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

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

With a compact length of 3.76 metres, this concept embodies freedom of movement, ease of use and affordable electric mobility.

Clever and appealing, its design incorporates all the hallmarks and charm of the 2 CV, reinterpreted in a contemporary version that pays numerous tributes to its predecessor.

Its spectacular and colourful interior remains true to the lifestyle embodied by this iconic model, being spacious, comfortable and connected.

The 2 CV Concept embodies the vision for a model that the brand will unveil within the next two years; manufactured in Europe, it aims for a starting price of around €15,000 and will comply with future E-Car regulations.

October 11TH, 2026 – 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 2 CV. Today, the French marque draws inspiration from this legend to present a radically contemporary interpretation, unveiled at the 2026 Paris Motor Show: 2 CV Concept. Electric, minimalist, affordable, compact and ingenious, this concept brings the spirit of the 2 CV up to speed with today’s challenges and heralds a future model set to join the Citroën range by 2028. A model with a distinctive, fresh and cheerful style, whose ambition will be to rekindle the magic of electric mobility.

With the announcement, Citroën’s starting point was not to recreate a 2 CV, but to imagine the small electric car of the future – practical and desirable, bringing some “joie de vivre” – which would make everyday short journeys exciting again. The 2 CV is a source of inspiration. Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 1948, it met a set of pragmatic specifications. It became iconic because of what it made possible, working, travelling, going almost anywhere and enjoying life to the fullest. Since then, the world has changed, but the idea remains the same. Redefining a sensible set of specifications that focuses on essential needs and eliminates the superfluous to offer greater freedom. Inspired by the original, yet free from nostalgia, to offer a new take on electric mobility, making it fun, affordable and more human. It’s not about replicating the past. It’s about reinventing the idea that made it a success.

Intended to sit between Ami and C3, the 2 CV model will be manufactured in Europe, with a target starting price of around 15,000 euros. This approach that goes against the grain of a market where cars are becoming even larger, heavier, more sophisticated and more expensive: simple and clever, lighter and more efficient. At 3.76 m, the 2 CV concept is shorter than the original 2 CV. This is a deliberate choice to recapture the pleasure and agility of small cars, whilst making driving and parking easier. Agile, easy to live with and full of personality, it breathes new life into a long-neglected category. A controlled weight results in a smaller, more cost-effective battery, with a range tailored for everyday use and low running costs. 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. Getting behind the wheel of the 2 CV Concept means tackling your daily journeys with a smile.

The design challenge for Citroën was to create a dialogue between heritage and innovation. To breathe new life into an icon, not by copying it, but by reinventing its design language to ensure it is fully rooted in the present day. At the front, round headlamps set apart from the bodywork, an expressive LED signature, a sculpted, sweeping bonnet, integrated air intakes and exposed windscreen wipers. Looking at the side, you will find a vertical windscreen, a curved and flowing roof, rounded wings, contoured door handles, tapered indicators on the C-pillar, 18-inch steel wheels inspired by the 2 CV, and Michelin tyres 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.

Inside, the 2 CV Concept captures the spirit of the 2 CV in a comfortable, bright, warm and welcoming environment. The design opens up the space and leaves more room for passengers with no traditional dashboard, recessed door panels, wide and inviting seats featuring Citroën Advanced Comfort® technology, and a pull-out front seat to turn a break into a truly relaxing experience. The model features a removable storage basket in place of the centre console, door handles made from soft straps, and solutions designed with practicality in mind. In place of the dashboard is a cylinder to which a single-spoke steering wheel, a single control lever, a paddle-shift gear selector and a Citroën Smart Vision display are featured prominently. Alongside an 8-inch square ‘phygital’ touchscreen, with graphics inspired by comic books. “Radioën”, a detachable radio that doubles as a speaker and accompanies occupants both inside and outside the vehicle. A fabric sunroof, which brings in light a sense of openness and a feeling of escape. On board, nothing is superfluous; everything is intuitive. Technology supports the user’s needs without being intrusive, prioritising the pleasure of travelling comfortably and with peace of mind.

The 2CV plays with a palette of bright, warm colours to convey optimism and vitality. The Red exterior, derived from an orange base with yellow and red highlights, adds intensity. Inside, an iconic 2 CV motif, the tartan, has been reimagined and covers the seats in zesty shades of yellow for an energising interior. On the floor, the dashboard and door panels feature a textured fabric inspired by cane and basketery. A basket combining wood and bio-based plastic, produced using 3D printing, and wood around the ‘Radioën’ unit are present. Light grey steel wheels highlighted with yellow ‘colour clips’ bearing the 2 CV inscription.

The design of the 2 CV Concept is also evident in a multitude of details: a way of forging a close connection with the 2 CV’s heritage. The sound of the horn and the electric motor when turning on the car echoes that of the 2 CV. 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 tyres feature an exclusive chevron pattern, whilst the number plate displays the various nicknames given to the 2CV 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 2 CV.

Ahead of its reveal at the Paris Motor Show 2026, Xavier Chardon, CEO of Citroën mentioned: “Reinventing the 2 CV 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.”

With the 2 CV Concept, Citroën isn’t content merely to look in the rear-view mirror to revive the past: it is reinventing an idea that has lost none of its relevance. A more accessible, lighter and more essential electric car that puts freedom and pleasure back at the heart of mobility. A new 2 CV, faithful to the spirit of the original but resolutely focused on the uses and challenges of tomorrow. Because an icon cannot be copied. It must be reinvented.

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