There are cars. And then there are cars that become part of a country's identity. The Citroen 2CV is firmly in the second category. For over four decades, it was the everyday ride of rural France, a symbol of simplicity, freedom, and getting things done without fuss. And now, nearly 36 years after rolling off the production line for the last time, it is coming back. This time, fully electric.
Citroen CEO Xavier Chardon made the announcement during a Stellantis investor day held in Michigan, keeping his statement short and to the point: "The 2CV is back! Citroen is back. Back to the future."
The 2CV gave freedom of mobility to millions in 1948. The new 2CV will democratize electric mobility. The true people's car, designed for real life.
What the New 2CV Will Look Like
A prototype is scheduled to make its global public debut at the Paris Motor Show this coming October, which is fitting given that the original 2CV had its world premiere at the same event back in 1948. Industry insiders who got an early look at the design say the new EV keeps the bones of the original very much alive: the signature domed ribbed hood is there, the retro protruding headlights are there, and the overall silhouette still unmistakably says "2CV". Some minor structural adjustments may be needed to meet modern safety and aerodynamic standards, but Citroen is clearly intent on keeping the spirit of the original intact.
Price Point That Actually Means Something
The target price of under EUR 15,000 (roughly USD 17,400) is what makes this genuinely significant. Electric vehicles at this price point are rare in Europe. Most affordable EVs still hover well above EUR 20,000. If Citroen can hit that number in production, the new 2CV could do for electric mobility what the original did for car ownership in postwar France.
The car will be part of Stellantis's broader affordable EV initiative, with production planned at the Pomigliano d'Arco plant in Italy. Market launch is expected within the next two years.
A Legacy Worth Reviving
The original 2CV, nicknamed "la deudeuche" (two horses), launched in 1948 to give working-class France access to personal transport. It was a runaway success, generating years-long backlogs through the 1950s. Over its 42-year life, it evolved through beloved special editions like the Charleston, the Dolly, and the yellow "007" model released alongside the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only. Strict European emission standards finally ended production on July 27, 1990, at its final plant in Portugal.
By going fully electric, Citroen neatly sidesteps the emission issue that killed the original and positions the 2CV for another long run. For Dubai's growing community of EV-curious buyers who value character over corporate blandness, this one is worth watching.
