The Citroen 2CV is back! Well, almost. This is the Citroen 2CV Concept, which previews an all-new, electric version of the legendary Citroen model that was sold new between 1948 and 1990. The new 2CV is definitely cheerful and it’s also likely to be cheap, with a starting price of about £18,000 in the UK possible when it goes on sale in 2028.
Here’s what we know so far about the 2028 Citroen 2CV.
2028 Citroen 2CV: Price, Specs and Release Date
- 2028 Citroen 2CV: styling and dimensions
- 2028 Citroen 2CV: interior design and practicality
- 2028 Citroen 2CV: engines and driving dynamics
- 2028 Citroen 2CV: price and release date
2028 Citroen 2CV: styling and dimensions
Much like the Renault 5 E-Tech, the new Citroen 2CV blends retro and contemporary elements in equal measure.
There are lots of references to the original 2CV, of course, with details such as the ridged bonnet with scoops at either side, rounded wheel arch bulges and headlights that sit proud of the front wings. There are even external bumpers with ‘overriders’ and retro-style door handles, although it remains to be seen whether these two features will be retained for the production version.
The overall shape is certainly similar to that of the first 2CV, with its flat front and rear windscreens, curvy bonnet and bubble-like profile. Elements such as the half-covered rear wheels and the additional side windows behind the rear doors haven’t filtered through to the 21st century version, though.
Unusually, the new version is actually shorter than the original – Citroen quotes a length of 3.76 metres for the 2028 model, which is about 10cm shorter than the original 2CV. It’s about the same length as the new Nissan Pixo and Renault Twingo E-Tech, so the 2CV will be more of a city car than a supermini in size.
2028 Citroen 2CV: interior design and practicality
Remarkably, the 2CV Concept is even more fun to look at on the inside than it is on the outside. Compared with the exterior, the interior has more of a concept car feel, with a wildly colourful, minimalist appearance that might not be quite so close to production.
The entire cabin is covered in a textured fabric that fades from vibrant yellow to beige as it gets lower to the floor, while the front and rear seats are one-piece benches upholstered in a yellow tartan fabric. It’s a bold look, which is designed to be ‘bright, warm and welcoming’. Job done, we’d say.
There’s no traditional dashboard as such – just a white ‘cylinder’, from which sprouts a single-spoke steering wheel, a single control lever, a gear selector and an 8-inch touchscreen. On the passenger side there’s a detachable radio that doubles as a speaker, while a basket made of wood and bio-based plastic sits on the floor between the driver and front passenger.
Citroen hasn’t confirmed all of the 2CV Concept’s dimensions but its compact size means that interior space and boot capacity are likely to be on a par with other city cars. The roofline appears to be fairly high, however, while the full-length fabric sunroof of the concept is likely to be available for the production version.
2028 Citroen 2CV: engines and driving dynamics
Citroen says that the production version of the new 2CV will weigh no more than a tonne, allowing it to have a ‘smaller, more cost-effective’ battery. For context, the similarly sized Renault Twingo E-Tech has a weight of about 1,200kg.
As a result, the 2CV isn’t likely to have an especially long range, and is therefore being positioned as offering ‘affordable electric mobility’ rather than as a rival for conventional electric superminis.
There are no details of battery size or power output for the production model, but you can expect both to be modest.
2028 Citroen 2CV: price and release date
Citroen is aiming for a starting price of around €15,000 in Europe for the new 2CV when it goes on sale in 2028. At current exchange rates that translates to about £12,700. The entry-level Citroen C3 costs the equivalent of about £14,000 in France but almost £20,000 in the UK, however, so an entry point of about £18,000 for the 2CV in the UK seems more likely.
That price would put the 2CV on a par with cars such as the new Nissan Pixo and Renault Twingo E-Tech. Standard equipment is likely to be pretty basic, with Citroen going all-out to make the 2CV as affordable as possible.
