Would the 2CV be to France what the gondola is to Venice? In any case, our good old deudeuche has the claim: it will be exhibited at the Grand Palais on the occasion of COP 21 from 4 to 10 December 2015 with a brand new electric motor, the first one approved by the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy.
Back to the future
At the origin of the deuche, the TPV (very small car) project began in 1939. The specifications were simple: to offer an affordable and robust vehicle, capable of transporting four people at up to 60 km/h, that would require only 3 l/100 km. This last point, difficult to achieve at the time, is curiously very topical!
Citroën had a lot of ideas to create this little car, which still has no equivalent in the 1930s. All the participants in the programme come up with ideas, each one more impressive than the last, to finally give life to an ambitious project. Nine years later, in 1939, the first prototype of the Citroën 2CV is launched on the market and 250 cars are about to be manufactured. Unfortunately, the beginnings of the Second World War appeared and the project had to be put on hold.
It wasn't until 7 October 1948 that the Citroën 2CV made its first public appearance at the Paris Motor Show, creating a general astonishment, from the most sceptical, convinced that this little car would never find a buyer, to the most enthusiastic, amazed by its flexible and revolutionary suspension. More than 5 million units were sold worldwide!
Production of the Deudeuche came to a definitive halt in 1990, but its entry into history has only just begun, with a worldwide automotive success that has never been equalled.
Reconciling mythical cars and sustainable development
On the occasion of COP21, the 4 wheels under one umbrella travel agency, a key player in Paris Region tourism, is offering a new way to (re)discover Paris, aboard the most legendary convertible car, driven by a private driver. With its characteristic face that can be identified from hundreds of metres away, the 2CV remains the mythical French car par excellence.
After five years of R&D and steps, 4 wheels under 1 umbrella obtains the prototype approval and the patent allowing it to develop ecological and sustainable urban tourism. Marguerite has just been (re)born!
The project was supported by CITROËN and received a grant from the Regional Tourist Development Fund, initiated by the Ile-de-France Region and the Paris Ile-de-France Regional Tourism Committee.
"Developing ecological and sustainable urban tourism has become an unavoidable requirement. We are responding to it through innovation, and will gradually convert the CITROËN 2 CV fleet to electric power (1)". says Florent Dargnies, president and founder of the travel agency.
Our national deudeuche will once again mark the history of this Parisian landmark with Marguerite as it will be on display there from December 4 to 10. "We wanted to be part of this highlight at COP 21 and help mobilize civil society for innovative climate solutions. It is also a beautiful symbol that the CITROËN 2 CV is returning to the Grand Palais for the occasion. says Florent Dargnies.
The Citroën 2CV: 50 years of history of a legendary car | INA Archive
(1) L'agence 4 roues sous 1 parapluie is an incoming travel agency specializing in the French art of living, offering escapades and rallies in CITROËN 2 CV. It is a member of the associations Croissance Plus and 100,000 entrepreneurs.
