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The Citroën 2CV Is Back As An Ultra-Affordable City Car

The new Citroën 2CV is packed with clever retro touches and could become one of Europe's cheapest EVs when it arrives in 2028.

Citroen 2CV Concept

Photo by: Citroën

By: Roland Hildebrandt

Translated by: Jeff Perez

Oct 11, at 1:00pm ET

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Fiat set the template with the 500, and Renault followed with the latest Twingo. Now, Citroën wants in on the retro city-car revival with a modern take on one of France’s most recognizable cars: the 2CV.

Known affectionately as the "Duck," or "La Deuche" in France, the 2CV is making a comeback at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. And judging by the concept, Citroën isn't simply trying to copy the original.

Citroën's goal was to create a small EV that's practical and inexpensive, but something that still feels special to drive. The production car would slot between the tiny Ami and the C3 in Citroën's lineup.

Smaller Than The Original 2CV

Citroen 2CV Concept (2026)

Photo by: Citroën

Despite its modern technology, the 2CV Concept is actually smaller than the original. It measures about 147.6 inches (3.7 meters) long, compared to the roughly 151.2 inches (3.8 meters) of the original 2CV.

Citroën says keeping the dimensions compact was intentional. The idea was to bring back the light, playful nature of small cars while making the vehicle easy to drive and park in crowded cities.

The target weight is around 2,200 pounds, too. Keeping the car light means Citroën doesn't need an enormous battery to provide useful everyday range. That should also help keep the purchase price and running costs down.

Despite its modern technology, the 2CV Concept is actually smaller than the original.

The concept takes the same minimalist approach to its construction. Broad, flat body panels, simple air intakes below 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,” which is designed to monitor tire health and continuously adapt the vehicle's behavior based on road and environmental conditions.

Retro Styling Without Going Overboard

Citroen 2CV Concept (2026)

Photo by: Citroën

The design is where the connection to the original 2CV is most obvious. The concept has the same basic proportions and rounded silhouette, but Citroën has tightened up the details for the modern era. There's a steep windshield, a gently curved roof, prominent fenders, and relatively simple body surfacing.

Up front are freestanding round headlights paired with a modern LED light signature. The hood also incorporates a reference to the historic TPV project—the “Toute Petite Voiture,” or “very small car”—that eventually became the 2CV.

There are also some deliberately old-school touches, including exposed windshield wipers and air openings integrated into the front end.

Citroen 2CV Concept (2026)

Photos by: Citroën

Citroen 2CV Concept (2026)

Photos by: Citroën

From the side, the concept gets more playful. The door handles take inspiration from the original 2CV, while slim turn signals sit 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, black tailgate extending down into the bumper, and horizontal LED lighting elements. Even the license plate is a little Easter egg, with the various nicknames given to the 2CV around the world.

The Interior Is Full Of 2CV Easter Eggs

Citroen 2CV Concept (2026)

Photo by: Citroën

Citroën isn't trying to turn the 2CV into another screen-filled EV, either.

The interior is bright and open, with wide seats featuring the company's Advanced Comfort technology. The passenger seat can slide outward, while removable storage baskets and soft strap-style door handles add some useful practicality.

Instead of a conventional dashboard, the driver gets a minimalist control setup centered around a cylindrical structure. It houses the steering wheel, control stalks, shift paddle, and Citroën Smart Vision Display, which projects important information into the driver's line of sight.

Citroen 2CV Concept (2026)

Photos by: Citroën

Citroen 2CV Concept (2026)

Photos by: Citroën

There's also an 8.0-inch square touchscreen that combines digital functions with physical controls. Its graphics are inspired by comic books, adding a little personality to what could otherwise be a very basic interface.

Then there's “Radioën,” a removable radio that doubles as a portable speaker. You can take it out of the car and bring the music with you, which is neat.

A fabric folding roof is another obvious nod to the original 2CV, giving the cabin a more open and airy feel. The elaborate string of lights around the interior, however, probably isn't making the transition to production.

Packed With Quirky Details

The 2CV Concept is filled with tons of little references to the original. The exterior is finished in a color called “Infra Red,” combining orange, yellow, and red tones as a nod to the classic 2CV Spot. Inside, the seats feature a modern take on the old 2CV's checkered upholstery.

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 on early 2CVs. Wood, textured fabrics, wicker-inspired materials, and 3D-printed storage baskets give the interior a warmer, more tactile feel than the typical modern EV cabin.

Even the pedals get in on the joke; a turtle represents the brake, while a hare marks the accelerator.

Citroen 2CV Concept (2026)

Photo by: Citroën

The door pockets are another clever callback. They're designed to carry eggs, referencing one of the famous requirements from the original 2CV's development brief. The horn and electric motor sounds reference the original car, while the ventilation flaps beneath the windshield and umbrella-handle-style selector mimic familiar 2CV details.

The numbers 48, 90, and 26 on the windshield represent the original car's launch year, the end of its production run, and the year of this concept's debut.

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 more affordable ways to get into an electric car, assuming Citroën can keep the final price anywhere close to that target.

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The production model is expected to arrive by 2028, potentially making its debut at the 2028 Paris Motor Show. If that happens, the timing would be perfect: exactly 80 years after the original 2CV first appeared.

Of course, not everything on this concept will survive the trip to production, but if Citroën can preserve the basic formula—a lightweight, inexpensive, practical EV with plenty of personality—the 2CV could be one of the more interesting entries in Europe's growing crop of affordable electric city cars.

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