Filed under: Concept Cars, Economy
Citroen 2CV reinvented for design contest
Three young French designers decided to modernize the famous Citroen 2CV for the World Automotive Design Competition in Canada. The goal for the competition was to create a world car with universal appeal, so choosing to modernize France's most famous automobile was an obvious choice for the French team. The design philosophy for this concept, called the Evoque, is to take a car that was a budget classic and reintroduce it today as a premium model, very much like what BMW has done with the MINI. The concept has already caught the eye of designers at Citroen, who would no doubt like to enjoy the kind of success that BMW has had with the MINI brand.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Autoguy 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
That's really cool. I hope they bring it back.
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Steve 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I've been wondering to myself for a long time why Citro?hasn't tried resurrecting le CV. This design study looks pretty close to what a production car could look like (although it's certainly going to need mirrors). It'll be interesting to see if Citro?will give it a shot.
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J Zeke 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
As a designer i envy the work done here, it looks really good.
As a consumer, Its nice to see icons given new life, Mustang, 911, Mini... all great designs, all worth careful evolution and updating.
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Tom W 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I'm afraid they have fallen short of their goal of universal appeal. They have, however, succeeded in summoning forth some unpleasant physical sensations that I had completely forgotten existed. Excuse me for a minute.....
Once I got past the looks, I couldn't help noticing the growing list of functional issues that were occuring to me. Do those side windows roll down? How does one change a rear flat? 5mph bumpers?....I don't think so. I realize that this is just a concept, but if the concept does not accurately reflect the finished product then what is the point in making it?
A good design blends form and function in a way that sacrafices neither. By that standard, this design....uh....(Searching for a politically correct term. No luck)...sucks.
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robin.capper@xtra.co.nz 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
The 2cv wasn't about styling or image. It was a brilliant solution to a problem. That it was so simple, so clever and lasted as long as it did is a tribute to the original design. This is not.
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Dick 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
If they make this I'll go get one and bring it Stateside.
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Liam Cottrell (aged 10) 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I think it is absolutely ace !
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Liam Cottrell (aged 10) 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I think it is absolutely ace !
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Nick Dias-Leao 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I think if they offered something along the lines of this design they'd have a winner on their hands
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iQuack 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I wonder what it would look like after Billy Joel wrecks it.
http://tinyurl.com/ccosw
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Brad 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Of course you can change the rear flat! Just like you would on the old 2CV, the lugs are exposed as you jack it up higher.
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Jorge Jorquera 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
Citroen 2CV it's a icon, not only for the brand, but also for an era. I think that the designers of Citroen keep this in mind when they designed the C3 - specifically the C3 Pluriel. But this is a high-cost vehicle, compared with the cheaper, simple, poor equiped (but always good) 2CV.
Anyway resurrecting the 2CV is an option that the Citroen enthusiasts always hope to be made. Let's see what they will do - i think it's closer than far...
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Solomon Broad 11:05PM (12/18/2005)
I dont know what that car is, but its certainly not a 2CV. The main idea behind the 2CV was extremely cheap, easy-to-care-for motoring. Its designed to be simplistic. The panels are literally screwed on.
I doubt that monstrosity above will bear any resemblance to the spirit of the 2CV. I reckon Citroen are just trying to use the appeal that the 2CV had in its heyday to sell it. I dont think anyone used to more modern cars, with things like windows that go up and down, doors that seal against draughts, warning lights, etc, would like driving a 2CV.
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