Citroën Shows Their Next Generation 2CV Concept at the Paris Motor Show

At the 2026 Paris Motor Show, Citroën is reviving an icon by unveiling the 2 CV Concept, a modern, ingenious and refreshing response to the mobility challenges of tomorrow. Inspired by the spirit of the original 2CV, this concept embodies the core values that have always defined the 2CV: affordability, lightness, racticality, versatility and a distinctive character unrivaled on the road.

[Note that Citroën now chooses to refer to the model as the 2 CV adding a space to what has traditionally been 2CV.]

The Chevrons brand draws inspiration from this legend to present a radically contemporary interpretation. The 2 CV Concept is electric, minimalist, affordable, and compac, bringing the spirit of the 2 CV up to speed with today’s challenges and heralds a future model set to join the Citroën range by 2028.

With a length of just 3.76 meters, shorter than the original 2 CV — this is a deliberate choice to recapture the pleasure and agility of small cars, whilst making driving and parking easier.

It is to be manufactured in Europe, with a target starting price of around 15,000 euros.

^{“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.” – Xavier Chardon}

Reinventing the idea behind the 2CV’s success;

• The starting point was not to recreate a 2 CV, but to imagine the small electric car of the future – practical and desirable, bringing some “joie de vivre” – which would make everyday short journeys exciting again.
• The 2 CV is a source of inspiration. Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 1948, it met a set of pragmatic specifications. It was not intended to become an icon. It became iconic because of what it made possible: working, traveling, going almost anywhere and enjoying life to the fullest.

• Since then, the world has changed, but the idea remains the same. Redefining a sensible set of specifications that focuses on essential needs and eliminates the superfluous to offer greater freedom. Inspired by the original, it’s about reinventing the idea that made it a success.

The spirit of the 2 CV meets the challenges of electric mobility;

• To bring about a new generation of small electric cars, in line with the new European E-Car regulations, positioned between the Ami and the C3, to offer greater freedom of movement without compromising on character. Although electric power details were not mentioned, expect a range similar small urban EVs; ~30kWh batteries and ~250km (~150mi) of range. [We gather that front seat headrests will be required on the production model.]
• A controlled weight aiming for one ton. Less mass means a smaller, more cost-effective battery, with a range tailored for everyday use and low running costs.
• Innovation isn’t always about adding features; it’s also about simplifying. Design choices that also take into account mass production and ease of repair: flat surfaces and direct air intakes beneath the windscreen, bumpers separated from the bodywork and replaceable independently.
• Citroën is collaborating with Michelin, which has developed a technology described as a universal digital twin of the tire. The system is intended to help the vehicle adapt its behavior to changing environmental conditions while continuously monitoring tire condition. Further details about its implementation in a potential production model have not been announced.

A design that blends heritage with renewal;

• At the front: round headlamps set apart from the bodywork, an expressive LED signature, a sculpted, sweeping bonnet, TPV-inspired creases, integrated air intakes and exposed windscreen wipers.

• On the sides: a vertical windscreen, a curved and flowing roof, rounded wings and taut flanks; contoured door handles, tapered indicators on the C-pillar, 18-inch steel wheels inspired by the 2 CV, and Michelin tires bearing the Heritage logo and the Citroën chevrons.

• At the rear: a distinctive roofline accentuated by a black tailgate extending down to the bumper, just like on the first-generation 2CV, LED lights on either side of the tailgate, three horizontal stripes, a short overhang, a visible tailgate handle and a number plate displaying the 2CV’s nicknames in different countries. And of course — a fabric sunroof.

The interior as a way of life;

• Inside, the 2 CV Concept captures the spirit of the 2 CV in a comfortable, bright, warm and welcoming environment where every element has its place.
• Recessed door panels, wide and inviting seats featuring Citroën Advanced Comfort® technology, and a pull-out front seat to turn a break into a truly relaxing experience.
• In place of the dashboard is a cylinder to which the following are attached: a single-spoke steering wheel, a single control lever, a paddle-shift gear selector and a Citroën Smart Vision display which prioritizes essential information within the driver’s field of vision. An 8-inch square ‘phygital’ touchscreen, with graphics inspired by comic books.
• A removable storage basket, produced using 3D printing, in place of the center console, door handles made from soft straps, and solutions designed with practicality in mind.
• “Radioën”, a detachable radio that doubles as a speaker and accompanies occupants both inside and outside the vehicle.
• The pedals feature a tortoise for the brake and a rabbit for the accelerator — a playful nod to the freedom to slow down or speed up.
• The door storage compartments, designed to hold eggs, pay homage to the original specifications and the practical ingenuity of the 2 CV.

All the nods to the past, to forge a connection;

• The design of the 2 CV Concept is also evident in a multitude of details: a way of forging a close connection with the 2 CV’s heritage.
• The sound of the horn and the electric motor when turning on the car echoes that of the 2 CV.
• Heart-shaped stickers evoke the model’s popularity.
• The numbers 48 / 90 / 26 inscribed on the windscreen refer to 1948, the year of its launch; 1990, the end of production; and 2026, the unveiling of the concept.

Citroën also presented the 2 CV Fourgonnette Concept alongside the 2 CV Concept. This design study—or, more precisely, passion project—was created by Citroën’s designers to reinterpret the spirit of the 2 CV Fourgonnette for today’s needs.

With the 2 CV Concept, Citroën isn’t content merely to look in the rear-view mirror to revive the past: it is reinventing an idea that has lost none of its relevance. A more accessible, lighter and more essential electric car that puts freedom and pleasure back at the heart of mobility. A new 2 CV, faithful to the spirit of the original but resolutely focused on the uses and challenges of tomorrow.