There's been loads of reports in the last 24 hours of that supposed "new" 2cv for the Frankfurt motorshow. I know the articles seem to claim it harks back to the original, but I just don't see it. Where's the same ethos behind this shiny motor...? So it's a bit round, there's five doors and one styling line looks like the Charleston swoop. Doesn't make it a 2cv...

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default ... ryId=20584

I do like the modern take on classic cars (especially the new FIAT) but given the price of these cars, the original idea is all but forgotten. There's no way a modern 2CV would be as practical, cheap or as much fun to own as ours.

I reckon if anything, they could try and modernise the original existing design, if nothing else to make it a bit more capable of todays driving conditions, but then again - the primitiveness and slowness is part of why I like them

Hi Bertie, they may seem like that at first, but the longer I drive mine the less primitive is seems. And unless on a deserted motorway, mine certainly isn't slow. I find the car has hidden qualities, which the more you ask of the car the more they reveal themselves. Modern cars I find overweight and overpowered. The 2CV has just enough power, which combined with a fine chassis and roadholding, accurate steering and powerful brakes mean it can be driven swiftly. I wouldn't call any of these attributes 'primitive' - what slows the car most is other drivers who slow for corners then accelerate quickly into straights. I do sometimes wonder when I read remarks like this if other cars are well-below par, or maybe mine is just an extra good one? You can only go so fast on most British roads before you become a danger to yourself and others, even on Mways 90-100mph is the realistic limit - so why is your average family diesel packing over 200lbft under the bonnet? Unnecessary, but it makes up for poor driving - you don't really have to engage your brain!

I think the car in the pic above is purely a cynical marketing exercise, designed to cash in on the market for retrospective fashion. Citroen has waited a long time to do this, if it is - the BMW Mini has been out years now so perhaps the cute-looking Fiat Cinquecento has forced their hand.

Personally, if you want a modernish, classic-looking smallish car full of Peugoet parts, why not buy a 205? I don't like Pugs really, but the 205 (apart from its steering) was perfect in most ways, especially the diesels and 1.6GTi .

People seem to have become so marketing-led these days - how I long for the accuracy and directness of Car magazine, as it used to be. Even in the late 80s when the car was labelled 'primitive' by the clones at 'What Car', they absolutely adored the 2CV, as well as other proper Citroens.

206 1.6GTi...? Doesn't that contradict your point about overpowered cars?!

I actually agree with your point. I decided my next car (eventually) will be a 2cv when I was driving along the M2 in my VW bus at 60mph (no point pushing it much past that) with a big grin on my face. I realised I don't grin like that when I'm doing 85mph in my company Passat.

...and I spend much more time looking at the sat nav/computer/radio/blackberry than the road.

New 2cv should at least have a few trademark parts surely?

Of course, you're right dd but did you notice I didn't include the 1.9. The 1600 was plenty fast enough with (by today's tandards) just 105hp, later uprated to 115. I thought it was a sweet car, though 0-60 in 9 secs and 115mph wouldn't be considered quick by today's standards. Truly fast, though, in a way no German car ever could be.

exactly max... i was hoping a "new 2cv" would have a new kind of aircooled flat twin... maybe an 800cc turbocharged or something like that... a light but stiff body, panels that can be taken off by loosening some bolts... and maybe some headlights in little pods separate from the body...

but i recon modern car designers want them to look shit when they are new...

has anyone seen a new ford that "looks like its moving" when it isnt.......? lol

i tried designing a new 2cv ages ago in my lil scrapbook.... i basically drew what i wanted to see, and added the qualities i wanted... it turned into a normal 2cv but with a flat4 and a modern bodyshell

Porsche has customers rich enough to fund that sort of indulgence - the 911 with its flat six has slowly been tamed into an EU-fearing, law-abiding machine, relatively safe in a novice's hands and still with a flat six sitting behind the rear axle. I doubt if Citroën does... and Peugeot were never known for their risk-taking.

The 2CV, along with the DS, GS and CX was a freak of the car industry - engineered properly - beyond what most considered possible for the mass-market. Citroën showed the customer what it really needed, not what it thought it needed.

As well as making inconceivably huge amounts of money, the company was sold - effectively bust - twice (although the first time was for dubious reasons). The chances of what today is a downmarket manufacturer trying to sell cars on the basis of engineering philosophy is zilch. People who spend tens of thousands buy for these reasons. Nowadays, those who buy everyday transport usually just want reliability, reasonable economy and a decent sales pitch. And sufficient credibility to prevent them being a laughing stock at work - it took Skoda many years to regain respectability.

If energy costs spiral, we'll once again have free-thinking. Until then, unfortunately, it will be more of the same. God-fearing in-line fours, increasing digital complexity and cheapo running gear. Look to India and China for inspiration. Makes your 2CV look better value by the minute, eh?

I think the 'new' versions of classics (mini, bug, 500, etc...) are more of a marketing thing to shift more cars. I'm glad citoren havent released a '21st century' 2cv. granted the 500, bug, mini all take styling cues from their namesakes, but I feel a 21stC 2cv should take the ideology from its namesake.

Ok so nobody really needs to drive a car over a ploughed field without braking a basket of eggs thats being sat on by a sheep while a farmer does his wife on a removable picnic bench or whatever the design brief was.... however a small but roomy, economic, easy to maintain, reliable car would, particularly in this climate, be a good move. In many ways the C1 does this admirably.

samfieldhouse, the C1 does fulfil the role in some ways, and should be good - it is a Toyota. But the car which most closely represents what the 2CV stood for today is the Tata Nano, small wheels notwithstanding.