Citroën Unpacks 7 Concept Cars, Debuts ELO Electric Model at Rétromobile 2026
Citroën opens a 512 m² immersive stand at the 50th Rétromobile Show in Paris, showcasing seven concept cars and presenting the ELO electric concept to the French public for the first time.
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What Happened
From January 28 to February 1, Citroën participates in the 50th Rétromobile Show at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles with a 512 m² stand in Hall 7.2. The star attraction is the ELO concept car, a compact 4.10-meter, 100% electric vehicle with a central driver's seat and panoramic windshield, making its French debut. Six other concept cars from Citroën's history, including the 1939 2 CV A and the 2007 C-Cactus, are also on display.
- ELO (2025) – 100% electric, 6-seater minivan-inspired concept
- 2 CV A (1939) – One of four surviving prototypes, fully restored
- C 10 (1956) – Aerodynamic 'water drop' design
- Karin (1980) – Futuristic pyramid with central driving position
- Activa 1 (1988) – Pioneer of heads-up display and intelligent suspension
- Xanae (1994) – Visionary minivan with swiveling seats
“The brand is proud to return to the Rétromobile Show on the occasion of this 50th anniversary edition, to celebrate Citroën's history of innovation and creativity through concept cars that marked their era: from the 1939 2 CV concept to our new ELO concept, presented here for the first time to the French public.”
A rare 1939 Traction Avant 15-6 Cabriolet, one of only three authentic prototypes, returns to mark the 50th anniversary of the show. Visitors can also enjoy an immersive audio tour via QR Code and meet author Thijs Van Der Zanden for a book signing on January 28.
Why this matters
The display illustrates Citroën's long history of design innovation and its vision for electric mobility, connecting past creativity with future ambitions.
Terms in This Story
- Concept car
- A prototype vehicle built to showcase new styling, technology, or design ideas, not intended for production.
- Rétromobile
- An annual vintage car show held in Paris, focused on classic and collector vehicles.
- Traction Avant
- A classic Citroën model from the 1930s known for its front-wheel drive and innovative design.
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