Citroën 2CV Concept: The Sketches Behind a Modern Duck
With the 2CV Concept unveiled at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, Citroën presented a modern interpretation of one of its most iconic models. The brand has now released the design sketches created during the development process, offering a fascinating insight into how designers approached the challenge of reinventing the legendary 2CV for a new era. 
Rethinking a Design Icon
Few cars are as closely associated with France as the Citroën 2CV. Its unique silhouette, pronounced fenders, round headlights and canvas roof made it a symbol of simplicity, practicality and joie de vivre for generations.
For Citroën’s designers, this heritage represented both an opportunity and a challenge. The goal was not to replicate the original car, but to identify the elements that made the 2CV instantly recognizable and reinterpret them for today’s world.
Balancing Heritage and Modernity
The newly released sketches illustrate the many stages of the design process. Different proportions, front-end concepts and body treatments were explored before the final form emerged.
Several familiar features were retained, including the characteristic headlights, ribbed bonnet, flowing roofline and prominent wheel arches. At the same time, the concept gained a stronger and more contemporary presence suited to modern design requirements and regulations.
Interestingly, some historic design elements were deliberately left behind. For example, the rear wheel covers of the classic 2CV were omitted to avoid creating a purely retro vehicle and to meet practical considerations.
The Spirit of the 2CV in Every Detail
Attention was not limited to the exterior. Numerous details were carefully reinterpreted.
The manually operated canvas roof immediately recalls the original 2CV while also expressing its philosophy of simplicity and functionality. Inside, bench seats, a single-spoke steering wheel, a removable radio and other deliberately straightforward solutions capture the spirit of the original rather than simply reproducing historical forms.
Colour and materials also play an important role. Shades of yellow and white, woven fabrics and references to traditional French craftsmanship contribute to a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
More Than Nostalgia
The sketches demonstrate that the 2CV Concept is much more than a styling exercise. Rather than reproducing the past, the designers sought to translate the values and emotions associated with the original 2CV into a contemporary vehicle.
In doing so, the concept embraces the qualities that made the historic model so successful: simplicity, practicality, ingenuity and a distinctive personality. The newly released drawings provide a fascinating record of how this balance between heritage and innovation was achieved.
Source
Citroën press information, October 28, 2026.
Ed Note: This article is solely about the 2CV Concept’s design and not the engineering to achieve the power, suspension and other technical elements of what production models might be. As for the sketches shown, there are some showing a 2-door and a pick up, all with a close resemblance to the actual 2CV Concept shown at the Paris Motor Show. We would love to see some of the sketches that may have been created showing various design ideas that were not presented, yet being typically Citroën, were most likely way out there!