Zum Comeback der Ente: Citroën 2CV: In Paris lernt die Ente wieder das Fliegen

In Paris' Montmartre, a chilly autumn evening unfolds, as the city's neon signs cast their glow. The film in one's mind begins to play, envisioning Paris as an eternal beauty. The timeless Edith Piaf echoes through the air, and images of Brigitte Bardot, Jean Gabin, and Jean-Paul Belmondo adorn the cinema posters. The iconic red rotors of the Moulin Rouge twirl as they did a century ago.

Yet, one vehicle remains constant in this cinematic world: the duck. Originally designed for the countryside, the duck's utility lay in its ability to transport eggs safely across farmlands, a feature that explains its ergonomic design and its ability to navigate tight curves and roundabouts. Introduced at the 1948 Paris Motor Show, the duck initially produced just 9 PS and, over five million units were manufactured until 1990.

It evolved from a farmer's handyman to a beloved car for students, artists, and idealists who harnessed its spirit to challenge the status quo. Despite being 36 years since its production ended, the duck still fits perfectly in Paris. Its diminutive size makes one feel oddly small beside a Smart car, yet surprisingly roomy. It navigates cobblestone streets of Rue Lepic as easily as it does the twists around the Arc de Triomphe, and its speed is adequate for a ride along the Seine or up the Champs-Élysées.

True, navigating the Paris Periphery becomes challenging, and the 2CV itself brakes for large trucks on national routes. Yet, in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, the duck swims freely. With skilled handling of the revolver gearshift, one can even outmaneuver other vehicles at traffic lights or glide through gaps like a scooter. The boxer engine may only produce 40 Nm, but the duck's lightweight 600 kg mass helps.

Its revolvershift and bucket seats, spandexed, the tiny tachometer, and the whirring air-cooled two-cylinder engine that bravely brays against the city's nocturnal noise are all part of the experience. As it glides past the Étoile on its way down the Champs-Élysées, one holds one's breath, smiling. At just past eleven, it heads down the Champs-Élysées.

The luxury storefronts gleam, club bouncers stand guard, and amidst the sleek black limousines, the duck seems like a sparrow among peacocks. The star of the city, people point their phones at it. Arriving at the Place de la Concorde, the journey continues along the Seine, passing illuminated bridges and the last excursion boats, until the Eiffel Tower shines brilliantly in the windscreen.

At full hour, it begins to glow, waiting for us - and for a few minutes, the old sheet metal becomes the star of the city. The longer one drives the duck through the Parisian night, the more one feels the timeless idea, and the less it surprises that the French are reviving this idea. The duck is back as an electric vehicle. After reaping ample rewards for the rebirth of R4, R5, and Twingo, Renault aims to prove that Citroën's classic can also enjoy an electric comeback.

However, Citroën plans to maintain its focus on affordable mass mobility. With the new M1Et class, Citroën aims to promote Brussel's initiative of producing small, affordable electric cars across Europe. "Renewing the 2CV doesn't mean replicating a product from the past," said Citroën's CEO. "It means interpreting the qualities that made it unique: its simplicity, accessibility, and the freedom it offered its users."

And yet, grandparents and grandchildren share a fondness. The recently unveiled 2CV concept at the Paris Salon echoes the stand-alone headlights, the curved roof, the ventilation slots beneath the front grille, and of course, the foldable fabric roof. At just 3.76 meters, it's shorter than the original, and the target weight is around one ton.

Front headrests are designed for transporting eggs, and the duck's journey to the production line in 2028 is imminent. Painted in a vibrant orange called Infra Red, it rolls on 19-inch steel wheels. The seats feature a newly designed checkered pattern, and the steering wheel and switches shimmer in beige, paying homage to the Bakelite of the original duck.

Instead of door handles, there are seatbelt buckles, the horn sounds like Grandma's, the gas pedal features a hare, and the brake pedal bears a turtle. The front windshield displays the numbers 48, 90, and 26 for premiere, production end, and concept. The revolver gearshift has been replaced by a lever on a control cylinder behind the steering wheel. The old duck remains coveted and surprisingly affordable.