Citroën has officially confirmed the return of a legend. The iconic 2CV is being reimagined as a fully electric city car slated for a 2028 release, with a concept reveal expected in late 2026.
For a recent MOTOR Magazine feature, I was tasked with bringing this highly anticipated revival to life through a series of dedicated illustrations.
Here is a closer look at the reborn "Tin Snail" and the design philosophy behind my renders.
A New Era for the French Icon
Designed to combat soaring new-car prices and re-democratize motoring, the upcoming 2CV is targeting a game-changing starting price of just £13,000 (€15,000).
Built on parent company Stellantis’s cost-effective "E-Car" architecture and utilizing an LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery, the new 2CV prioritizes practicality over excess. It will sit comfortably in the lineup between the Ami quadricycle and the ë-C3. With a sensible 160-mile range, it is positioned as the ideal vehicle for urban commuting and school runs, offering a genuinely accessible EV for everyday drivers.
Translating the DNA: The Design Breakdown
The goal of these illustrations was to bridge the gap between Citroën's historic legacy and its electric future. Rather than presenting a simple, lazy parody of the original 1948 classic, my renders aim to successfully translate the 2CV’s core DNA into a modernized, 21st-century format.
Here are the key design elements highlighted in my artwork:
- The Iconic Silhouette: I focused on capturing the recognizable "snail-shaped" profile and high roofline. Measuring under four meters long, the design guarantees a compact footprint for tight city parking while visually communicating the surprisingly spacious cabin headroom the original was famous for.
- Heritage Signatures: The illustrations spotlight historic cues, such as the distinctively flared wheel arches and the protruding headlights. For the modern era, these headlights have been updated with a crisp, circular LED light signature.
- The Roll-Back Roof: A brilliant nod to the open-air simplicity of the classic "Deux Chevaux," the renders feature a massive canvas sunroof, preserving the unique charm and breezy driving experience of the original.
- Approachable Aesthetics: Borrowing subtle influences from Citroën's recent design language, the artwork actively avoids the aggressive, overly sporty styling that has become common in modern EVs. Instead, the illustrations convey a sense of friendliness, simplicity, and practical charm.
The Soundtrack of a Comeback
To accompany the release of these renders, I also produced a short 55-second showcase video featuring a custom retro-chanson soundtrack. With punchy lyrics celebrating the return of the weightless, charming city car, it perfectly captures the 1950s Parisian vibe fused with modern electric optimism.
By balancing nostalgic emotion with modern, budget-conscious utility, these illustrations visualize Citroën's ultimate goal: delivering a humble, characterful, and highly practical people's car built for the electric era.
