A Car of the Future from 1989 (10 Photos)
The Chausson P.E.R.L.E. debuted at the 1989 Geneva Motor Show. Known primarily for manufacturing coachwork, radiators, and buses, the French firm built the experimental minivan to showcase its capabilities to mainstream automakers. 
The Chausson P.E.R.L.E. in the Renault collection.
A scale model had been unveiled two years earlier in Frankfurt, but by the time it reached Geneva, the project had evolved into a fully realized vehicle complete with a finished interior and a four-cylinder engine borrowed from a Renault 11. Chausson designed and engineered the concept entirely in-house. 
The minivan's sleek, aerodynamic body. 
Rear view.
A sweeping panoramic windshield flows almost seamlessly into the roofline. The side doors slide forward, while inside, the dashboard sweeps smoothly down into the center console. It features a single-spoke steering wheel and a cabin finished in light tones with green accents. 
Panoramic glass cabin. 
The cockpit and center console. 
Single-spoke steering wheel and instrument cluster. 
Front passenger area. 
Front seat.
The concept car even made a brief cameo in Wim Wenders' sci-fi film Until the End of the World. However, the P.E.R.L.E. never made it into production. 
Rear seats.
In December 2025, the vehicle—sourced directly from the Renault collection—was sold at an Artcurial auction for €16,254. The catalog listed it as a non-running prototype that cannot be registered for road use. 
The concept name on the bodywork.
Photos: Peter Singhof/ Artcurial.
