Citroën is reportedly in the early stages of developing a modern successor to its legendary 2CV, more than three decades after the original ceased production. Preliminary design work on the revival of the no-frills classic, credited with mobilizing post-war France, is underway. While Citroën had previously denied plans to reintroduce the 2CV, this latest move reflects a shift in strategy, spurred by the success of retro-inspired models like the Renault 5.
The Renault 5, launched with a starting price of £22,995 (around RM132,000), has been a runaway success in France, selling 9,973 units last month—1,721 more than Citroën’s new ë-C3. Its popularity has also boosted Renault’s share of the French electric car market from 16.3% to 23.2% in just one month.
Unlike the Renault 5, which imagines an evolution of its classic design, the revived 2CV is expected to closely mirror its original counterpart’s aesthetic. Citroën has already shown its appetite for retro design with the new Ami, unveiled at the 2024 Paris Motor Show. The Ami borrows design cues from the classic 2CV, such as distinctive round headlights, wing indentations, and Citroën’s historic logo.
According to Autocar, Citroën’s design chief, Pierre Leclercq, hinted at the possibility of more retro-inspired models at this year’s Brussels Motor Show. While stopping short of confirming the new 2CV, he acknowledged that the philosophy behind such models remains significant. “We’re not closing the door [on retro designs], but I think the philosophy is important,” he said.
True to its roots, the revived 2CV is expected to focus on simplicity and affordability. The original 2CV was designed as a bare-bones vehicle to bring mobility to rural post-war France. This ethos resonates today, as rising costs of energy, materials, and electric vehicles have made car ownership increasingly unattainable for many middle-class buyers.
To keep costs down, the new 2CV would likely use the Stellantis Smart Car platform, which also underpins the Citroën C3, Fiat Grande Panda, and Vauxhall Frontera. However, the 2CV could feature a pared-down version of the platform to further reduce costs, possibly omitting luxuries like hydraulic bump stops that are standard on the C3.
As for powertrains, efficiency will take precedence over performance. The new 2CV is expected to feature a small battery pack to keep costs low. Citroën CEO Thierry Koskas recently stated that battery costs account for 40% of an electric vehicle’s price, emphasizing the need for breakthroughs in battery technology to make EVs more affordable.
If development proceeds on a typical four-year cycle, the new 2CV could debut in 2028, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the original’s unveiling at the Paris Motor Show. It would also mark the next biennial staging of the show following its return in 2026. Positioned between the ultra-compact Ami and the more expensive ë-C3, the revived 2CV could serve as an affordable and nostalgic entry point for new EV buyers, bridging the gap between simplicity and modern technology.
With the market for retro-inspired EVs gaining traction, Citroën’s iconic 2CV seems poised for a timely comeback that blends its historical charm with the demands of the electric age.
