Citroen Reveal Their Brand-New 2CV

At this year’s long-awaited Paris Motor Show, Citroen has shocked and delighted the crowds with a brand-new 2CV concept, intended to arrive in showrooms by the end of 2028.

The Citroen 2CV (Deux Chevaux in French) democratised transport after World War Two, with high wheel arches, a high enough roof to keep your hat on while driving, and soft enough suspension to transport a tray of duck eggs safely; it became a French icon almost immediately. The 2CV was cheap, simple and reliable, so much so that you occasionally catch one pottering around the roads today – but you may be seeing more of them soon…

This tiny concept car calls back to the original in a delightfully charming way. The iconic indented bonnet, tall roof and rounded headlights make up the unmistakable silhouette of its predecessor, and when paired with the exaggerated wheel arches, the front end retains that iconic face millions have come to know and love.

At only 3.76m long, even shorter than the original, the car maintains the compact, cheap and cheerful nature it was known for. The interior is reduced to the bare essentials, maximising space and only including the technology needed by drivers. In place of an instrument cluster, a black bar sits under the windscreen to display key information in the driver’s eyeline, such as speed and warnings – similar to BMW’s Panoramic Vision concept.

The single-spoke steering wheel is certainly an eyecatcher – and yet another direct reference to the original 2CV – however, it may be outshone by the bright and cheerful upholstered doors and yellow tartan fabric bench seating. Alongside the steering wheel sits a single control lever, a paddle-shift gear selector and a square, eight-inch touchscreen, with graphics inspired by comic books.

Of course, a 2CV would not be complete without a fabric sunroof – additionally, the radio doubles as a detachable speaker, so you can take your music out and about with you at the end of your journey. Amongst other easter eggs are a rabbit graphic on the accelerator pedal and a tortoise on the brake, along with actual egg storage space in the doors.

While all of these exact, colourful features may not make it to the final road car, other cute and unique elements such as the hanging lanterns and wicker bin between the seats may be available as additional accessories.

With Citroen’s French competitor Renault leading the charge on the retro revival, and the European Commission agreeing to work on a new class of vehicles for small EVs, there is a chance these retro-inspired electric hatches will become more commonplace on UK roads, and further drive competition for cheaper electric mobility. 

Citroen’s plans don’t stop with the 2CV car; they have also presented a refreshed version of the 2CV Fourgonnette – yet another iconic French workhorse in the form of a light commercial vehicle.

With no technical specifications revealed for the 2CV yet, all we know is that Citroen is aiming for a compact size, a one-tonne weight limit and a price from as little as £12,700.

In the meantime, you can view the rest of the current Citroen range right here at Vertu.