The reborn Citroën 2CV aims to make electric mobility more accessible, targeting a price of under €15,000.
The iconic Citroën 2CV, a widely popular French car of the last century, is set to be reborn as an electric vehicle, 36 years after production ended, Citroën announced on Thursday.
“The 2CV is back! Citroën is back. Back to the future,” said CEO Xavier Chardon.
The announcement was made during an investor day in Michigan by parent company Stellantis, which also owns brands such as Jeep, Ram, and Fiat.
A version of the vehicle is expected to be showcased at the Paris Motor Show in October.
At Thursday’s event, journalists and analysts were shown the exterior design of the revamped 2CV, which retains the original car’s distinctive shape, including a domed, ribbed front hood and its signature protruding headlights.
However, adjustments may be required to meet modern road safety and regulatory standards once the vehicle moves into production.
“It’s a very important moment, because in 1948 the 2CV gave freedom of mobility to millions, and 80 years later, the new 2CV will democratize electric mobility,” said Xavier Chardon.
Xavier Chardon said the revived model will be “100 percent electric,” fully produced in Europe, and priced at under €15,000 (about $17,400).
“The true people’s car designed for real life,” said Xavier Chardon. “For me, the future of mobility will not be won by the most complex cars, but by the simplest and the most intuitive ones.”
Citroën officials plan to primarily market the vehicle in Europe, with expectations that it could reach retail showrooms in about two years.
Parent company Stellantis also announced a broader “e-cars” campaign this week, focusing on small electric vehicles priced up to €15,000 across multiple brands, to be produced in Pomigliano d’Arco, Italy.
The original Citroën 2CV, often nicknamed “two horses,” was first unveiled on October 7, 1948 at the Paris Motor Show.
Originally produced in a single grey colour, the vehicle—affectionately nicknamed “la deudeuche”—quickly gained popularity, leading to delivery delays during the 1950s.
While retaining its distinctive silhouette, later versions featured more powerful engines and were offered in a wider range of colours. Special editions also emerged, including the Charleston, the Dolly, and a “007” edition tied to the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only, which featured a yellow 2CV.
Production of the model ultimately ended on July 27, 1990 at a factory in Portugal, largely due to increasingly strict European emissions regulations.
