--- title: "Citroen Could Bring Back the 2CV Because Nostalgia Sells" date: "2025-01-22" modified: "2025-01-22" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/citroen-could-bring-back-the-2cv-because-nostalgia-sells" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Stellantis News" tags: - "2cv" - "Citroen" - "compact" - "Hatchback" --- # Citroen Could Bring Back the 2CV Because Nostalgia Sells ![Citroen 2CV in orange]() *\Stellantis\* The age of electric vehicles has already returned a few legendary nameplates to the road, some more authentically [than others](). One more appears to be mounting a comeback, as a report claims that Citroen is in the early stages of resurrecting the iconic 2CV. While the company hasn't officially confirmed the project just yet, "preliminary design work" is said to be underway, per *[Autocar]()*. Citroen has [denied claims of the 2CV's return]() in the past. However, *Autocar* reports that Citroen's interest was recently piqued after observing the public response to the new Renault 5. (I recently saw one in France and can confirm it looks spectacular.) Renault's electric retro-hatchback is crushing the sales sheet month after month in its domestic market, and Citroen seems to want a piece of that pie. Thankfully, it also has an old, celebrated nameplate to cut itself a slice with. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Earlier this month at the 2025 Brussels Motor Show, Citroen design boss Pierre Leclercq told *Autocar* that not only is a 2CV revival possible—a retro design is, too. "The things you remember from Citroën is not especially that you want to redo the shape of the vehicles that have been good," the executive was quoted. "But we’re not closing the door." There are plenty of question marks surrounding a potential *deux chevaux* comeback, but the biggest one is cost. The 2CV was always a cheap car—that was the whole point. It was supposed to mobilize postwar France by giving the everyman access to a reliable, durable automobile that could be used for anything from commuting to farm work. Of course, Citroen could struggle to make the 2CV affordable, presuming it has an electric powertrain like the popular Renault 5. Fortunately, the company's Smart Car platform, which underpins Euro-market city cars like the Citroen C3 and Fiat Grande Panda, can accommodate both internal-combustion and electric drive, offering some flexibility. Considering that the 2CV always had quite a long hood, it might make sense to stuff a small gas engine under there. ![]() *Renault 5. *Renault** If a new Citroen 2CV is in the works, when could it arrive? The original car's 80th anniversary is coming in 2028, leaving Citroen space for a four-year developmnent cycle. Naturally, we're wondering if there's any chance it could land in the States. Citroen is part of Stellantis, so it's technically possible, though Fiat's recent efforts with the [electric 500]() haven't exactly sent American car shoppers running to showrooms. I love the 2CV; I've wanted one for years. While nothing's official just yet, this report may well be the closest Citroen's ever come to reviving the model. That's enough hope for me. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()