New Models Citroën 2CV: First Impressions of the New "Duck"

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With the announcement of a new 2CV, Citroën has electrified more than just 2CV nostalgics. The hype surrounding this electric car with its distinctive shape is enormous. We’ve already taken a detailed look at this modern-day 2CV at the brand’s own design studio in Paris.

First impressions are often decisive. And with the new 2CV, it’s entirely positive: This is exactly what a 2CV should look like these days—that was the first thought that came to mind when the design team pulled the covers off the bright-yellow show car, which wasn’t yet ready to drive. The characteristic curves, the distinctive features, the many small details reminiscent of its predecessors, which were built until 1990: it all fits.

What immediately stands out: The reborn 2CV is a tad smaller than the original. Instead of the previous 3.83 meters (12 feet 7 inches), the new 2CV is 3.76 meters (12 feet 4 inches) long. The proportions have remained largely the same. And the designers have managed to bring the body in line with current tastes by giving it slightly sleeker lines. The 2CV stays true to itself, but in a contemporary form.

Many Quotes from the Original "Duck"

You don’t have to look far to find nods to the past. The rotating door handles, the trunk handle, and the manually operated convertible top—all of these immediately bring back memories of the original without being overly imitative. The round, freestanding headlights with modern LED internals on the curved fenders, the visibly mounted windshield wipers, and the mechanically hinged vents positioned beneath the steeply raked windshield all fit right into the picture. Or the hood, adapted from the historic “TPV” (“Toute Petite Voiture” or “very small car”) project, with its characteristic ribbing.

But that’s not all when it comes to references and nods to the past: Narrow turn signals are located on the C-pillars, the 19-inch steel wheels pay homage to the historic 2CV just as effectively as the black tailgate—which extends all the way down to the bumper—featuring a large brand logo and three horizontal trim elements. A must-have for the development team was the retractable roof, which, when open, sits like a round rear spoiler above the rear window and transforms the new 2CV—just like its predecessor—into a quasi-convertible.

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The Interior is Simple and Minimalist

When it comes to the interior, too, the designers have clearly taken great pleasure in drawing inspiration from the combustion-engine predecessor of the future all-electric 2CV. The moment you step inside, that unmistakable 2CV feeling—one not experienced in many years—comes flooding back. Anyone who climbs onto the 3D-printed front bench seat beneath the rounded door pillar takes a trip back in time—but also lands straight in the future. Specifically, in a very colorful, practical interior with fun little touches. The interior design is kept simple, spatially reduced to the essentials, and thus creates a very airy, spacious feel. Will the front bench seat with its continuous seating surface make it into future series production? That remains to be seen. It’s definitely fun and—when stationary—cozy.

The 2CV Concept features a square, 8-inch touchscreen for infotainment and settings, and there’s still room between the dashboard and the windshield for a mini-display showing a magnified speedometer, charge level and temperature gauges, and a navigation map. In the footwell is a removable storage basket; above it sits the “Radioën,” which can also be removed if needed and is designed to create the right atmosphere with a suitable playlist while driving or spending time outdoors.

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2CV in the M1E Vehicle Class

The controls are mounted on a cylinder flanged to the steering column; the gear selector lever is reminiscent of the “crutch stick” shifter in the old 2CV. And, of course, the horn isn’t located in the center of the slightly oval steering wheel, but rather in the turn signal lever. Citroën promises that the horn’s sound matches that of the historic model. And so does the artificial sound of the electric drive—we’ll have to wait and see. A little joke in the footwell: The brake pedal is decorated with a turtle on the front. The accelerator pedal features a rabbit. According to the explanation from Paris, this is “a tongue-in-cheek allusion to the freedom to drive slowly or quickly.” Small storage compartments are designed for transporting eggs—a tongue-in-cheek reference to a key requirement in the original 2CV’s specifications.

Its successor will be all-electric—that much is clear. It is set to be one of the first models in the new M1E vehicle class within the next two years. Key requirements: a length of up to 4.20 meters (13 feet 9 inches), and compliance with passenger car safety standards and crash test standards for the M1 class. In return—and as a reward for mandatory production in Europe—there will be no mandatory updates for software and driver-assistance systems for ten years, among other measures, to reduce development costs. The goal: full-featured yet affordable electric cars from EU countries at prices around 15,000 euros (about $16,800).

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Very Few Technical Specifications

Citroën is also aiming for this entry-level price with its retro-chic model. Technical details are practically nonexistent so far. Aside from the overall length and the fact that the “target weight” is supposed to be around one metric ton, nothing else has been revealed. What is clear, however, is that the new 2CV isn’t aiming for top performance in terms of battery, range, and driving dynamics. With this target weight, the 2CV will be roughly on par with the current Dacia Spring. That model is powered by a 60-kW (80-hp)  motor and a 27.5-kWh battery and, according to the WLTP standard, has a range of around 250 kilometers (155 miles). One could imagine similar specs for the 2CV 2.0 as well, though—thanks to its lower development costs—it would be priced about 3,000 euros ($3,420) less than the Dacia model, which is offered “under 18,000 euros (about $20,520) ” without subsidies.

After getting our first look at the “Duck” prototypes—Citroën is also bringing back a van called the Fourgonnette—one thing quickly becomes clear: The French have hit the nail on the head with this new little car. It’s the perfect vehicle for these highly complex and complicated times: It’s retro, but not over the top; it’s also fun, clever, practical—and affordable. You don’t have to be a prophet to predict, after its debut at the Paris Auto Show (October 12–18), that it will initially become one of the stars of the 2026 show.