Citroën Previews Affordable 2CV Electric City Car Starting At €15,000

Following Fiat's revival of the 500 and Renault's modern take on the Twingo, Citroën has unveiled a modern reimagining of its iconic 2CV at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. Known affectionately in France as the "Duck" or "La Deuche," the 2CV returns as an electric concept designed to slot between the tiny Ami and the C3 in Citroën's lineup. The production version is scheduled to arrive in 2028, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the original car's debut, and is expected to be built in Europe with a starting price of around €15,000 (roughly $16,000).

Despite incorporating modern electric propulsion, the 2CV Concept is even more compact than the original vehicle. It measures approximately 147.6 inches (3.7 meters) long compared to the original's 151.2 inches (3.8 meters), with a target weight of around 2,200 pounds (roughly 1,000 kg). Citroën intentionally kept the vehicle light and compact so it does not require an oversized battery for practical city driving. The exterior construction focuses on simplicity and cost-efficiency, utilizing broad, flat body panels, simple air intakes beneath the windshield, and separate bumpers that can be replaced individually. Citroën is also collaborating with Michelin on a digital tire twin to track tire health and optimize road behavior.

The exterior styling retains the 2CV's rounded silhouette, steep windshield, and arched roofline, while modernizing key elements with freestanding round LED headlights, retro door handles, slim turn signals on the rear pillars, and 19-inch steel wheels. The concept is finished in an "Infra Red" paint scheme honoring the classic 2CV Spot, while the hood subtly references the historic TPV ("Toute Petite Voiture") development project. The windshield features the numbers 48, 90, and 26, signifying the original launch year (1948), the end of production (1990), and the concept's debut year (2026). The rear showcases a distinctive black tailgate extending into the bumper, horizontal LED taillights, and a license plate listing international nicknames for the model.

Inside, the cabin features a bright, airy environment with a fabric folding roof and wide seats equipped with Citroën's Advanced Comfort technology. Instead of an overwhelming array of screens, the minimalist dashboard centers around a cylindrical steering hub containing control stalks, a shift paddle, and the Citroën Smart Vision Display projection. Infotainment is handled by an 8.0-inch square touchscreen with comic-book-inspired graphics, complemented by "Radioën," a removable radio that doubles as a portable speaker. Quirky interior details include pedals marked with a turtle for the brake and a hare for the accelerator, egg-holding door pockets referencing original design requirements, vintage Bakelite-style beige accents, and 3D-printed storage baskets.