Citroën Brings Back the 2CV as a Sub-€15,000 Electric City Car

Citroën Brings Back the 2CV as a Sub-€15,000 Electric City Car

After 36 years away, Citroën's legendary 2CV is coming back — this time fully electric. CEO Xavier Chardon confirmed the project earlier this year at parent company Stellantis's investor day in Michigan, with a concept set to debut in Paris on October 11 and a production version expected in 2028, the 80th anniversary of the original. The target price: under €15,000.

The "tin snail" returns after 36 years

The 2CV is one of the most famous names in French motoring history. Unveiled on October 7, 1948 at the Paris auto salon and built until 1990, more than 3.8 million rolled off the line over 42 years, its rounded "snail" shape and radical simplicity becoming the symbol of post-war mass mobility in France. The Mini, the Beetle and the Fiat 500 all got retro rebirths around the turn of the century — the 2CV never did. As recently as 2019, Citroën said publicly it wasn't interested.

The change of heart starts with a concept. Over the past week Citroën has drip-fed teaser images on social media: a grooved hood, semi-circular LED headlights protruding from bulbous fenders, retro door handles, indicators on the C-pillar and an illuminated double-chevron on the nose. Design director Pierre Leclercq shared them on his own profile with the caption "exciting time."

Under €15,000, built in Europe

Chardon set the tone high at the announcement: "In 1948 the 2CV gave freedom of mobility to millions, and 80 years later, the new 2CV will democratize electric mobility." He promised the reboot will be "100% electric" and built entirely in Europe, priced below €15,000 (about $17,400) — "the true people's car designed for real life."

Based on what's been disclosed, the new 2CV is an urban runabout under four meters long, smaller than the C3, effectively replacing the discontinued petrol C1. It will share its underpinnings with a reborn Fiat Panda and be built at Stellantis's Pomigliano plant in Italy — two people's cars attacking the entry level together. Expected range is around 250 kilometers, aimed squarely at city commuting.

The Renault 5 effect

Why the U-turn is no mystery to the industry: rival Renault forced Citroën's hand. The electric Renault 5, with its retro styling and tempting price, has pulled in well over 100,000 orders in France, spent time as Europe's best-selling retail EV, and was crowned European Car of the Year — pushing Citroën's own e-C3 into third place.

Stellantis also announced this week an "e-cars" push: small EVs costing at most €15,000 under several of its brands, all produced in Italy. The new 2CV is the flagship of that plan. As one analysis put it, nostalgia plus affordability is Citroën's most direct play for share in a stagnant European market.

Aimed straight at the Dacia Spring

The new 2CV lands in Europe's most hotly contested segment: entry-level EVs. The Dacia Spring has long been the benchmark at this price, and the Renault 5 proved "retro plus cheap" can win both hearts and wallets. Citroën's bet is that the 2CV name carries at least as much affection, while shared platforms keep costs down.

For buyers, the good news is more choice: the same platform and factory will also produce an electric Fiat Panda. The entry-EV price war is about to get livelier in 2028.

Concept now, production in 2028

The concept goes on show at the Paris Motor Show opening October 12, with the production car due in showrooms in 2028, marketed mainly in Europe. Two years remain between concept and production, and the design still has to clear modern safety standards — how much of the teaser's rounded charm survives is a question for the production reveal.

But the direction is set. "The future of mobility will not be won by the most complex cars, but by the simplest and the most intuitive ones," Chardon said — a script the 2CV wrote 80 years ago.