This is an independent design study by Dejan Hristov for the modern regeneration of Citroën 2CV that is neither related to nor approved by Citroën.
Despite having a glorious history, Citroen seems to be negative about following the popular retro-inspired trend among EVs, including the choice of VW ID. Buzz, Fiat 500, and Honda e. However, this did not deter independent designer Dejan Hristov from proposing a rebirth of the iconic Citroën 2CV that could return as an electric crossover with minimal design.
Hristov admits that 2CV has inspired many young designers, but says that most of them are afraid to be true to the word. This applies to Citroen’s own design studio which has used components from the first generation C3, C3 Plural, 2009 REVOLTe Concept and the recent Ami Heavy Quadricycle from 2CV, but has never properly revived.
Instead of trying to redesign the wheel, the designer retains the iconic silhouette of the original 2CV (1948-1990), which includes the rounded shape of the roof, the pronounced fender, and the featured bonnet.
See also: This Easy Time Recovery with 1987 Citroen 2CV Recover
Dark LED headlights, minimalist grills, beautiful surfaces on the sculptural bodywork, mirror-replacing cameras, and full-width taillights bring the 2CV to modern times with a striking twist. Instead of going for a conventional Superman mini hatchback, the designer went for an enhanced crossover look.
This was achieved by large-diameter turbine-style alloy wheel shades and increased ground clearance on grippy tire sets. The plastic cladding is confined to the bottom of the bumper and side seals, keeping the look exquisite. True to its essence, a large portion of the roof retreats to the open-air driving experience.
What really differs from the 2CV era is the equipment, as modern buyers cannot live without the lack of manually operated wipers and air conditioning. Thus, the 2CV EV’s five-seater cabin will have all the necessary amenities including an infotainment touchscreen, climate control, electric windows and a proper audio system.
In terms of dimensions, the 2CV EV is 381 mm (15 inches) larger than the original, resulting in a length of 4,241 mm (167 inches). It will fit into a modern B-SUV like the Peugeot 2008 that measures 4,300 mm (169.3 inches). Although the design study is speculative and cannot escape the digital world, the STLA of a 2CV EV Stellantis can be judged from its footprint based on the small platform.
As we mentioned earlier, this is not the first time we have seen an independent design study based on classic Citroën models like the Spartan 2CV and the stunning DS. However, we have to admit that the 2CV EV will create a splash in the urban crossover world, proving that the timeless design of the original looks great when combined with modern styling signals.
