Jeremy Clarkson once remarked that when the French and the Italians get together and cook, the results are wonderful, but when they come together to build a car, "Run. Run for your life." He was actually referring to the Maserati Merak, built under Citro n's watch. To capitalize on the Italian brand's prestige, the French company stuffed a Maserati mill into a DS, changed the styling around a bit, and presto-voila: the Citro n SM.
Related:
Mon Dieu! Chevaux! Vintage Citroen Ads [Internal]