Is the Citroën 2CV really coming back?

Rumours of a return of the Citroën 2CV arose after an interview with the company's designer published by Autocar, but it won't happen

Photo by: Motor1

By: Massimo Grassi

Jan 24, 2025 at 5:05am ET

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A return to the past in car design and naming, especially with the advent of electric cars, has been a hot topic in recent years, and in recent days there has been much talk about the future launch of a new Citroën 2CV, with shapes inspired by the original model and an electric powertrain. Galeotta was an anonymous source quoted by Autocar, as saying that the company's top management is working on the project. "We're not closing the door on retro styling," added Pierre Leclercq, head of Citroën design, when questioned by the British magazine at the Brussels Motor Show 2025.

This is not the case. The Citroën 2CV is and will remain a model of the past and the Double Chevron is not studying the project.

The eternal return

Certainly, the idea would have been fascinating, especially in light of the success of the new Renault 5. Strongly inspired by its progenitor, the small electric car from Lausanne has become an instant classic and sales, especially in France, are going strong. So much so that they are equalling those of the bestselling Clio. This is undoubtedly due to a successful design, somewhere between modernity and tradition. Hats off.

Renault 5

Photo by: Renault

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However, Citroën will not be following this strategy, as sources within the company have revealed. The reason is simple. In the €25,000 (approx. £22,000) price range, there is already the new electric C3 and it would not make sense to create a competitor within the company. Lowering the price further would be difficult and might require sacrifices in terms of quality and equipment. If you want to spend considerably less, there is the Citroën Ami, but we are talking about a two-seater electric quadricycle that is quite different from any other city car.

Citroen C3

Citroen Ami

On the other hand, it would not be in line with Citroën's philosophy to create a fancier model with a higher price list. So no, it is official: there will be no new 2CV. There will be other models from the Smart Car platform, a candidate for the retro forms of the small French car.