Fiat set the pattern with the 500, and Renault followed with the latest Twingo. Today, Citroën wants to participate in the revival of the retro city car with a modern version of one of the most recognizable cars in France: the 2CV.
Affectionately nicknamed the “Canard” or “La Deuche” in France, the 2CV is making its comeback at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. And judging by the concept, Citroën is not simply looking to copy the original.
Citroën’s goal was to create a small electric vehicle that was practical and inexpensive, but still special to drive. The production car would be located between the Petite Ami and the C3 in the Citroën range.
Smaller than the original 2CV
Photo by: Citroën
Despite its modern technology, the 2CV Concept is actually smaller than the original. It measures approximately 147.6 inches (3.7 meters) long, compared to the original 2CV’s approximately 151.2 inches (3.8 meters).
Citroën says keeping the dimensions compact was intentional. The idea was to bring back the light, playful character of small cars while making the vehicle easy to drive and park in crowded cities.
The target weight is also around 2,200 pounds. Keeping the car light means Citroën doesn’t need a huge battery to provide useful everyday range. This should also help keep the purchase price and running costs low.
Despite its modern technology, the 2CV Concept is actually smaller than the original.
The concept takes the same minimalist approach in its construction. Wide, flat body panels, simple air intakes under the windshield, and separate bumpers that can be replaced individually are all designed to make the car easier and cheaper to build and repair.
Citroën is also working with Michelin on a “universal digital tire twin”, designed to monitor tire health and continuously adapt vehicle behavior based on road and environmental conditions.
A retro style without overdoing it
Photo by: Citroën
It is in the design that the link with the original 2CV is most obvious. The concept uses the same basic proportions and rounded silhouette, but Citroën has tweaked the details for the modern era. There’s a steep windshield, a gently curved roof, prominent fenders and relatively simple body cladding.
At the front are stand-alone round headlights combined with a modern LED light signature. The hood also incorporates a reference to the historic TPV project – the “Tout Petite Voiture” – which ultimately became the 2CV.
There are also some deliberately old-school touches, including exposed wipers and integrated air vents at the front.
On the side, the concept becomes more playful. The door handles are inspired by the original 2CV, while the slim turn indicators are installed in the rear roof pillars. The 19-inch steel wheels are another modern interpretation of a classic design.
The rear is arguably the most distinctive part of the car, with a curved roofline, a black tailgate extending all the way to the bumper, and horizontal LED lighting elements. Even the license plate is a little Easter egg, with the different nicknames given to 2CVs around the world.
The interior is full of 2CV Easter eggs
Photo by: Citroën
Citroën isn’t trying to turn the 2CV into another screen-filled electric vehicle, either.
The interior is bright and open, with wide seats featuring the company’s Advanced Comfort technology. The passenger seat can slide outwards, while removable storage baskets and soft strap-style door handles add a useful practical touch.
Instead of a conventional dashboard, the driver benefits from a minimalist control layout centered around a cylindrical structure. It houses the steering wheel, the control levers, the gearshift paddle and the Citroën Smart Vision screen, which projects important information into the driver’s field of vision.
There’s also an 8.0-inch square touchscreen that combines digital functions with physical controls. Its graphics are comic book-inspired, adding a bit of personality to what could otherwise be a very basic interface.
Then there’s “Radoën”, a detachable radio that doubles as a portable speaker. You can take it out of the car and take the music with you, which is nice.
A folding fabric roof is another obvious nod to the original 2CV, giving the cabin a more open and airy feel. However, the elaborate string of lights around the interior probably doesn’t make the transition to production.
Filled with original details
The 2CV Concept is full of tons of little references to the original. The exterior is finished in a color called “Infra Red”, combining orange, yellow and red tones in a nod to the classic 2CV Spot. Inside, the seats feature a modern take on the checkered upholstery of the old 2CV.
There are also beige Bakelite-inspired elements throughout the cabin. Bakelite was one of the first fully synthetic plastics and was used for various components of early 2CVs. Wood, textured fabrics, wicker-inspired materials and 3D-printed storage baskets give the interior a warmer, more tactile feel than the cabin of a typical modern electric vehicle.
Even the pedals are in on the joke; a turtle represents the brake, while a hare marks the accelerator.
Photo by: Citroën
Door pockets are another nifty reminder. They are designed to carry eggs, referencing one of the famous requirements of the original 2CV development file. The sounds of the horn and electric motor reference the original car, while the air vents under the windshield and the umbrella-handle-shaped selector mimic the familiar details of the 2CV.
The numbers 48, 90 and 26 on the windshield represent the year the original car was launched, the end of its production and the year this concept debuted.
The production 2CV could cost around €15,000
Citroën says the production version will be built in Europe and is targeting a starting price of around €15,000 (or around $16,000 at current conversion rates). That would make it one of the most affordable ways to get started with an electric car, assuming Citroën can keep the final price close to that target.
The production model is expected to arrive by 2028, and could debut at the 2028 Paris Motor Show. If that happens, the timing would be perfect: exactly 80 years after the original 2CV appeared.
Of course, not everything about this concept will survive the move to production, but if Citroën manages to preserve the basic formula – a lightweight, inexpensive and practical electric vehicle with plenty of personality – the 2CV could be one of the most interesting entries in Europe’s growing crop of affordable electric city cars.
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