At the 2026 Paris Motor Show, Citroën is reviving an icon by unveiling the 2CV Concept, “a modern, ingenious and refreshing response to the mobility challenges of tomorrow”, as Citroën puts it.

Inspired by the spirit of the original, this concept embodies the core values that have always defined the 2CV: affordability, lightness, practicality, versatility, and a distinctive character unrivaled on the road.

Timeless

Some cars define an era. Others stand the test of time. Rarely has a model embodied a universal vision of freedom as powerfully as the Citroën 2CV. Today, the ‘Double Chevron’ brand draws inspiration from this legend to present a radically contemporary interpretation, unveiled at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, or as the French say it with another ‘jeu de mots’: “Elle est 2 retour”.

Electric, minimalist, affordable, compact and ingenious, that’s how the concept wants to bring the spirit of the 2CV up to speed with today’s challenges and herald a future model set to join the Citroën range by 2028. A model with a distinctive, fresh, and cheerful style, aiming to rekindle the magic of electric mobility.

“Reinventing the 2CV 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,” says Xavier Chardon, CEO of Citroën. “With the 2CV 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,” he added.

New (electric) challenges

The challenge of the 2CV is 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.

It will be manufactured in Europe, with a target starting price of around €15,000, to make electric mobility accessible to as many people as possible. This approach goes against the grain of a market where cars are becoming larger, heavier, more sophisticated, and more expensive. The answer here aims at simplicity, cleverness, lightness, and efficiency. The aim is to offer practical, desirable and affordable cars.

At 3.76 m, the 2CV concept is shorter than the original 2CV, which is exceptional. This deliberate choice recaptures the pleasure and agility of small cars while making driving and parking easier. The controlled weight targets 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, says Citroën; it can also be 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…

But simple does not mean ordinary. Citroën hopes getting behind the wheel of the 2CV Concept means tackling your daily journeys with a smile. “The 2CV Concept embodies modernity through its styling, its on-board comfort and all the practical features for everyday use, reimagined in the spirit of the 2CV to make life easier for its occupants.”

That’s a philosophy shared with tire partner Michelin, which has developed the ‘universal digital twin of the tire’, an innovation that lets the vehicle adapt its behavior to its environment and continuously monitor tire condition.

Design: heritage and renewal

The design challenge was to create a dialogue between heritage and innovation: to preserve the essence of a model whose silhouette and interior are instantly recognizable, without succumbing to a static sense of nostalgia. To breathe new life into an icon, not by copying it, but by reinventing its design language so it feels fully rooted in the present day.

An instantly recognizable silhouette, with the 2CV’s unique proportions and curves reinterpreted through tauter lines and generous volumes to convey greater energy. 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 2CV’s original 15-inch, 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.

No dashboard

Inside, the design opens up the space and gives passengers more room: no traditional dashboard, recessed door panels, wide, inviting seats featuring Citroën Advanced Comfort technology, and a pull-out front seat that turns a break into a truly relaxing experience.

Instead of a dashboard, a cylinder holds a single-spoke steering wheel, a single control lever, a paddle-shift gear selector, and a Citroën Smart Vision display that prioritizes essential information within the driver’s field of vision. A detachable radio that doubles as a speaker and accompanies occupants both inside and outside the vehicle. Last but not least, a fabric sunroof, which brings in light, a sense of openness, and a feeling of escape”.

Nods to the past

The 2 CV Concept’s design also shows in many details, forging a close connection with the 2 CV’s heritage. The horn and electric motor sound when the car turns on echo 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.

The Michelin tires feature an exclusive chevron pattern, while the number plate displays the various nicknames the 2CV has been given around the world. 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 original.

Beyond the fact that the drive is electric, Citroën hasn’t shared any details about the technology, other than that it sits on one of the new electric platforms that will be very important for Stellantis in the future. At the promised price tag of €15,000, the electric motor and battery will also differ from current habits: less powerful and smaller.