With its latest charismatic concept creation, Citroen is attempting to channel the spirit of the much loved Mehari, its utilitarian soft-top off-roading truck that was a huge cult hit in the 1970s and '80s.

And, on first glance, the Cactus M Concept may well have succeeded. Based on the equally quirky real-world Citroen C4 Cactus crossover, the vehicle that the company will be taking to Frankfurt as its centerpiece showcar on September 15 shares the same purposeful yet playful styling cues and proportions but has done away with two of the four doors and, more importantly, the roof.

What's left is a completely open-air four seater crossover but one with a brightly patterned neoprene dashboard and cabin covering so no matter what the weather conditions, the seats, if not the passengers, should stay dry.

Like the original Range Rover, the cabin has been dressed in wetsuit material so that it can be abused and ignored and then hosed down with water when the fun is over. There's even a drainage port in the floor to let the water, mud and sand run out.

The original Mehari, which itself was a stripped back version of the iconic 2CV, was so popular and well-loved because it was so uncluttered and clear in purpose. It was built as a vehicle for having fun and for heading off the beaten track and if the dark clouds lifted, the canvas roof could be unfastened and done away with completely. It also had a simple four-wheel drive system so wasn't easily flustered.

The Cactus M Concept attempts to bring those values into the 21st century. For instance, rear passengers get to their seats by climbing up the side of the car via an integrated step -- just like jumping into the back of a pickup. It also boasts a clever but simple-to-use grip and traction control system with four modes.

For those that want to sleep under the stars, the rear seats fold flat into the trunk to create a bed and if the weather really does take a turn for the worse, there is an inflatable roof stored under the floor which once lifted into position, inflates into place via an integrated air compressor and three air-filled tubular supports.

Even when the roof is completely off, the rear pillar behind the rear passengers remains but has been reimagined as a surfboard rack.

And while it is just a concept car, there is every chance that a soft-top take on the existing C4 Cactus is in the works and that many ideas on display could make it on to an eventual production model.