Citroën 2CV 1979–1990 car dimensions: 3830 mm long, 1480 mm wide and 1600 mm high. Unladen weight is 560 kg. Braked towing is 400 kg.
The cabin is simple and functional with basic instrumentation limited to a speedometer, fuel gauge and voltmeter. Heating comes from engine heat exchangers with controls for warm air to the feet or windscreen demister, plus a fresh-air flap under the screen. A full roll-back canvas roof opens the interior fully. Rear seats remove easily. Seat belts are fitted as standard. No electronic driver aids appear.
Boot space measures 160 litres with the rear seats in place. The seats lift out completely to free the entire rear compartment for larger loads, and the fabric roof can roll back for oversized items.
Maximum towing is 400 kg with a braked trailer and 270 kg unbraked. Payload capacity is 335 kg based on 560 kg unladen weight and 895 kg gross vehicle weight.
The long-travel interconnected suspension maintains ride and handling with full load. Removable seats and open roof support light utility and farm work.
The cabin is simple and open with basic fabric seats on tubular frames that lift out easily for picnics or extra space. A full-width canvas roof rolls back fully or halfway for open-air driving and a wide view. Fresh-air vents and basic heater provide climate control. The soft, long-travel suspension soaks up bumps for a floating ride even on rough roads. Dash holds only essentials like speedo, fuel gauge and voltmeter.
602 cc air-cooled flat-twin runs on unleaded petrol with attention to valve clearances.
Seat belts standard from 1970. three-point from mid-1972. inertia-reel from 1977.
Front disc brakes fitted from 1981. drums earlier.
Chassis front designed to fold as crumple zone.
Rated comparable in safety to other small cars of the era.
The 602 cc air-cooled twin from 1979 is efficient and long-lived. It accepts unleaded fuel provided valve clearances stay correct. Fuel use stays modest thanks to the light weight and simple design.
Servicing stays straightforward with the air-cooled layout and few complex parts. Body panels bolt on for easy access and repair. Regular greasing of suspension points and kingpins keeps the ride and steering sweet. Chassis rust needs watching, though galvanised replacements exist.
Safety kit centres on seat belts that became standard early in the period and improved to three-point then inertia types. The platform chassis crumples at the front in a controlled way. Handling feels secure within the car’s modest speed range thanks to the soft independent suspension and rack steering. Brakes gained front discs later in the run.
Living with the car means accepting limited performance but enjoying low running costs, easy DIY work and a huge parts network. Keep the canvas roof sealed and the chassis dry to avoid rot. The removable seats and open roof make it practical for everyday use and leisure.
Length 3830 mm, Width 1480 mm, Height 1600 mm, Wheelbase 2400 mm (2CV 1979–1990)
Sources: manufacturer data, media.stellantis.com Citroën press/data sheet, carfolio.com/automoli.com/cultureauto.fr.