Citroen presented a concept car that revives the 2CV name for the electric age at the Paris Motor Show. The vehicle is described as a small city runabout with retro styling that echoes the original 1948 model, and the company says it plans to have a production version in showrooms by 2028. Citroën hopes the electric 2CV will boost its EV sales in a market where it faces strong competition from Chinese manufacturers.
This image illustrates the Citroen electric 2CV concept presented at the Paris Motor Show, highlighting its retro styling that echoes the historic 2CV.
The concept retains distinctive visual cues from the historic 2CV, including high flared wheel arches, a tall curved roof and eye‑like headlights that Citroën calls reminders of the original 'deux chevaux’. Citroën’s chief executive Xavier Chardon called the car 'a modern, ingenious and refreshing response to the mobility challenges of tomorrow’, noting that the brand is using its heritage to appeal to buyers. Similar retro‑electric strategies have been adopted by Renault (with the Renault 5 E‑Tech, Renault 4 and Twingo), Volkswagen (ID‑Buzz) and Fiat (the 500).
This image demonstrates the heritage and lasting popularity of the original 2CV, which Citroen aims to evoke with its new electric version.
Analysts caution that nostalgia alone will not guarantee success. David Leggett of Global Data argues that a reimagined 2CV must also deliver credible electric functionality, simple pricing and broad appeal, while Dr Paul Nieuwenhuis points out that linking European designs to modern powertrains is something Chinese competitors cannot easily replicate because they lack a deep history. Whether the production model will keep the target price of about £13,000 and offer sufficient range remains uncertain based on the currently available information.