France's beloved Citroen 2CV revived as electric car

“The 2CV is back!” said CEO Xavier Chardon said. “Citroen is back. Back to the future.”

The announcement came at an investor day in Michigan by parent company Stellantis, which also owns Jeep, Ram and Fiat, among other brands.

A version of the vehicle is expected at the Paris auto show in October.

At Thursday’s event, journalists and analysts could see an exterior of the revamped 2CV that retains the original contours, with signature features such as a domed and ribbed front hood and protruding headlights.

However, modern road standards may necessitate adjustments once the vehicle enters production.

“It’s a very important moment, because in 1948 the 2CV gave freedom of mobility to millions, and 80 years later, the new 2CV will democratise electric mobility,” Chardon said.

Chardon vowed that the reboot will be “100 percent electric”, entirely produced in Europe and priced at below €15,000.

“The true people’s car designed for real life,” he said. “For me, the future of mobility will not be won by the most complex cars, but by the simplest and the most intuitive ones.”

Citroen officials plan to mainly market the vehicle in Europe, anticipating it will hit retail showrooms in about two years.

Stellantis announced this week a campaign around e-cars, small electric vehicles costing at most €15,000 under different brands to be produced in Pomigliano d'Arco, Italy.

The Citroen 2CV, or “two horses” was first unveiled with fanfare on October 7, 1948, at the Paris auto salon.

Originally fabricated in a single color – grey – the vehicle, nicknamed ‘la deudeuche’, found quick success with consumers, leading to delivery delays in the 1950s.

While keeping the same basic silhouette, subsequent models had greater power and came in a variety of colors.

There were also limited editions such as the Charleston, the Dolly and a ‘007’ version to coincide with the 1981 James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only that featured a yellow 2CV.

Production ended on July 27, 1990, at a factory in Portugal, precipitated by tightening emission standards in Europe.