At the Paris Motor Show, French automaker Citroën presented a modern reinterpretation of its historic Deux Chevaux. The concept, officially called the 2CV electric, is positioned as a low-cost urban vehicle that could reach showrooms in 2028 with a starting price of around €15,000.
The original 2CV, produced until 1990, was celebrated for its simplicity, soft suspension and ability to cross a farm field with a basket of eggs unharmed. Today, the new electric version keeps the silhouette – a rounded cabin, circular headlights and a fabric roof that can roll back – while shedding many of the quirks that made the gasoline model a cult classic.
Design language and dimensions
Citroën retained the instantly recognizable “tin-snail” outline but introduced a boxier front end, lower wheel arches and a taller hood. The concept measures 3,760 mm in length, making it four inches shorter than the 1948 model yet still larger than many city EVs such as the Fiat 500e. The vehicle rides on 19-inch alloy wheels with classic white Michelin markings, a direct visual nod to the original.
One of the most striking heritage cues is the giant fabric roof that can be fully opened, echoing the convertible top of the classic. Inside, the cabin abandons a traditional dashboard in favour of a minimalist layout: a single-piece bench seat at the front (removable for picnics), a matching rear bench, and a small phygital 8-inch touchscreen with comic-book-style graphics. A detachable retro radio doubles as a speaker, while a removable basket sits where a centre console would normally be, recalling the original’s utilitarian storage.
Technical targets and performance expectations
While Citroën has not disclosed exact power figures, the badge on the rear suggests a modest output. The historic 2CV ranged from 9 hp to 29 hp, a calculation based on France’s tax-horsepower system. The electric reinterpretation will inevitably surpass those numbers – likely positioning it between the 8 hp Citroën Ami and the 113 hp C3-e – but it is not intended to be a speed demon.
Weight is a central part of the pricing strategy. The company aims for a curb weight of about 1,000 kg (2,205 lbs), lighter than many contemporary EVs and even lighter than the Mazda MX-5. A lighter chassis helps keep the battery pack size modest; comparable city EVs often carry batteries of roughly 30 kWh, delivering around 250 km (150 mi) of range. Whether the production 2CV will adopt a similar capacity remains unconfirmed, but the low-wheel-arch design hints at a pavement-focused urban vehicle rather than an off-road workhorse.
Market positioning and heritage strategy
Citroën plans to place the new 2CV in the emerging M1E (or E-Car) class, a European category that rewards smaller, cheaper EVs with higher emissions-credit allocations. The pricing target of €15,000 – roughly £13,000 – would make it one of the cheapest electric cars available in Europe, competing directly with models such as the Dacia Spring.
By leveraging the nostalgic appeal of the original 2CV, Citroën joins other manufacturers that have revived legacy names to attract buyers wary of fully new designs. The strategy mirrors Renault’s revival of the 5 E-Tech and the enduring popularity of the Fiat 500. As European brands confront mounting competition from Chinese EV makers, drawing on historic design language provides a differentiator that newer entrants cannot replicate.
The concept also preserves functional heritage. The soft suspension that once allowed a farmer to transport a basket of eggs over rough terrain is echoed by a low-travel chassis that still promises a comfortable ride for four occupants. The large, roll-up fabric roof and the absence of rear fender skirts further reinforce the link to the 1948 model while complying with modern safety expectations.
If the company can maintain the low price point while delivering a reliable electric powertrain, the new 2CV could become an instant classic for a new generation of city drivers.
