new Citroën 2CV

[SDNR]

A French contribution to recent rivivals of iconic cars of the 20th Century

Citroën 2CV

Here's proof that Citroen is set to come out of its shell when it comes to car design - because the 'tin snail' is back!

These pictures show how a successor to the 2CV is shaping up. Boasting a thoroughly modern interpretation of the classic design, it has its eyes on the lucrative family car market.

Based on insider information, our pictures show what you have to look forward to. Taking over where the Evoque concept car of 2005 left off (Issue 865) the shape is instantly recognisable and couldn't be confused with anything else.

As Fiat has done with the 500 and VW with the Beetle, Citroen has followed the current trend for reinventing classic models. By cashing in on the charm of the original 2CV, the French firm is set to launch into uncharted territory - going up against prestige models such as BMW's MINI. With the same curved bonnet, slab sides and covered rear wheels, it looks just like the original 2CV, which first appeared in 1948.

Trademark details such as the slatted bonnet and double chevron grille remain intact. But with flush-fitting windows and faired-in lights, the shape has been given a modern update. It promises to be extremely eco-friendly, too.

With car firms ever more concerned about their impact on the environment, the 2CV will be a showcase for Citroen's green technology. It's likely to be made from plastic body panels, and with power coming from a hybrid diesel engine (see below), it should boast low fuel consumption and emissions.

As with the exterior, the cabin will draw on its famous predecessor with a minimalist look. A large, thin-rimmed steering wheel dominates the interior, while the fixed central hub contains controls for the stereo. There will also be a retro speedometer, and as with the original car, the gearlever will be mounted in the centre of the dashboard.

However, while the 2CV was designed to be cheap and cheerful, the newcomer will feature lots of hi-tech kit as standard, including sat-nav and connectivity for the latest handheld gadgets.

As with the MINI, personalisation will be a big part of the 2CV's appeal, with contrasting body panel colours, seat trims and the option of a full-length sunroof. It's possible the Citroen could feature panoramic glass, as well as a removable canvas top.

Under the skin, the 2CV is likely to use platform architecture from the C3 supermini and C4 hatch, featuring a front-wheel-drive layout and a comfortable driving experience.

The new model will be positioned above the C3 in Citroen's range, and will carry a premium price. Although the firm is tight-lipped about production, our sources indicate that a concept version could appear in 2009.

autoexpress.co.uk

 

[SDNR]

Here's a design concept for a retro DS.

 

[wltsm]

I hope Citroen don't mess up these redesigns, they only have one cool car in the line up at the moment, and that's the C6, all the others look boring IMO!

 

[SDNR]

I agree with you Will. Actually, I don't like this Retro 2CV at all. I love the original though.

If it was up to me, Citroën would not pursue this idea.

I would much rather see this be put into production. For me, it is much more interesting and desirable than the new Fiat 500.

Citroën C-AirPlay

 

[Giannis]

Actually i like the new 2CV as posted in your first post. (those pics are quite old actually, but anyway...)

Since i share the same opinion as Will, which means i find the current Citroen lineup boring, apart from the C6 which is quite interesting actually, i've been trying to find ways for Citroen to boost up its sales again, and regain the image of the glorious past.

I think that one way that could lead to success, is reviving some of the historic models, like the 2CV and the DS. We see that it has worked with MINI, Fiat and the others who tried this. So why shouldn't Citroen follow this road, too?

 

[El Zorro]

Why pay for a full rim if you can see only half of it?

I like the first picture Rob posted, but the AutoExpress chops are quite hideous... I mean, the doors come straight from a C3 and don't suit the styling of the 2CV at all.

I wonder if they're gonna put a L-shaped gear lever in the dash, like it used to be on the old 2CV (where you had to pull and turn the gear lever to switch gears). They used to have a 2CV in my father's family... funny cars They also had those (plastic?) windows, of which the lower part could be flipped over so you could put your arm on the door and cruise around in your bling bling machine

For those who don't know:
2CV stands for "deux chevaux", which is French for "two horses". It referred to the horsepower number of the first models, although I think they had at least 30 HP or so??

 

[SDNR]

Hi Giannis,

The way I see it is, as you said, Citroën has a great past ...and the best attribute of that past was the innovative and avant-garde attitude in the way their cars were engineered and designed.

I believe it would be far more in keeping with the true history and culture of Citroën if they pursue unique and innovative new designs for their cars rather than fall back on the past -- Retro design is so lame actually.

This whole current trend for Retro designs is really not contributing much to the auto market IMO.

Besides, I think Nissan created the best Retro design car 18 years ago!

The limited batch production 1989 Nissan Figaro had more style and character than the VW Beetle and Fiat 500 combined. The Figaro is now considered by some to be a classic car.

 

[Giannis]

2CV stands for "deux chevaux", which is French for "two horses". It referred to the horsepower number of the first models, although I think they had at least 30 HP or so??

i think at that time french horsepower was different from the british hp which we use today... i searched wikipedia, but it isn't clear...

 

[Giannis]

Hi Giannis,

The way I see it is, as you said, Citroën has a great past ...and the greatest attribute of that great past was the innovative and avant-garde attitude of the way their cars were engineered and designed.

I believe it would be far more in keeping with the true history and culture of Citroën if they pursue unique and innovative new designs for their cars rather than fall back on the past -- Retro design is so lame actually.
This whole current trend for Retro designs is really not contributing much to the auto market IMO.

You have a strong point Rob!
My point is that Citroen is not doing well, compared to the brands past. IMO, they are trying to compete in the segments small citicars, and affordable family cars, like the Ford Mondeo. This is not a bad thing, but i don't think that Citroen is competitive enough to have a bright enough future!

The quality is very low. That C3 sucks! The doors are lighter compared to a daily newspaper and close like you close a cupboard in your kitchen! Also the engines are far behind the rest of the world. How would buy a small citroen, C1, C2, C3 and even C4 with the 1.4l engine which has an output of 80hp (8 valves...) while the rest of the cars have 16 valves engines and more or less, 20hp more for the same money!

Moreover, Citroen is building up a design identity with its latest designs, see C4 and C6. It's ok, but not much. Just like Peugeot. They have the 207 design, and change the proportions, strech it a bit, and make another 5 models out of this...

What i want, is to see Citroen going innovative again, just like it did in the past! Where are those mindblowing designs of the past, or the technologic innovations? IMO, Citroen has to strike again design-wise. If it could be via retro designs, then be it!

After all, MINI and FIAT did it and they are succeding up to this point!

Cheers Robert!

 

[MikeJ]

For those who don't know:
2CV stands for "deux chevaux", which is French for "two horses". It referred to the horsepower number of the first models, although I think they had at least 30 HP or so??

That refers to tax horsepower, apparently based on engine dimensions rather than power output.

 

[El Zorro]

That refers to tax horsepower, apparently based on engine dimensions rather than power output.

Should have thought of that myself
Giannis, interesting comment... I didn't know the French used their own horsepower scale in the past.

 

[Giannis]

Giannis, interesting comment... I didn't know the French used their own horsepower scale in the past.

Hey, i'm not sure. I just think they had their own scale, but i wasn't much enlighted by wiki....

 

[vabboud]

tax horsepower iss till in use in one of its derivatives in lebanon
today when a new car si regsitered its atx is absed on several things including engine size
for example my mazda 323f 1995 1.6liter engine is registered as 16 tax CV

the french tax horsepower of the era was different from the one we use now in lebanon, it was engine capacity in .1 of liter divide by 2
so a 2Cv had circa 400cc of capacity, in fact the figure ranged from 375 to 425cc for the first models

the later 602cc engined cars were officially though not popularly called 3CV

 

[Giannis]

tax horsepower iss till in use...

actually we use it here too! My S60, 2.0 liter has 14 tax HP

 

[vabboud]

which makes till now three different deffinitions, one in lebanon where tax hp = engine capacity in 100cc
in french where its is in 100cc /2
and in greece with some other wizardric interpretation

 

[kostenzer]

To me the picture of the retro DS above is awful.

I would like something like this:

I hope you love this one to.

I would like a vector picture of it, so I can enlarge it without quality lost.
Is there somebody who can do this?