Citroën is looking to its past for inspiration as it explores more affordable electric vehicles, unveiling two concepts inspired by the original 2CV at the Paris Motor Show.

The electric 2CV Concept previews a proposed production model expected to join the Citroën range by 2028. The 2CV Fourgonnette Concept, meanwhile, revisits the van that once served generations of tradespeople, shopkeepers and delivery drivers.

Both draw on the original 2CV’s emphasis on simplicity and practicality, but their future prospects are quite different.

Electric 2CV targets a ​l​ow starting price

The passenger-car concept measures 3.76 metres long and is designed around the principles that made the original 2CV successful: affordability, practicality and straightforward transport rather than performance or luxury.

Citroën is targeting a starting price of around €15,000 and plans to manufacture the production car in Europe. That is approximately £12,700 at recent exchange rates, although the eventual UK price could be considerably different once taxes, specification and other costs are taken into account.

The production model is expected by 2028, but Citroën has yet to confirm UK pricing or availability.

The proposed electric 2CV comes at a time when many new cars have grown larger, heavier and more expensive. Citroën’s approach is to go in the opposite direction, focusing on a compact footprint and a target weight of around one tonne.

Its 3.76-metre length makes it shorter than the original 2CV. A lightweight design could also reduce the amount of battery capacity required, potentially helping to keep costs down.

However, Citroën has not yet announced the battery size, official driving range, charging speeds or performance figures. Those details will be crucial in establishing whether the production car can offer a practical alternative to more expensive electric models.

The planned car is intended to comply with the European E-Car regulatory framework. Its final production specification will determine how closely it follows the concept.

A familiar shape with a modern interior

The 2CV Concept retains several recognisable features of the original, including separate round headlights, a distinctive bonnet, rounded bodywork and a fabric roof.

Its bright orange exterior and light grey steel wheels give it a characterful appearance without simply reproducing the historic design.

Inside, Citroën has taken a similarly unconventional approach. The concept features a minimalist dashboard, wide seats, an eight-inch touchscreen and a detachable radio that doubles as a portable speaker.

Practical touches include a removable storage basket in place of a conventional centre console and door compartments inspired by the original 2CV’s egg-carrying brief. A fabric sunroof is intended to bring more light into the cabin.

These are concept-car features, however, and it remains to be seen which will make it into the production version.

The 2CV Fourgonnette returns as an electric van concept

Alongside the passenger car, Citroën has presented the 2CV Fourgonnette Concept, a modern reinterpretation of the small commercial van based on the original 2CV.

The historic Fourgonnette became a familiar sight on French roads, providing an affordable and practical working vehicle for small businesses, tradespeople and delivery services.

Citroën’s designers have revisited that idea with an electric concept that applies the same emphasis on usefulness, simplicity and distinctive styling to commercial vehicles.

The design study is intended to demonstrate how the character of the original van might translate to modern working life. It is conceived as the commercial counterpart to the new 2CV passenger-car concept, sharing its philosophy of keeping things simple and focusing on essential needs.

Citroën CEO Xavier Chardon described the original Fourgonnette as more than just a work tool, highlighting its place in everyday life and the distinctive character that set it apart from conventional commercial vehicles.

However, there is an important qualification: Citroën says the Fourgonnette is a design study and does not preview a future production model in the short term.

The company describes it as a passion project created by its designers, rather than a confirmed addition to the commercial vehicle range. No production timetable, price, battery specifications, payload or driving range has been announced.

While the concept may prompt interest from small businesses looking for a more characterful electric van, it should not be confused with a vehicle that customers will soon be able to order.

Can Citroën make affordable electric motoring a reality?

The passenger-car concept is the more significant of the two announcements in terms of a potential new model. At around €15,000, the proposed electric 2CV could sit among Europe’s cheapest electric cars, potentially opening up EV ownership to buyers who cannot justify the cost of a larger electric family car.

But the price remains a target rather than a confirmed retail figure. A competitive starting price would also need to be matched by acceptable real-world range, reasonable charging times and enough space and equipment for everyday use.

Citroën has not yet confirmed whether the model will be sold in the UK, or what specification British buyers could expect.

The Fourgonnette, meanwhile, is a reminder of the original 2CV’s wider role in making transport accessible, including for small businesses. For now, however, it remains an exploration of design rather than a commitment to a new electric commercial vehicle.

The original 2CV became an icon by making motoring accessible to a much wider audience. Citroën’s challenge is to apply that principle to an electric-car market where purchase price remains a significant barrier.

Whether the passenger car succeeds will depend less on its retro styling than on the finished vehicle’s price, range and everyday usability. The van concept adds an appealing second dimension to the story, but for now, only the passenger car points towards a planned production model.

Citroën 2CV Concept: what we know

• Powertrain: All-electric
• Length: 3.76 metres
• Weight target: Around one tonne
• Target starting price: Approximately €15,000
• Production timing: Expected by 2028
• Manufacturing: Planned European production
• UK price and availability: Not confirmed
• Battery, range and charging: Not yet announced

Citroën 2CV Fourgonnette Concept: what we know

• Type: Electric commercial-vehicle design study
• Inspiration: The original Citroën 2CV Fourgonnette
• Purpose: A contemporary interpretation of a practical, accessible small van
• Production plans: No short-term production model announced
• Price, payload, battery and range: Not announced

Source: Citroën / Stellantis, Paris Motor Show 2026.

The post A new electric Citroën 2CV for under £13K? appeared first on Independent UK Electric Car Reviews | AutoEV.

Love it or hate it, you can’t accuse Jaguar of playing safe.

The new Jaguar Type 01 is the first production car of the brand’s all-electric reinvention, and it makes a pretty clear statement: Jaguar isn’t interested in building another premium EV that blends into the background.

Unveiled in New York on 6 October, the four-door electric grand tourer has a long bonnet, enormous 23-inch wheels, a dramatic rear end and no conventional rear window. It looks nothing like the Jaguars many of us grew up with — and that’s very much the point.

But with prices starting at £130,000, according to Jaguar, this is more than a bold design exercise. It’s a high-stakes attempt to establish a new identity for one of Britain’s most recognisable car brands.

And this time, the product has to do the talking.

More than a controversial design

The Type 01 follows the striking Type 00 concept revealed in 2024, which sparked fierce debate about Jaguar’s new direction. The brand’s advertising and rebranding attracted almost as much attention as the car itself, not all of it positive.

The production car has retained much of that concept’s unconventional character. Its clean surfaces, distinctive horizontal detailing and exceptionally long bonnet are a deliberate break from the increasingly familiar shapes of modern electric cars.

There are echoes of classic Jaguars, particularly the E-Type and XJS, in its proportions. But this is no straightforward exercise in retro design.

Jaguar wants to compete at the top end of the luxury market, where standing out matters as much as performance. Whether the Type 01’s looks will win over potential buyers remains an open question. What’s clear is that the company has committed to a vision rather than trying to please everyone.

The engineering is serious

Look beyond the styling and the Type 01’s specifications make for impressive reading.

Built around Jaguar’s bespoke Electric Architecture (JEA), it uses three electric motors producing 1,015bhp and 1,365Nm of torque. Four-wheel drive helps put that power down, with 0–62mph taking a claimed 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 150mph.

A 118kWh battery is expected to deliver up to 435 miles of range on the WLTP test cycle. Its 850-volt electrical architecture supports DC charging at up to 350kW, with Jaguar claiming that 200 miles of range can be added in around 13 minutes under suitable conditions.

Those figures put the Type 01 firmly in the performance-luxury category. But raw power is only part of the story.

Jaguar says the car has been developed to combine effortless high-speed cruising with the agility expected of a sporting grand tourer. Rear-wheel steering, adaptive suspension and sophisticated torque distribution are all part of the package.

It’s an ambitious brief for a car measuring more than 5.2 metres long and weighing around 2.7 tonnes.

Early driving impressions are encouraging — with a caveat

Auto Express has already driven a pre-production prototype, and its early verdict suggests Jaguar may have got some important things right.

Ride comfort, refinement and high-speed acceleration impressed. The rear-wheel steering also helped make the substantial car feel surprisingly manoeuvrable.

However, the car tested earlier this year was still undergoing software development, and the publication highlighted questions over how effectively its various driving modes and suspension settings worked. A final judgement on its handling will have to wait until a more complete production version can be driven.

That distinction matters. The Type 01 has shown promise, but there’s a difference between an encouraging prototype drive and a finished car that delivers consistently on the road.

A luxury interior that breaks the mould

Inside, Jaguar has continued its unconventional approach.

A prominent central console runs through the cabin, separating the occupants’ spaces, while carefully chosen textures and materials aim to create a more distinctive atmosphere than the screens-and-gloss-black-plastic interiors found in many modern cars.

There’s no conventional rear-view mirror or rear window. Instead, a digital rear-view system displays the view behind the car on a screen positioned above the dashboard.

The result is certainly different. But the dramatic design also brings practical compromises: despite its size and four doors, the Type 01 is closer to a 2+2 grand tourer than a spacious executive saloon.

For buyers expecting chauffeur-like rear-seat space, that could be a sticking point. For those who value design and a more intimate cabin, it may be part of the appeal.

The £130,000 question

At £130,000, the Type 01 enters a market where buyers have serious alternatives, including electric performance cars from Porsche and high-end luxury models from established prestige manufacturers.

Jaguar is betting that a combination of distinctive design, British engineering, performance and exclusivity will be enough to attract a new kind of customer.

That’s a significant gamble. The company has effectively abandoned its previous model range to make room for this new, all-electric direction. The Type 01 therefore needs to be more than a good car: it needs to establish the credibility of the entire new Jaguar brand.

Orders are expected to open in early 2027, with customer deliveries anticipated in summer 2027.

Has Jaguar pulled it off?

Three days after the reveal, the Type 01 has certainly achieved one thing: people are talking about Jaguar again.

But attention is not the same as success. The real test will be whether customers are prepared to spend six figures on a car that challenges their expectations of what a Jaguar should look like — and whether the finished product lives up to its considerable engineering promise.

There’s plenty here to be intrigued by. The performance figures are formidable, the dedicated EV platform shows genuine ambition, and the early driving impressions suggest this could be an exceptionally refined long-distance car.

Yet the styling, packaging and price will inevitably narrow its appeal. Jaguar isn’t trying to build an electric car for everyone, and it may not need to.

Our view? The Type 01 deserves to be judged as a car, not simply as the latest chapter in Jaguar’s controversial rebrand. If it delivers the comfort, refinement and driving character promised by its engineers, it could be a compelling new flagship.

If it doesn’t, no amount of attention-grabbing design will save it.

Jaguar has made its statement. Now it needs to prove it can deliver.

The post Jaguar Type 01: Brilliant Reinvention or £130,000 Gamble? appeared first on Independent UK Electric Car Reviews | AutoEV.

Toyota’s bZ4X Touring is a larger, more practical take on the brand’s electric SUV, aimed at buyers who want extra space without moving into a much bigger vehicle class. In this UK first drive review, we look at whether the added length and versatility come at the cost of refinement or driving composure, with prices starting from £45,995.

Early impressions suggest something slightly unexpected: it doesn’t feel like a stretched SUV on the road, and retains more balance than its size suggests.

2026 Toyota bZ4X

Prices and UK specifications

The bZ4X Touring is offered in two trims for the UK market:

• Design (FWD) – £45,995
• Excel (AWD) – £51,695

Standard equipment includes a 14-inch Toyota Smart Connect+ infotainment system, heated front seats, power tailgate and roof rails. The Excel adds all-wheel drive, upgraded interior materials, panoramic roof and an expanded driver assistance package, along with additional comfort and convenience features. Orders open in June, with first UK deliveries expected in July.

Design and practicality

The Touring version is visibly longer than the standard bZ4X, with the extra length focused on improving rear space and load capacity rather than altering the overall design language. It retains the same Toyota SUV identity but leans more towards estate-like practicality, making it better suited to family buyers or those carrying larger loads regularly. Boot space and rear passenger room are noticeably improved, and roof rails come as standard, reinforcing its lifestyle-focused positioning.

Interior and technology

Inside, the layout remains familiar to the bZ4X, with a focus on simplicity and usability rather than visual complexity. The 14-inch infotainment system dominates the dashboard and supports connected services, while physical ergonomics remain straightforward. Higher-spec Excel models bring a more premium feel with upgraded upholstery, ventilated seats and additional digital features, lifting perceived quality without overcomplicating the cabin.

Driving impressions

On the road, the bZ4X Touring is the biggest surprise of the package.

Despite the additional length and increased practicality, it does not feel unwieldy or overly softened. Instead, it retains a level of composure that feels closer to the standard bZ4X than expected.

Ride quality is well controlled and body movement is kept in check, while steering remains predictable and easy to place in urban and motorway driving. Crucially, it avoids the typical “stretched SUV” feeling that often comes with estate-style EV derivatives, making it more cohesive than its proportions suggest.

Performance and range (UK context)

Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions are available, offering buyers flexibility depending on use case. The AWD Excel brings additional traction and a more confident feel in poor conditions, while the FWD Design prioritises efficiency and simplicity. Toyota’s focus here is clearly on usability rather than outright performance, with smooth, consistent delivery suited to everyday driving.

Who is it for?

The bZ4X Touring is aimed at buyers who like the idea of an electric SUV but need more practicality than the standard bZ4X provides.

• Families needing extra boot space
• EV SUV buyers considering Skoda Enyaq or Hyundai Ioniq 5
• Drivers wanting SUV height with estate-like usability

It’s less about performance or innovation, and more about making Toyota’s EV formula more usable in daily life.

Verdict

The Toyota bZ4X Touring succeeds in its core brief: adding space and practicality without noticeably compromising how it drives. The biggest takeaway from this first drive is how unforced it feels on the road. Despite its increased size, it avoids feeling stretched or heavy, and retains a reassuring level of composure.It may not radically change the electric SUV segment, but it does make Toyota’s offering more practical without the usual dynamic trade-offs.

Key specs (at a glance)

• Price: from £45,995
• Body style: Electric SUV / estate-style EV
• Drivetrain: FWD / AWD
• UK orders: June 2026
• Deliveries: July 2026

AutoEV will also be putting the new model through a full 7 Day Deep Dive review in the coming weeks.

The post Toyota bZ4X Touring first drive review (UK) appeared first on Independent UK Electric Car Reviews | AutoEV.

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The company had to be a bit brave for their second #electriccar after the Taycan as they couldn’t just keep adding new models to the range, so they took the plunge and electrified their second best selling model, the compact SUV Macan. But this car will sit alongside the combustion engines car in showrooms for a while, so are Porsche not confident with their latest offering and hedging their bets? Is there something missing from it that doesn’t make it s good Porsche?
Watch now on the AutoEV #youtube channel, we put it through its paces to find out.

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It’s no secret that we are big fans of the MG ZS EV.  Despite being the complete opposite of what the traditional MG was (a small family SUV rather than 2-seater roadster) we always loved the unpretentious way it went about its business with staggering value for money.  The buying public obviously felt the same as they lapped them up in droves, helping MG Motors becoming the fastest-growing brand in the UK.

And now we have a fresh new look for the car, as well as a bigger battery option giving a much-needed range increase and new connectivity, addressing one of our biggest bugbears of the car, it’s poor infotainment system.

Styling-wise, the car gets a new front end with a stamped-effect grille (instead of the original car’s fake one) with the charging port now to the side of the famed octagon badge.  New LED headlamps, distinctive daytime running lights finish the front-end redesign, whilst a new rear bumper and alloy wheels complete the look.

Two new model designations are introduced too, the lead-in ‘SE’ and range-topping ‘Trophy’.  The new 72kWh Long Range battery will offer a range of up to 273 miles according to WLTP measurements, a substantial increase over the current cars 163 miles.  A 51 kWh battery option with a 198 mile range will join in 2022.

All models of the new ZS will come equipped with the new MG iSMART connectivity system, which will bring in smartphone connectivity to the car via an app that will be able to control some functions remotely, such as climate control, security, charging and some of the car’s functions remotely.  A new 10.1-inch tablet-style touchscreen with improved graphics and functionality is at the heart of the new system, along with new instrument cluster and wireless phone charging on eth ‘Trophy’ model.

Prices will be announced in November 2021, with deliveries starting from then.

Along with the practical, if a little plain, MG5 Estate, the brand continues to impress in the EV market with the ZS a consistent fixture in the UK’s top 10 best-selling EVs.  We look forward to bringing you a full test of the new ZS when it is available.

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