Citroen's 2CV reported set to return as a compact electric car, 3.76 m long
Citroen's 2CV, first shown in 1948, is said to be returning as an electric hatchback, but the company has not said when it will launch in India.
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With petrol and diesel getting costlier every day and household budgets under strain, people are turning to electric vehicles. Against this backdrop, French carmaker Citroen is reported to be making a big move. There is strong talk that the company's oldest and most memorable car, the 2CV, will return in an electric avatar.
The car brings the Maruti Alto to mind: small, compact and easy to drive in the city. It could be a good option for small families and for daily commutes to the office. However, the company has not yet said when the car will launch in India.
The Citroen 2CV is not a new car. It was first unveiled in 1948, about 78 years ago. Its design was very simple then and its price was not heavy on the pocket. For this reason it was seen in homes across Europe and became a favourite.
The company is now combining that old name and memory with new technology. It once ran on petrol; now it will run entirely on charging. When the concept was shown at the Paris Motor Show, all eyes were on it. If the car does reach the market, it is bound to create a stir in the small EV segment.
The new 2CV is only 3.76 metres long, a small hatchback. Among the company's cars sold in Europe, it will sit between the Ami and the C3. Citroen's biggest plan is to keep its weight under 1,000 kg. The lighter the car, the less battery it needs and the more range it gets.
Customers stand to benefit directly. With a lower battery cost and lower servicing costs, buying this EV would be possible for the common buyer too. On looks, the company will retain the old 2CV's rounded, cute look. Inside there will be new features, a bigger screen and a new dashboard, a good blend of old-world design and today's technology.
In India, the Alto and WagonR sell because they are small and affordable. The 2CV is similar, so if it comes to India people are likely to like it. It is being said that the company is working on two versions, an ordinary hatchback and a small pickup-style model. Which of these would come to India has not been decided.
For Europe, the company is considering a price of 15,000 euros, which works out to about Rs 16 lakh. But that is the European price. If it is manufactured locally in India, the price would come down considerably. For now, the company has issued no official information on an India launch date, price or bookings.
