Citroën представляет новый 2CV с электроприводом и ретро-элегантностью
The original success of the Citroën 2CV was not due to clever marketing or particularly appealing design. It was the versatility, simplicity, and above all, the solution-oriented approach to the everyday challenges of many people. This is where Citroën's new electric concept car, as a reinterpretation of the 2CV, also comes in. It is less about nostalgia and more about returning to the essential things people need to enjoy driving cars in today's world.
Image: Citroën
The possibilities for electric mobility are becoming more diverse with each passing day. An increasing number of electric vehicles, tailored to a wide range of requirements, are entering the market, while developers continue to introduce new functions, gimmicks and purported aids to stand out from what has already been done. Citroën, however, has taken a closer look at this “already been done” and concluded that it may not be necessary to move away from it at all.
For this reason, the manufacturer unveiled the Citroën 2CV Concept at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. The iconic “Ente” (Duck) is making a comeback and is arguably more relevant today than ever: a microcar with a pragmatic specification designed to simplify everyday life with minimal fuss and a touch of positivity. How does the Duck achieve this? Citroën has developed the 2CV Concept to avoid incorporating every possible feature available today. Instead, it includes only what truly delivers tangible and visible added value.
Xavier Chardon, CEO of Citroën, describes the thinking behind the concept as follows: “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 Citroën.”
On the outside, the lines and many small details evoke the 1948 original without being entirely lost in retro design. The free-standing headlights, subtly flared fenders and vertical creases on the bonnet and tailgate are just some of the lovingly integrated homages to the Duck.
Through the radical elimination of unnecessary functions, the new production 2CV is expected to weigh just around one tonne. The folding roof also contributes to weight reduction, bringing the concept visually very close to the original. The weight savings are intended to lower operating costs and enable the use of smaller batteries for a practical range.
Despite its simplicity, Citroën has also developed a new tyre monitoring system with Michelin. The “universal digital tyre twin” is a virtual computer model that calculates the current condition of the tyre — such as pressure, temperature and wear — in real time. Based on this data, the car detects environmental conditions and automatically adjusts the driver assistance systems to the respective situation. This system also monitors the condition of the small electric car’s tyres.
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The interior is so minimalist that it is easy to maintain an overview. Instead of a sea of screens and an overloaded multifunction steering wheel, there are levers, switches and a small 8-inch central touchscreen with rotary controls. The cockpit display is projected into the driver’s line of sight. A basket in the centre between the driver and passenger serves as a storage compartment and, like the retro-style radio, is removable. In a nod to the historic specification — which included the safe transport of eggs across a bumpy field — there are also egg holders in the doors.
The continuous bench seat in the front row can also be detached with a few simple steps and used outside the vehicle. There is also a bench seat in the second row. How much space will be available across the bench seat in the production version remains to be seen, as the concept car, at 3.76 metres long, is even shorter than the original 2CV. This positions the vehicle between the Ami and C3 in the future, not just in terms of dimensions but also in terms of price. Citroën is aiming for a starting price of around €15,000. The production model is expected to arrive by 2028 and will comply with EU electric car regulations (also known as the M1E category). This means it must be produced in Europe and cannot exceed 4.20 metres in length. Unfortunately, the 2CV Concept Car does not yet provide any technical specifications.