- Citroen is reinventing its classic 2CV for the electric age, according to a report.
- The project is at an early stage but will probably use the new e-C3’s platform.
- Renault’s big order bank for the retro 5 EV has caught Stellantis’ attention.
Citroen is resurrecting its most famous car as an EV. A new report claims Citroen is at the early stages of bringing back the iconic 2CV as a charming, low-cost electric vehicle to battle models like the Dacia Spring, and the result could launch in 2028 to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the original.
More than 3.8 million units of the 2CV, nicknamed the tin snail for its shape and slothful performance, were built between 1948 and 1990. It’s universally recognized and much loved, but somehow the model missed out on being rebooted during the same late 1990s, early 2000s retro boom that gave us cars like the New Beetle Mini, Fiat 500 and Dodge Challenger. And in 2019 Citroen said it wasn’t interested in making a new 2CV.
Related: Citroen Partners With Caselani To Turn Berlingo Into A Modern 2CV Van
But Autocar claims a senior Citroen source confirmed the project is happening, although it’s at the early stages. The report also says Citroen has been moved to act after watching rival Renault score a bullseye with the new 5.
The EV-only 5’s retro charm and temptingly low price has made it a hit with buyers, who have snapped up far more of them in the car’s native France than they have of Citroen’s own new, small EV, the e-C3. And to rub salt in the wound, the 5 was recently crowned Europe’s Car Of The Year, relegating the C3/e-C3 to third place in the process.
Now imagine a reskinned e-C3, an EV using the same Stellantis Smart Car platform also found on models like the Fiat Grande Punto, but displaying some classic 2CV styling cues like bug-eye headlights, a curving roofline and maybe even covered rear wheels. It’s easy to see the appeal, both to Citroen and to buyers. And since the original 2CV was also available as a van, there’s potential to attract commercial customers, too, with some rear bodywork mods.
What other classics would you you like to see automakers resurrect as EVs? How about a BMW 02, Fiat X1/9, Jeep Grand Wagoneer or Citroen Mehari? Leave a comment and let us know.
Note: the images at the top of this page and in the gallery below are by Dejan Hristov and are neither related to nor endorsed by Citroën. You can read more about his hypothetical 2CV reboot by clicking here.
