
| Assembly |
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| Designer | Roland de La Poype |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Off-road compact SUV (J) |
| Body style | 2-door cabriolet SUV |
| Layout | Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Platform | Citroën 2CV platform |
| Related |
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| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 602 cc flat-2 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94.5 in) |
| Length | 3,520 mm (138.6 in) |
| Width | 1,530 mm (60.2 in) |
| Height | 1,640 mm (64.6 in) |
| Curb weight | 570 kg (1,256.6 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Citroën E-Méhari |
The Citroën Méhari was an off-road compact SUV produced by the French car maker Citroën, a variant of the Citroën 2CV. 144,953 Méharis were built between the car's French launch in May 1968 and 1988 when production ceased. A méhari is a type of fast-running dromedary camel, which can be used for racing or transport. A méhariste was a French Armée d'Afrique and Army of the Levant cavalryman that used these camels.
The Méhari was based on the Citroën Dyane 6, and had a body made of ABS plastic with a soft top. It also employed the 602 cc flat twin petrol engine shared with the 2CV6 and Citroën Ami. This is similar to the way the mechanical parts of the 1960 Mini became the 1964 Mini Moke.
A four-wheel drive version of the Méhari was produced from 1980 to 1983 and had excellent off-road qualities, due to the lightness of the vehicle.
The standard Méhari weighs 535 kg (1,179 lb) and has the interconnected fully independent long-travel 2CV suspension used by all of the Citroën 'A-Series' vehicles.
The Méhari was designed by French World War II fighter ace Count Roland de la Poype, who headed the French company SEAP - Société d'Etudes et d'Applications des Plastiques. This company was already a supplier to Citroën, and SEAP developed a working concept of the car before presenting it to its client.
The Méhari ended production in 1988 with no replacement. This left a gap in the market, that others have tried to address.
The Teihol company, which had been building the recently defunct Renault Rodeo, created the Tangara using 2CV mechanicals, with bolt on pre-dyed GRP panels. It also created a Citroën AX-based model. The company ceased operations in 1990.
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