Citroen Unveils Electric 2 CV Concept for 2028 Launch

Citroen has unveiled the 2 CV Concept at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, introducing a compact electric car designed to make everyday transportation more affordable and practical. The French automaker plans to bring a production model to its lineup by 2028, targeting a starting price of approximately €15,000 and European manufacturing under forthcoming E-Car regulations.

According to Stellantis, the concept measures 3.76 meters long and targets a weight of approximately one metric ton. Its compact dimensions, simplified construction and emphasis on essential features are intended to reduce production costs, improve efficiency and make electric mobility accessible to more buyers.

The proposed vehicle will sit between Citroen's Ami and C3 models. The company has not disclosed final battery specifications, motor configuration or driving range. Top Gear suggested that a range of approximately 170 miles could suit the car's intended role, but that figure remains an estimate rather than a confirmed specification.

Citroen CEO Xavier Chardon described the project as an effort to adapt the original model's philosophy to modern transportation needs.

"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. 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, CEO of Citroen.

The original 2 CV debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 1948. Citroen says the model became an automotive icon through its affordability, practicality and ability to serve a wide range of everyday needs. The new concept seeks to preserve those qualities without reproducing the original car's design literally.

Gilles Vidal, Stellantis' design director, explained that revisiting the model required examining the purpose behind its original development and adapting that thinking to current conditions.

"Why was the original born? What was the brief, what was the context, and how does this idea make sense in the world of today?" asked Gilles Vidal, Stellantis design director.

Vidal said the engineering team had embraced the challenge of translating the concept into a feasible vehicle. He also highlighted the importance of distinctive styling as the automotive group seeks to strengthen the identities of its brands across a broad range of products.

"We need to be super sharp about what our brands stand for. They are the company's biggest asset," said Vidal.

Exterior details include floating LED headlights, an oversized double-chevron emblem and raised rear lights positioned on either side of the rear window. The hood incorporates indentations inspired by the original 2 CV, while the overall silhouette retains a rounded, compact appearance.

Vidal said the designers deliberately avoided copying the original rear lights, choosing instead to create a more contemporary treatment.

"We could have copied those lights but we decided to do something that never existed before," said Vidal.

The interior follows the same minimalist approach. Rather than using a conventional dashboard, the concept places the steering wheel, drive selector and an 8-inch touchscreen on a cylindrical base. A narrow display presents essential driving information, while a removable storage basket occupies the area typically reserved for a center console.

The concept also features a detachable portable sound system called Radioen, egg-shaped storage spaces inspired by the original car's agricultural heritage, and playful animal graphics on the accelerator and brake pedals. Its electric motor sound is designed to evoke the breezy character of the original model's flat-twin engine.

Citroen says the design also considers manufacturing efficiency and repairability. Flat body panels, direct air intakes beneath the windshield and bumpers that can be replaced independently are among the features intended to simplify production and maintenance.

The company is targeting a weight of approximately one metric ton, which could allow the production vehicle to use a smaller battery and keep costs under control. Top Gear reported that the model could draw on lower-cost lithium iron phosphate battery technology and technology from Chinese partner Leapmotor, although Citroen has not confirmed those technical details.

The planned launch comes as European automakers explore smaller electric vehicles to address affordability concerns. Citroen intends to manufacture the production model in Europe and position it as a practical option for short journeys, combining compact dimensions with a distinctive design inspired by the 1948 original.