Sacre bleu – Is the 2CV on the comeback trail?

Citroën may restart production of the 2CV following a more than 30-year absence of the no-frills classic.

The news signals a change of heart from Citroën, which had previously said no to a 2CV revival. Development and success of Renault’s R5 may have swung things.

It would likely be a retro-special in the way the diminutive Ami city car borrowed 2CV cues. It features the google-eyed headlights, and historic Citroën logo.

If it does go ahead, and that’s not yet confirmed, simplicity and affordability will be key aspects. The original was a back-to-basics vehicle that brought mobility to post-war France.

Today, a basic cheap EV might sell quite well against a background of constantly rising vehicle prices. It will likely use an even more basic version of the Stellantis Smart Car platform that underpins the new C3. 

The powertrain would prioritise efficiency over performance and utilise a small, inexpensive battery pack.

Citroën CEO, Thierry Koskas, said a battery is still 40 per cent of an EV’s overall cost and needs to come down further. One of the least expensive EVs currently is Dacia Spring which has a 26.8kWh battery pack, a range of 224km and costs £14,995 in the UK (around $NZ30k). On price, the 2CV would slot in above the Ami at £7700 and below the e-C3 at £18k.

ICE power is probably not an option for the 2CV because of space restrictions. Rivals would include the Dacia Spring and also Leapmotor T03 (£16k), in all likelihood.

If it does go ahead, expect it out in 2028, the 80th anniversary of the original car’s unveiling at the Paris motor show.

In further news, Citroen Boss, Thierry Koskas, told AutoExpress that a revival of the 2CV wasn’t likely. He suggested that the company might instead look at a Golf- or Focus-sized vehicle, only a sector buster, for which the firm is famous.