Citroen Revives the 2CV as an Affordable Electric Car

Citroen has unveiled an electric concept inspired by its iconic 2CV at the Paris Motor Show, aiming to bring affordable electric mobility to European drivers. The French automaker plans to introduce a production version in 2028, with a target price of €15,000 (£12,750), as it seeks to strengthen its position against increasingly competitive Chinese manufacturers.

According to reporting by BBC, Autocar, and Top Gear, the proposed model combines the original car's distinctive styling with a compact electric platform. Citroen is targeting a length of 3.76 meters and a weight of approximately 1,000 kilograms, positioning the vehicle among the smaller electric cars expected to reach the European market.

The concept is intended to preview a production model rather than a vehicle already approved for sale. Its final specifications, including battery capacity, driving range, and equipment, have not been fully confirmed.

Citroen CEO Xavier Chardon described the project as "a modern, ingenious and refreshing response to the mobility challenges of tomorrow".

The original 2CV debuted in 1948 to provide inexpensive, practical transportation for French farmers and rural communities recovering from World War II. Its soft suspension, high wheel arches, spacious roofline, and straightforward mechanical design made it suitable for rough roads and relatively easy to repair.

The car remained in production for more than 40 years, eventually becoming a cultural icon beyond its original agricultural purpose. Citroen is now drawing on that history to give its electric successor a recognizable identity in a market increasingly crowded with new models.

Chief designer Antoine Gaillot-Drevon said the modern vehicle is intended to serve contemporary rural workers, including nurses who need affordable transportation. The design team also considered how to preserve the original car's character without simply reproducing its appearance.

Gaillot-Drevon explained the team's approach to the project: "We tried a lot of different proportions, a lot of different platforms and sizes. We had a lot of questions in terms of how big it should be, how small it should be, how retro we should go, and we decided to take inspiration from [2CV precursor] the TPV. It's crazy how radical they went just before the Second World War, and we wanted to have this mindset when we designed the new 2CV: to be simple, to be honest and to have a nice piece of engineering."

He also linked the project to the broader mood surrounding the launch: "when you see the situation in the world, everyone needs a smile on their face".

Gaillot-Drevon said the company considered a flat-gray finish inspired by the 1937 TPV prototype before choosing a more colorful direction. The interior is intended to feel bright and welcoming while retaining a simple layout.

Explaining the decision to build on the company's history, Gaillot-Drevon said: "You can't buy history,".

He continued: "They are brand-new, so the only thing they can offer is a cheaper price - but emotion is something you need."

Gaillot-Drevon also emphasized the importance of Citroen's heritage: "Citroen is one of the most collected brands in the world and we have to be proud of our heritage, where we come from, and use this knowledge that we have."

The concept retains a rounded roofline, prominent wheel arches, and distinctive headlights, while introducing contemporary lighting and a redesigned front end. Stellantis design director Gilles Vidal, who previously worked on Renault's modernized heritage models, contributed to the design process.

Gaillot-Drevon described the challenge of shaping the front of the vehicle: "When Vidal joined the company, he said the first thing you do is make the headlamps bigger and bring them inboard, and automatically the car had much more character - that friendly face,".

He added: "The front is most important, but since the beginning we knew we wanted to have a V-shaped bonnet with the headlamps sticking out. That's it - you don't need more."

The designer said the company wanted to avoid promising performance that the small vehicle would not deliver. "Our goal was not to give a promise that we can't deliver. No, it's not a car that says you're going to drive fast or have a super-long range. It's just a car for daily life that brings a lot of joy, to make people smile," he said.

The interior includes a compact infotainment screen, a simplified instrument display, and removable storage features. Other details reference the original model, including egg-shaped door storage, while the concept's lighting and bodywork give the car a contemporary appearance.

Vidal said the exterior design deliberately moves beyond a direct reproduction of the original: "We could have copied those lights but we decided to do something that never existed before,".

He continued: "Which actually makes the car super modern."

The revived 2CV is part of a broader industry effort to make electric vehicles more appealing through familiar designs. Renault has introduced modern electric interpretations of the Renault 5 and Renault 4, while its upcoming Twingo also draws on an earlier model. Volkswagen's ID. Buzz similarly recalls the company's classic Transporter vans.

According to BBC reporting, Autocar's senior editor Rachel Burgess sees the approach as a way for established automakers to distinguish themselves from newer competitors. "It's a brilliant differentiator from all-new car brands", she says. "An older audience might remember the originals and feel warmly towards them, and a younger audience might find an appeal in the retro aspect."

Automotive editor David Leggett of Global Data highlighted the competitive pressure facing established European manufacturers. "Many in the industry believe the big automotive players in Europe…face a very serious existential threat from aggressive Chinese manufacturers," he said.

Automotive researcher and author Dr Paul Nieuwenhuis argued that historical identity could help European brands stand out as Chinese electric vehicles expand across the region. "In a world where a wave of credible decent quality Chinese EVs are hitting Europe, linking European designs back to their history while using the latest powertrain technology is something the Chinese cannot do," he said.

Nieuwenhuis added: "The Chinese can establish new design trends, but there is limited history there."

Leggett cautioned that heritage alone would not guarantee commercial success. "A reimagined Citroen 2CV should give a big nod to its ancestor - especially on price and design simplicity as well as visual cues," he said.

He added that the vehicle would also need to meet modern buyers' expectations: "But it also needs to be a credible modern electric car in terms of functionality and features, with widespread appeal."

The proposed €15,000 price would place the electric 2CV among the lower-priced vehicles in its segment if Citroen achieves its target. Autocar reported that the company is developing a separate electric platform for the model rather than using the platform underpinning the current C3, with the project designed around affordability and a relatively low vehicle weight.

For comparison, Autocar reported that the entry-level Citroen e-C3 Urban Range uses a 30-kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate battery and has a stated range of 130 miles. The electric Renault Twingo uses a 28-kilowatt-hour battery with a reported range of 157 miles. Citroen has not confirmed equivalent figures for the new 2CV.

The project also coincides with proposed European Union regulations intended to encourage the development and sale of smaller, more affordable electric cars. The concept remains under development, with production targeted for 2028, eight decades after the original 2CV's 1948 launch.