CITROËN 2 CV CONCEPT: TIME 2 MEET AGAIN

• At the 2026 Paris Motor Show, Citroën is reviving an icon by unveiling the 2 CV Concept, a modern, ingenious and refreshing response to the mobility challenges of tomorrow
• Inspired by the spirit of the original, this concept represents the core values that have always defined the 2CV – affordability, lightness, practicality, versatility and a distinctive character unrivalled on the road
• With a compact length of 3.76 metres, this concept embodies freedom of movement, ease of use and affordable electric mobility
• Clever and appealing, its design incorporates all the hallmarks and charm of the original 2CV, reinterpreted in a contemporary version that pays numerous tributes to its predecessor
• Its spectacular and colourful interior remains true to the lifestyle embodied by this iconic model, being spacious, comfortable and connected
• The 2 CV Concept demonstrates the vision for a model that the brand will unveil within the next two years; manufactured in Europe, it aims for a starting price of around €15,000 and will comply with future E-Car regulations

Some cars define an era. Others stand the test of time. Rarely has a model embodied a universal vision of freedom as powerfully as the Citroën 2CV. Today, the Chevrons brand draws inspiration from this legend to present a radically contemporary interpretation, unveiled at the 2026 Paris Motor Show –  the 2 CV Concept.  Electric, minimalist, affordable, compact and ingenious, this concept brings the spirit of the 2CV up to speed with today’s challenges and heralds a future model set to join the Citroën range by 2028. A model with a distinctive, fresh and cheerful style, whose ambition will be to rekindle the magic of electric mobility.

Xavier Chardon, Citroën CEO, said “Reinventing the 2CV 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.”

To get straight to the point…

Reinventing the idea behind the success of 2CV

The starting point was not to recreate 2CV, but to imagine the small electric car of the future – practical and desirable – which would make everyday short journeys exciting again. 2CV is a source of inspiration. Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 1948, it met a set of pragmatic specifications. It was not intended to become an icon, it became iconic because of what it made possible: working, travelling, going almost anywhere and enjoying life to the fullest.

Since then, the world has changed, but the idea remains the same. Redefining a sensible set of specifications that focus on essential needs and eliminate the superfluous to offer greater freedom. Inspired by the original, yet free from nostalgia, to offer a new take on electric mobility, making it fun, affordable and more human. It’s not about replicating the past, it’s about reinventing the idea that made it a success.

The spirit of 2CV meets the challenges of electric mobility

To bring about a new generation of small electric cars, in line with the new European E-Car regulations, the 2 CV Concept is positioned between the Ami and the C3, offering greater freedom of movement without compromising on character.

It is a model manufactured in Europe, with a target starting price of around 15,000 euros, to help make electric mobility accessible to as many people as possible. 2 CV Concept takes an approach that goes against the grain of a market where cars are becoming ever larger, heavier, more sophisticated and more expensive: to be simple and clever, lighter and more efficient. The aim is to offer practical, desirable and affordable cars.

At 3.76 m, the 2 CV Concept is shorter than the original 2CV.. This is a deliberate choice to recapture the pleasure and agility of small cars, whilst making driving and parking easier. Agile, easy to live with and full of personality, it breathes new life into a long-neglected category. Whether it’s the city 2 CV or the country 2 CV: it adapts to all terrains.

2 CV Concept has a controlled weight aiming for one tonne because less mass means a smaller, more cost-effective battery, with a range tailored for everyday use and low running costs. Innovation isn’t always about adding features; it’s also about simplifying. 2 CV Concept features design choices that take into account mass production and ease of repair. This includes flat surfaces and direct air intakes beneath the windscreen, and bumpers that are separated from the bodywork and replaceable independently.

Simple does not mean ordinary. Getting behind the wheel of the 2 CV Concept means tackling your daily journeys with a smile. The 2 CV Concept embodies modernity through its styling, its on-board comfort and all the practical features for everyday use, reimagined in the spirit of the 2CV to make life easier for its occupants.

The 2 CV Concept adopts a philosophy which its partner Michelin has developed - the ‘universal tyre digital twin’ – an innovation that enables the vehicle to adapt its behaviour to its environment by continuously monitoring the condition of the tyres.

A design that blends heritage with renewal

The design challenge was to create a dialogue between heritage and innovation: to preserve the essence of a model whose silhouette and interior are instantly recognisable, without succumbing to a static sense of nostalgia. To breathe new life into an icon, not by copying it, but by reinventing its design language to ensure it is fully rooted in the present day.

It features an instantly recognisable silhouette, with the unique proportions and curves of the 2CV, reinterpreted through tauter lines and generous volumes to convey greater energy.

The front has round headlamps set apart from the bodywork, an expressive LED signature, a sculpted, sweeping bonnet, TPV-inspired creases, integrated air intakes and exposed windscreen wipers. The sides are vertical with a curved and flowing roof, rounded wings and taut flanks. There are also contoured door handles, tapered indicators on the C-pillar, 19-inch steel wheels inspired by the 2CV, and Michelin tyres bearing the Heritage logo and the Citroën chevrons. At the rear, the 2 CV Concept features a distinctive roofline accentuated by a black tailgate extending down to the bumper, LED lights on either side of the tailgate, three horizontal stripes, a short overhang, a visible tailgate handle and a number plate displaying different country’s nicknames for 2CV.

The interior as a way of life

Inside, the 2 CV Concept captures the spirit of the 2CV in a comfortable, bright, warm and welcoming environment. The design opens up the space and leaves more room for passengers. There is not a traditional dashboard, while recessed door panels, wide and inviting seats featuring Citroën Advanced Comfort® technology, and a pull-out front seat to turn a break into a truly relaxing experience.

2 CV Concept has an airy interior where every element has its place - from a removable storage basket in place of the centre console, to door handles made from soft straps, and solutions designed with practicality in mind. In place of the dashboard is a cylinder to which the following are attached: a single-spoke steering wheel, a single control lever, a paddle-shift gear selector and a Citroën Smart Vision display which prioritises essential information within the driver’s field of vision. There is an 8-inch square ‘phygital’ touchscreen, with graphics inspired by comic books and a “Radioën” (detachable radio) that doubles as a speaker and accompanies occupants both inside and outside the vehicle. The 2 CV Concept also has a fabric sunroof, which brings in light, a sense of openness and a feeling of escape.

On board, nothing is superfluous; everything is intuitive. Technology supports the user’s needs without being intrusive, prioritising the pleasure of travelling comfortably and with peace of mind.

Colours and materials that set the tone: a burst of energy

The 2 CV Concept plays with a palette of bright, warm colours to convey optimism and vitality.

The Infra Red exterior, derived from an orange base with yellow and red highlights, adds intensity. While inside, an iconic 2CV motif has been reimagined in tartan and covers the seats in zesty shades of yellow for an energising interior. Hints of beige, reminiscent of Bakelite, can be found on the steering wheel, the controls, the instrument panel and the seat piping. On the floor, the dashboard and door panels feature a textured fabric inspired by cane and wickerwork. There is a basket combining wood and bio-based plastic, produced using 3D printing, and wood around the ‘Radioën’ unit. It also features light grey steel wheels which are accented with yellow ‘colour clips’ bearing the 2CV inscription.

All the nods to the past, to forge a connection

The design of the 2 CV Concept is also evident in a host of details as a way of forging a close connection with its heritage.

The sound of the horn and the electric motor when starting up echoes that of the 2CV. Heart-shaped stickers evoke the model’s popularity. The numbers 48 / 90 / 26 inscribed on the windscreen refer to 1948, the year of its launch; 1990, the end of production; and 2026, the unveiling of the concept. The Michelin tyres feature an exclusive chevron pattern, whilst the number plate displays the various nicknames given to the 2CV around the world. The pedals feature a tortoise for the brake and a rabbit for the accelerator: a playful nod to the freedom to slow down or speed up. Even the door storage compartments, designed to hold eggs, pay homage to the original specifications and the practical ingenuity of the 2CV.

With the 2 CV Concept, Citroën isn’t content merely to look in the rear-view mirror to revive the past: it is reinventing an idea that has lost none of its relevance. A more accessible, lighter and more essential electric car that puts freedom and pleasure back at the heart of mobility. A new 2CV, faithful to the spirit of the original but resolutely focused on the uses and challenges of tomorrow. An icon cannot be copied, it must be reinvented.

ENDS

UK Contact:

STEVE FAHEY

Head of Public relations

steven.fahey@stellantis.com

TEL +44(0)7748 704219

TIM MARSHALL

Public relations MANAGER

TIMOTHY.MARSHALL1@STELLANTIS.COM

TEL +44(0)7774 017600

About Citroën

Since 1919, Citroën has been creating automobiles, technologies, and mobility solutions to respond to changes in society. A brand of boldness and innovation, Citroën places peace of mind and well-being at the heart of its customer experience, and offers a wide range of models, from the distinctive Ami, an electric mobility object designed for the city, to saloons, SUVs, and commercial vehicles, most of which are available in electric or rechargeable hybrid versions. A pioneer brand in the services and attention paid to its private and professional customers, Citroën is present in 101 countries and has a network of 6,200 points of sale and service throughout the world.