Shaping the Future: Robert Opron’s Legacy in Automotive Design
Some cars leave an unforgettable impression the first time you see them. For me, that car was the Citroën SM, which I encountered in downtown Hamburg in the mid-1980s. By then, the car was already more than a decade old, yet it immediately captivated me. I had never seen anything like it before: long, low, and exuding an almost floating elegance that set it apart from the other vehicles on the road. Its front end, with headlights hidden behind glass, the stretched yet compact proportions, and the distinctive rear design still looked futuristic.
Robert Opron and His Unmistakable Design
Today, I know that this car was the work of Robert Opron. This one creation alone secured his legacy as a designer. However, Opron shaped French automotive design far beyond this single masterpiece. He was one of the most influential car designers of the 20th century. Born on February 22, 1932, in Amiens, France, his creative vision left an indelible mark on numerous iconic vehicles. His career began at SIMCA in 1957.
Five years later, he had the opportunity to join Citroën. At the time, the automaker was still independent and owned by the Michelin family. Within two years, Robert Opron was promoted to head of the in-house design studio, succeeding Flaminio Bertoni. This was no small feat, as Bertoni had created legendary Citroën models like the Traction Avant and, of course, the DS.
The Groundbreaking Citroën Models
The first cars developed under Robert Opron's leadership at Citroën were the 1969 Citroën Ami 8 and its Wankel-engined sibling, the Citroën M35. A year later, the spectacular Citroën SM and the mid-range Citroën GS followed. By 1974, Opron had evolved the DS concept into the Citroën CX. All these vehicles shared an avant-garde design language. The large CX stood out not only for its wedge-shaped exterior but also for its innovative interior layout.
With these models, Opron demonstrated that form and function could exist in perfect harmony. When Citroën lost its independence and was taken over by Peugeot, Robert Opron decided to leave in 1975. He believed that the Citroën design philosophy would not align with the new owners' vision. He moved to Renault, then a state-owned company, where he influenced the design of models such as the Renault 9, 11, 25, and Fuego. Even at Renault, Opron continued to create futuristic yet highly functional designs.
Renault, Fiat, and the Masterpiece R25
Perhaps his most significant work at Renault was the R25. This elegant sedan featured a sleek, aerodynamic profile and a spacious interior. After a decade at Renault, Opron moved on to Fiat. There, he was responsible for the ES 30 project (Experimental Sportscar 3.0 Liter). His sketches served as the foundation for the Alfa Romeo SZ coupé and its later convertible counterpart, the RZ, both built by Zagato and unveiled in Geneva in 1989.
After six years in Italy, Robert Opron established his own design studio. Through this venture, he contributed to the styling of Ligier's small city cars. Around the turn of the millennium, he retired from the automotive industry. On March 29, 2021, Robert Opron passed away at the age of 89. His legacy lives on in the cars he designed, which continue to be admired for their artistry and innovation. Few designers have so masterfully blended automotive engineering with pure artistic vision as Robert Opron.