Citroën is reportedly in the early stages of developing a modern successor to its legendary 2CV, more than three decades after the original ceased production. Preliminary design work on the revival of the no-frills classic, credited with mobilizing post-war France, is underway. While Citroën had previously denied plans to reintroduce the 2CV, this latest move reflects a shift in strategy, spurred by the success of retro-inspired models like the Renault 5.

The Renault 5, launched with a starting price of £22,995 (around RM132,000), has been a runaway success in France, selling 9,973 units last month—1,721 more than Citroën’s new ë-C3. Its popularity has also boosted Renault’s share of the French electric car market from 16.3% to 23.2% in just one month.

Unlike the Renault 5, which imagines an evolution of its classic design, the revived 2CV is expected to closely mirror its original counterpart’s aesthetic. Citroën has already shown its appetite for retro design with the new Ami, unveiled at the 2024 Paris Motor Show. The Ami borrows design cues from the classic 2CV, such as distinctive round headlights, wing indentations, and Citroën’s historic logo.

According to Autocar, Citroën’s design chief, Pierre Leclercq, hinted at the possibility of more retro-inspired models at this year’s Brussels Motor Show. While stopping short of confirming the new 2CV, he acknowledged that the philosophy behind such models remains significant. “We’re not closing the door [on retro designs], but I think the philosophy is important,” he said.

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