Citroen Reveals Electric 2 CV Concept for Under 15000 Euros

Citroen has unveiled a modern electric interpretation of its iconic 2 CV at the Paris Motor Show, previewing an affordable production car expected within two years. The French automaker targets a price below €15,000, equivalent to around £12,700, and a vehicle weight of approximately 1000kg.

The concept measures 3.76 meters long, making it slightly shorter than the original 2 CV, which remained in production for more than five decades. Its design combines a wider, lower stance with traditional styling elements, including round headlights, while adapting the model for electric mobility.

Citroen has not disclosed the battery capacity, driving range, or other detailed technical specifications. However, the targeted weight suggests an emphasis on reducing mass, which could allow the production vehicle to use a smaller battery pack while maintaining a practical range.

The original 2 CV weighed approximately 500–600kg, according to the source report. Although the new concept is substantially heavier, its 1000kg target remains relatively low for a modern electric vehicle.

Inside, Citroen has retained several distinctive elements associated with the original car's practical and unconventional character. The cabin features a bench-style front seat, a retractable fabric sunroof, and a removable storage basket in place of a conventional center console.

Fabric with a cane- and wickerwork-inspired pattern reinforces the concept's traditional design theme. The round brake and accelerator pedals carry tortoise and hare emblems, while lantern-style lighting surrounds the retractable roof.

The interior also incorporates modern equipment, including a small digital instrument cluster above the steering wheel and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. Both displays use comic book-inspired graphics, and a detachable radio replaces a conventional integrated sound system.

Citroen CEO Xavier Chardon said the project focuses on preserving the original model's defining qualities rather than reproducing its historical design exactly.

"Reinventing the 2 CV isn't about replicating a car from the past; it's about reinventing what made it unique: its simplicity, its accessibility and the freedom it offered," said Xavier Chardon, Citroen CEO.

Chardon described the concept as an effort to bring those principles into contemporary electric transportation. The company aims to make electric mobility simpler and more accessible while retaining the character associated with the original model.

"With the 2 CV Concept, we're bringing that spirit into today's world to make electric mobility simpler, more human and more desirable. The world has changed. But the idea remains the same: to make life more beautiful with Citroen," said Xavier Chardon, Citroen CEO.

The production model will be developed under recently announced European E-Car regulations covering affordable electric vehicles shorter than 4.2 meters. Citroen plans to manufacture the vehicle in Europe and launch it within two years of the concept's unveiling.