Citroen is synonymous for two very memorable cars, the futuristic and original DS and the classic design of the 1940’s 2CV. But it’s the latter that has caught the world’s imagination as an affordable car for the masses, with distinctive styling, an abundance of practicality packaged into a small car that could handle both roads and farms.
Citroen’s Original 1948 Remit
“To build a cheap, basic car that could carry four people and 50 kg of farm produce or a barrel of wine across unpaved fields at 30 mph without breaking a basket of eggs”.
Eighty years after the original 2CV crossed the first farmer’s field with crates of eggs, Citroen has unveiled not one, but two new concepts at the Paris Motor Show which are set for production in 2028; the 2CV Concept passenger car and the 2 CV Fourgonnette Concept van.
The original 2CV had a production run that started in 1949 and ended in 1990, following its launch a year earlier at the 1948 Paris Motor Show. Over the decades it was owned and loved by over 5 million people and it even featured in the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only.
It’s not your typical Bond car, but it cemented the 2CV as being adept at adjusting to any environment as it was propelled down the side of a rugged mountain terrain. It showcased the original remit of the 2CV at how versatile they were.
2CV Concept
Where Renault, Nissan and Dacia are providing more-or-less the same city car, albeit with the Twingo leaning heavily on its 90’s heritage, Citroen has blown up the internet with its interpretation of its past, leaning heavily on its most distinctive, and long-lived product.
The new interpretation of the 2CV is pitched as the new go-to budget car of choice without compromising on style. With an all-electric powertrain, four seats and a back-to-basics interior, Citroen has created a cheerful car that’s oozing with character and charm, yet it will not hurt the bank account.
Xavier Chardon, CEO of Citroën, sums it up “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.”
Despite being a concept for now, what we see will mostly make it into production, according to Citroen. The only issue is, it won’t be on sale until 2028.
At just 3.76 metres long, it’s pitched as a direct competitor to the equally retro Renault Twingo, both of which nod agreeingly to their respective and iconic predecessors. And it’s not just on charm that these two will compete, because Citroen is aiming to start the 2CV at around €15,000 (£12,500), which represents phenomenal value for an EV. It’s not confirmed whether this will receive the U.K. EV Car Grant, either.
There’s also no confirmation whether the new 2CV can pull off the party trick of ferrying four adults across a farm with a crate of eggs (without any breaking) as the original 1949 car demonstrated.
Eggs aside, Citroen says the “2 CV Concept takes an approach that goes against the grain of a market where cars are becoming ever larger, heavier, more sophisticated and more expensive: to be simple and clever, lighter and more efficient. The aim is to offer practical, desirable and affordable cars.” This is a refreshing venture in a world that’s dominated by more profitable, and more generic looking SUVs and crossovers.
Other words Citroen has used to define the new 2CV are “Agile, easy to live with and full of personality, it breathes new life into a long-neglected category. Whether it’s the city 2 CV or the country 2 CV: it adapts to all terrains.”
Citroen 2CV Interior
The 2CV Concept has a removable storage basket in place of the centre console. Door handles are made from soft straps and the dashboard gets a cylinder with all essentials attached: a single-spoke steering wheel, a single lever, a paddle-shift gear selector and a Citroën Smart Vision Display.
Inside, the 2 CV Concept has captured the spirit of the original with a paired back, stripped down interior focused on bright fabrics, space and storage. It’s simplistic approach to an interior is devoid of ego, class and bling with a focus on concealed technology and no-nonsense back-to-basics.
The use of technology extends to an 8-inch square ‘phygital’ (physical digital?) touchscreen and a detachable “Radioën” radio that doubles as a speaker that can be used inside and outside the car. The 2 CV Concept also has a fabric, roll-back panoramic sunroof, just like the original.
It’s both refreshing and brave, but it will undoubtedly stand apart in a world that tries too hard to capture attention with ever more divisive looks, a plethora of screens or churning out masses of generic designs.
2 CV Fourgonnette Concept
Featured in another classic film - albeit this time from 1975 - The Return of the Pink Panther featured a 2 CV Fourgonnette that found its way into a suspects swimming pool driven by the comically incompetent detective, Inspector Clouseau, as he closes in on the illusive and notorious Phantom.
Comedy aside, the original Fourgonnette represented an honest workhorse for the masses with the same character and charm of the passenger car, but with a single box on the back providing a practical low load area that served generations of tradespeople, shopkeepers and delivery drivers for decades.
Now reinterpreted for a modern urban environment, Citroen has maintained what made the original Fourgonnette a hit. Xavier Chardon – CEO of Citroën and DS Automobiles says “The 2 CV Fourgonnette was more than just a workhorse. It was part of everyday life. Simple, ingenious and accessible, it above all possessed something few commercial vehicles have: a soul. That is the spirit we are bringing back to life today. Because being useful should never mean being ordinary.”
One has to admire the charm and character that’s applied to a van, especially when vans are focused as a practical utility first vehicle, and not so focused on what it looks like.
This Fourgonnette will turn heads, and those heads will be looking at the signage written on the back and sides of the quirky Citroen van, making it a stand-out billboard for businesses vying for attention.
Whilst Citroen hasn’t shown any interior pictures, undoubtedly it will carry over the same charm as the passenger vehicle, with its back-to-basics motoring and an added pinch of onboard technology.
Whatever people think of these retro vehicles, sometimes looking back to the past inspires that emotional connection with fond memories, whilst also enthusing a new, young generation.
Seeing cars and vans that ooze with character and appeal - plus a little technology - warms the soul. Most importantly though, Citroen is laser focused on providing inexpensive electric transportation for the masses in the most un-boring fashion.
To sum it up, the 2CV Concept, and its Fourgonnette sibling appeals on the most simplistic terms. It’s a humble homage that’s perfectly pitched between classic and modern.
About the Author
Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more.
You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb
