Citroen has brought back its iconic 2CV as an electric concept, positioning it as a counterweight to the industry's trend of ever-larger and pricier vehicles. The 2CV Concept, revealed at the 2026 Paris auto show, is a compact BEV (battery-electric) measuring 3.76 meters in length with a target curb weight of about 1 ton and a starting price goal of 15,000 euros (about 112,000 yuan, or roughly $15,800). The production version is slated for Europe in 2028, according to NetEase Auto.
Back to basics
The original 2CV, launched at the 1948 Paris show and discontinued in 1990, was one of Europe's most famous post-war people's cars, nicknamed "La Deuche" in France. The new concept is not a retro clone, said Citroen CEO Xavier Chardon; rather, it aims to recapture the original's spirit of simplicity, affordability, and freedom. The car will slot between the Ami quadricycle and the C3 hatchback, developed under the EU's forthcoming E-Car category for small EVs.
Key specifications include a length of 3.76 meters, shorter than the original, and a target starting price of 15,000 euros. The company's logic is straightforward: by keeping weight down, it can use a smaller battery, reducing both purchase and running costs. The trade-off is a range tuned for daily commuting rather than long trips. Citroen has not yet disclosed battery capacity, range, motor output, or charging specs.
Design details and interior
The concept's face is unmistakable: round standalone headlights with modern LED strips, and creases on the hood harking back to the TPV (Toute Petite Voiture, or "very small car") prototype. Exposed wipers, a front vent, and retro door handles preserve the mechanical feel. The rear features a curved roof flowing into a black tailgate with horizontal LED lights, and the license plate lists the 2CV's nicknames in various countries. The paint, called Infra Red, uses orange, yellow, and red tones echoing the classic 2CV Spot.
Inside, there is no traditional dashboard. A horizontal cylinder ahead of the driver integrates a single-spoke steering wheel, control stalks, paddle shifters, and Citroen's Smart Vision head-up display. An 8-inch square touchscreen handles digital functions alongside physical buttons, with a comic-style interface. The passenger seat slides outward for easier entry, door pulls are soft fabric straps, and a removable 3D-printed basket made of wood and bio-based materials replaces the center console. A detachable sound system called Radioen doubles as a portable speaker, and the roof is a folding cloth canopy echoing the original's open-air design.
Hidden Easter eggs abound: brake and accelerator pedals are marked with animal symbols for "slow" and "fast," door bins are sized to hold eggs, and the windshield bears the numbers 48, 90, and 26—the original's debut year, discontinuation year, and this concept's reveal year. The cabin uses plaid seats, beige faux-bakelite trim, wood and woven materials to create a warm feel, deliberately contrasting with the cold tech aesthetic of mainstream EVs.
Some show-car flourishes, like the complex lighting around the cabin, may not make it to production. The challenge, as NetEase Auto notes, is turning these characterful details into a cost-effective, mass-producible product. As of this writing, the production version's battery, range, motor output, and final price remain unknown.
China comparison
Neither the 2CV nor the Ami is sold in mainland China. Dongfeng Citroen's current lineup is mostly petrol models, such as the Versailles C5 X priced between 137,700 and 186,700 yuan, and the C5 AIRCROSS at 131,800 to 163,700 yuan (data from Yiche, October 2026). At 15,000 euros (about 112,000 yuan), the 2CV would not be cheap even if imported directly. Chinese small EVs of similar length already sell in the 60,000 to 90,000 yuan range, so the 2CV's significance is more symbolic: a reminder that small cars need not be loaded with big batteries or excessive features. For European buyers and fans of minimalist design, it is worth watching, but for Chinese consumers, established models like the BYD Seagull, Geely Xingyuan, and MG4 already fill this niche.
