Citroën’s Adorable 2CV Is Coming Back as an EV

Few cars are as recognizable and charming as the Citroën 2CV. This adorable little automobile became a European legend thanks to its cute design, affordability, practicality, versatility, and distinctive character. And at this year’s Paris Motor Show, Citroën announced the 2CV’s return with the 2CV Concept, now expected to go into production by 2028.

Rather than imagining what the original 2CV might look like today, Citroën says its designers pictured the electric small car of the future while preserving the identity that made the original so iconic. The result is delightful. With an estimated starting price of 15,000 euros, or about $16,730 at today’s exchange rate, the 2CV Concept pairs an all-electric powertrain with a promise to stay simple, clever, and light. The French automaker didn’t disclose power and range figures, but it says it’s aiming for a weight of less than 2,200 pounds. And although most cars keep getting bigger, the new 2CV will be shorter than the last production model. It’s expected to measure just 148 inches long-about 5 inches shorter than the Fiat 500e.

The whole design is charming, retro, and unmistakably 2CV. Round headlights with arched LED accents peek out from the sculpted bodywork, while pronounced fenders give the front end a bubbly, cheerful character-a trick French automakers have long done so well. The pronounced wheel arches make room for 19-inch steel wheels with white caps, wrapped in Michelin tires. The car’s high beltline makes the windows look tiny, but the cutest profile detail might be the little door handles that pay tribute to the simple handles on the original 2CV. At the back, a black tailgate contrasts with the Infra Red exterior. Slim LED lights sit at the sides, adding to the retro-meets-modern look, and even the tailgate gets an old-school handle.

Inside, the designers carried that same welcoming vibe throughout the cabin. The lack of a traditional center console and the use of slim door panels make room for bench seats in both the front and second rows, giving passengers more space to stretch out. A removable storage basket serves as the center console, then comes along for the ride when you’re packing wine and cheese for a picnic in the countryside.

With no conventional dashboard, Citroën had room to try something different. A cylinder houses the steering wheel, gear selector, and square 8-inch touchscreen, and a detachable speaker sits in front of the passenger. The driver information display is tucked between the dashboard and windshield, and a fabric roof lets you drive with the top on or off. Instead of ordinary cabin lights, designers added string lights around the roof for an extra sprinkle of charm.

The interior doesn’t pretend to be luxurious, but it offers the same convenience and versatility as the original. Straps serve as the interior door handles, and cheerful shades of yellow give the cabin an energetic feel.

There’s pretty much no chance we’ll see the 2CV in America, but we’re still glad Citroën is bringing it back. If this is how Europeans plan to compete with Chinese automakers, we’re all for it. We think drivers in Europe will like it, too-especially at the stated price. We don’t expect its driving range to be phenomenal, but with stricter regulations on internal combustion vehicles and shorter distances between destinations, the 2CV could be a hit in the Old World.