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 2 CV. Today, the French marque draws inspiration from this legend to present a radically contemporary interpretation, unveiled at the 2026 Paris Motor Show: 2 CV Concept. Electric, minimalist, affordable, compact and ingenious, this concept brings the spirit of the 2 CV 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.
With the announcement, Citroën’s starting point was not to recreate a 2 CV, but to imagine the small electric car of the future – practical and desirable, bringing some “joie de vivre” – which would make everyday short journeys exciting again. The 2 CV is a source of inspiration. Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 1948, it met a set of pragmatic specifications. 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 focuses on essential needs and eliminates 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.
Intended to sit between Ami and C3, the 2 CV model will be manufactured in Europe, with a target starting price of around 15,000 euros. This approach that goes against the grain of a market where cars are becoming even larger, heavier, more sophisticated and more expensive: simple and clever, lighter and more efficient. At 3.76 m, the 2 CV concept is shorter than the original 2 CV. 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. A controlled weight results in a smaller, more cost-effective battery, with a range tailored for everyday use and low running costs. Design choices that also take into account mass production and ease of repair - flat surfaces and direct air intakes beneath the windscreen, bumpers separated from the bodywork and replaceable. Getting behind the wheel of the 2 CV Concept means tackling your daily journeys with a smile.
The design challenge for Citroën was to create a dialogue between heritage and innovation. 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. At the front, round headlamps set apart from the bodywork, an expressive LED signature, a sculpted, sweeping bonnet, integrated air intakes and exposed windscreen wipers. Looking at the side, you will find a vertical windscreen, a curved and flowing roof, rounded wings, contoured door handles, tapered indicators on the C-pillar, 18-inch steel wheels inspired by the 2 CV, and Michelin tyres bearing the Heritage logo and the Citroën chevrons. At the rear, a distinctive roofline accentuated by a black tailgate extending down to the bumper, just like on the first-generation 2CV, LED lights on either side of the tailgate, three horizontal stripes, a short overhang, a visible tailgate handle and a number plate displaying the 2CV’s nicknames in different countries.
The 2CV plays with a palette of bright, warm colours to convey optimism and vitality. The Red exterior, derived from an orange base with yellow and red highlights, adds intensity. Inside, an iconic 2 CV motif, the tartan, has been reimagined and covers the seats in zesty shades of yellow for an energising interior. On the floor, the dashboard and door panels feature a textured fabric inspired by cane and basketery. A basket combining wood and bio-based plastic, produced using 3D printing, and wood around the ‘Radioën’ unit are present. Light grey steel wheels highlighted with yellow ‘colour clips’ bearing the 2 CV inscription.
The design of the 2 CV Concept is also evident in a multitude of details: a way of forging a close connection with the 2 CV’s heritage. The sound of the horn and the electric motor when turning on the car echoes that of the 2 CV. 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. The door storage compartments, designed to hold eggs, pay homage to the original specifications and the practical ingenuity of the 2 CV.
Ahead of its reveal at the Paris Motor Show 2026, Xavier Chardon, CEO of Citroën mentioned: “Reinventing the 2 CV 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.”
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 2 CV, faithful to the spirit of the original but resolutely focused on the uses and challenges of tomorrow. Because an icon cannot be copied. It must be reinvented.
