Citroën is bringing one of its most recognizable cars into the electric era, with a new concept that reimagines the legendary 2 CV as a small, practical and affordable electric car. Unveiled at the 2026 Paris Motor Show on October 11, the Citroën 2 CV Concept previews a production model that the French automaker plans to introduce by 2028, with a targeted starting price of around €15,000.

Rather than simply recreating the original car with an electric powertrain, Citroën wants to revive the idea behind the 2 CV: making personal mobility accessible, practical and enjoyable without piling on unnecessary complexity. The proposed electric car will be built in Europe and designed to comply with future European E-Car regulations.

The concept also arrives at a time when affordable electric cars remain an important challenge for the European automotive industry. By combining a familiar name with a compact footprint and a deliberately lightweight design, Citroën hopes to offer an alternative to increasingly large and expensive vehicles.

A familiar silhouette with a modern electric identity

The original Citroën 2 CV debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 1948 and became an enduring symbol of French automotive history. Produced until 1990, it earned its reputation through its simplicity, versatility and ability to make everyday transportation accessible to a broad audience.

The new 2 CV Concept carries those principles into a very different automotive landscape. Measuring just 3.76 meters (about 12.3 feet) long, it is even shorter than the original 2 CV. Its compact proportions are intended to make city driving and parking easier while retaining enough practicality for everyday journeys beyond urban streets.

The exterior preserves the original’s distinctive character through rounded bodywork, separated round headlights, a sculpted hood and a relatively upright windshield. The roofline, curved fenders and short overhangs reinterpret the classic silhouette without attempting to reproduce the vintage car exactly.

Other details include 18-inch steel wheels inspired by the original model, a distinctive rear tailgate and modern LED lighting. Citroën has also incorporated practical design choices intended to simplify repairs and production, including separately replaceable bumpers and straightforward body surfaces.

The concept wears a vivid Infra Red finish, with orange, yellow and red tones giving it a cheerful appearance. It’s a reminder that Citroën isn’t treating affordability as a reason to make the car visually anonymous.

An electric car designed to stay lightweight and affordable

Citroën’s €15,000 target is central to the concept rather than an incidental pricing ambition. The company is aiming for a vehicle weighing around one metric tonne, or approximately 2,205 pounds, which could help limit battery requirements and reduce energy consumption.

However, Citroën has not yet disclosed the production car’s battery capacity, driving range, charging speeds, motor output or other detailed powertrain specifications. The concept’s price and weight remain targets, not confirmed production specifications.

The planned model will sit between the brand’s Ami quadricycle and its C3 passenger car, giving customers another option for everyday electric transportation. Its intended compliance with future European E-Car regulations also signals a focus on the emerging category of smaller, more accessible vehicles.

The challenge will be balancing the low price with the comfort, safety, performance and practicality buyers expect from a modern car. Citroën has not yet confirmed the final equipment levels, available configurations or whether the €15,000 target will apply to the entry-level production model before local taxes, incentives or other charges.

A playful interior that puts practicality first

Inside, the 2 CV Concept takes the original car’s uncomplicated philosophy in a distinctly contemporary direction. Instead of a conventional dashboard, the cabin features a cylindrical structure supporting the steering wheel, a control lever and a compact driver-information display positioned within the driver’s field of vision.

An 8-inch square touchscreen handles the infotainment experience, with graphics inspired by comic books. The cabin also features a colorful tartan pattern on its seats, soft-touch design elements and a fabric sunroof that brings additional light into the interior.

Citroën has also rethought the small details. A removable storage basket takes the place of a traditional center console, while fabric-strap door handles and practical storage compartments reinforce the car’s minimalist approach. The door compartments even pay homage to the original 2 CV’s famously practical design brief, which included the ability to carry eggs.

One of the concept’s more unusual features is Radioën, a detachable radio that doubles as a portable speaker. It can accompany occupants outside the car, extending the cabin’s entertainment experience beyond the vehicle itself.

The seats use Citroën’s Advanced Comfort technology, and the concept includes a pull-out front seat designed to make taking a break more relaxing. These features give the interior a warmer, more playful personality than the stripped-down image often associated with budget electric vehicles.

Citroën has also included several smaller tributes to the original, from playful rabbit and tortoise symbols on the accelerator and brake pedals to details referencing the 2 CV’s long history. The numbers 48, 90 and 26 on the windshield mark the original’s launch year, the end of its production run and the concept’s unveiling year, respectively.

What the €15,000 electric 2 CV means for buyers

If Citroën can bring the production model to market close to its intended price, the electric 2 CV could become an important addition to Europe’s entry-level EV market. A small battery, low vehicle weight and compact dimensions could make particular sense for drivers whose daily routines involve commuting, shopping and other relatively short trips.

Still, the concept leaves several important questions unanswered. Its real-world driving range, charging performance, safety equipment and final cabin configuration will help determine whether it can serve as a genuinely versatile everyday car rather than simply an attractive urban runabout.

Availability is another consideration. Citroën says the vehicle will be manufactured in Europe and aims to bring it into its lineup by 2028, but it has not announced a detailed launch schedule, final production specifications or a confirmed list of markets.

For now, the 2 CV Concept is a preview of what Citroën wants affordable electric mobility to look like: compact, colorful, practical and a little unconventional. Its success will ultimately depend on whether the company can translate that charming concept into a production car that delivers on its price ambition without losing the simplicity that made the original 2 CV special.