Citroën has unveiled the 2 CV Concept at the Paris Motor Show, previewing a lightweight, minimalist production EV slated for launch by 2028 with a targeted entry price of around €15,000 (c. £13,000).

Inspired by the spirit of the original, this concept represents the core values that have always defined the 2CV – affordability, lightness, practicality, versatility and a distinctive character unrivalled on the road. Citroën also used the Paris stage to debut the 2 CV Fourgonnette Concept as a potential electric van spin-off, replacing the passenger cabin’s rear seats with a traditional box body, ribbed flanks and a split rear door as a nod to the original work van.

Manufactured in Europe, the production version of the 2 CV Concept will comply with upcoming European E-Car regulations, ensuring extra regulatory carbon credits for Citroën while providing consumers with low running costs.

Debuted over 75 years ago at the 1948 Paris Motor Show, the original 2CV was designed as a cheap, robust utility tool for rural France before evolving into a global cult classic.

The concept incorporates all the hallmarks and charm of the original 2CV, reinterpreting it in a contemporary version that pays numerous tributes to its predecessor.

The production model will be built on an all-new, ultra-low-cost electric platform and will sit between the Ami and the C3, “offering greater freedom of movement without compromising on character”.

At 3.76m, the 2 CV Concept is even shorter than the original 2CV in a ploy to “recapture the pleasure and agility of small cars, whilst making driving and parking easier”.

By engineering the vehicle to weigh under one tonne, Citroën can use a smaller, highly cost-effective battery. This lightweight strategy ensures the car delivers an optimal range for daily use while keeping running costs to a minimum. The 2 CV Concept also features design choices that take into account mass production and ease of repair. These include flat surfaces and direct air intakes beneath the windscreen, and bumpers that are separated from the bodywork and replaceable independently.

The concept also introduces a technology developed with Michelin called the “universal tyre digital twin”. This system continuously monitors tyre conditions, allowing the vehicle to dynamically adapt its handling to the surrounding environment.

Design takes the 2CV’s instantly recognisable silhouette, reinterpreted through tauter lines and generous volumes to convey greater energy while retaining the iconic chevrons. The exterior styling is rounded off by 19-inch steel wheels directly inspired by the original car.

Inside, the open cabin eliminates the traditional dashboard in favour of a minimalist steering cylinder, a single control lever and a pull-out front seat. Features include an 8.0-inch square touchscreen, comic-book-inspired digital graphics, door handles made from soft fabric straps, a fabric sunroof and a ‘Radioën’ detachable radio that doubles as a portable wireless speaker for picnics etc.

Xavier Chardon, Citroën CEO, said: “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. 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.”