PARIS, FRANCE – One of the most loved cars in history is coming back. Citroën has unveiled the 2CV Concept, a fully electric reinterpretation of the legendary “Deux Chevaux”, at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. The headline figure is the price: Citroën is targeting around €15,000, and it says it intends to put the car into production within the next two years, built in Europe.
The concept was presented by Stellantis the night before the show opened, alongside new concepts from Alfa Romeo, Peugeot, Opel, Fiat and DS, and it quickly became one of the stars of Paris.
An icon for everyone
The original Citroën 2CV was launched in 1948 with a simple brief: to carry two farmers and a basket of eggs across a ploughed field without breaking them, at a price ordinary families could afford. Its soft suspension, canvas roof and tiny air-cooled engine made it an icon of French motoring. By the time production ended in 1990, millions had been built, including thousands of the famous Fourgonnette vans.
The new concept takes the same idea of simple, honest, affordable transport and applies it to the electric age. Citroën describes it as a simpler, more accessible electric car for tomorrow that keeps the spirit of the original.
Retro looks, modern technology
The 2CV Concept measures 3.76 metres long, making it a genuine city car. Its design is unmistakably inspired by the original, with round headlights, a rounded roofline and curved wings, but it is rendered with clean modern surfaces and LED lighting. Citroën calls it minimalist, and the focus is on space and simplicity rather than gadgets.
Inside, the cabin is designed to feel airy and practical, with a spacious interior and a strong sense of the original’s no-nonsense charm. Citroën has not yet released technical details such as battery size, motor power or range, which will come closer to production. As a city car, the focus will be on everyday usability and low cost rather than long-distance range.
A van version too
Alongside the passenger car, Citroën also showed a 2CV Fourgonnette concept, a retro electric van that pays tribute to the much-loved delivery version of the original. With cities across Europe moving towards zero-emission zones, a compact, characterful electric van could find plenty of buyers among small businesses.
Why the price matters
The €15,000 target is the most important part of the story. Electric cars have struggled to reach buyers on tight budgets, and the cheapest models in Europe still often cost well over €20,000. A stylish, practical electric 2CV at around €15,000 would put it head to head with cars such as the Dacia Spring and Citroën’s own ë-C3, and could open electric motoring to a whole new group of drivers.
Building the car in Europe is also significant. It reflects Stellantis’ plan to keep production close to its customers, and it should help keep costs under control as competition from low-priced Chinese electric cars grows.
Part of a bold Stellantis strategy
“The future of automotive design must be both bold and meaningful.”
Gilles Vidal, Head of Design, Stellantis Enlarged Europe
The 2CV is part of Stellantis’ FaSTLAne 2030 strategy, under which the group plans more than 50 new products for Europe by 2030. Reviving one of its most famous names is a smart move: few cars are as instantly recognisable or as emotionally loved as the 2CV, and nostalgia has already worked well for rivals with the Renault 5 and Renault 4.
The retro revival trend
The 2CV joins a growing list of classic names reborn as electric cars. Renault turned the 5 and the 4 into modern electric models that have been praised for their charm, Fiat has the new Grande Panda with styling cues from the original Panda, and Volkswagen built a business around the ID. Buzz, inspired by its classic van. These cars prove that buyers respond to design with a story behind it, especially when electric technology can otherwise make cars look and feel very similar.
What makes the 2CV different is its focus on price. Many retro revivals have moved upmarket, but Citroën’s plan is to stay true to the original’s purpose of being affordable transport for everyone. If it succeeds, the 2CV could once again become the car that puts a whole generation on the road, this time without a drop of petrol.
Will it look like this?
Citroën has been clear that this is a concept, but the brand says it intends to produce the car within two years. Concepts usually change on the way to production, with bigger bumpers, more practical mirrors and simpler details, but the overall shape and spirit are expected to survive. If Citroën can keep the price close to €15,000, the new 2CV could become one of the most important electric cars in Europe.
For Lebanese and Middle Eastern car lovers, many of whom grew up seeing the 2CV on local roads, its return is a reminder of how a simple, cheerful car can win hearts for generations.
Citroën 2CV Concept: key facts
- Type: Electric city car concept, plus a Fourgonnette van version
- Length: 3.76 metres
- Target price: Around €15,000
- Production: Planned within two years, built in Europe
- Powertrain: Fully electric; battery and range to be confirmed
- Original 2CV: Built from 1948 to 1990