Before getting my dibs on the Deux Chevron, just what's it all about the 2CV? Since the end of the Second World War, the only prototype vehicle from Citroen was exposed to the globe and welcomed this prototype as the Citroen 2CV when it debuted at the Paris Salon in 1948, forever revolutionized the French roads with its odd-looking shape, making it one of the most recognizable cars in the world.
Pierre Boulanger, Citroen's president at that time, wanted it to have a simple structure and a ride quality good enough not to break a basket full of eggs while driving on country roads. He also wants this car to be good enough for passengers to sit inside while wearing silk hats and capable of reaching 50kph while carrying four people and 50kg of luggage. When the car was launched, it passes Boulanger's conditions.
Early models are powered by a horizontally-opposed 2-cylinder OHV engine producing 8HP of power but it gained numerous improvements before production was ceased in 1990. From 1948 to 1990, Citroen produced 3,872,583 units not only France but also from Belgium, United Kingdom, Argentina, Uruguay, Portugal, and Chile.
Inside the world of James Bond, the 2CV appeared in For Your Eyes Only where Bond nicked one of these on a getaway car chase scene. In honor of its appearance, Citroen made a special 2CV 007 model as well. Richard Hammond sampled one in the "50 Years of Bond Cars" special of Top Gear.
In a "Car vs. Boeing 747 Engine" episode of Top Gear, the 2CV got destroyed into pieces when it was blown by the power of the Boeing 747 Engine.
In Clarkson: Heaven and Hell, Jeremy Clarkson drives the Citroen 2CV and then later destroyed it.
Hmmm...How ironic. Top Gear is NOT a fan of the 2CV, in fact, they went into considerable lengths to destroy it but how come a change of heart prompted to love about it? Is it because the Harris Monkey has got one of these? No, there's more than that, because the 2CV is the car that changed French history in the same way Ford did theirs with the Model T so there's something special about it. This 2CV I'm driving in the game produces 33HP and 31lb-ft, so it may not be as much by modern standards but in its time, that's an improvement compared to the past 2CV in history, although it's not as much as the one Bond nicked one in For Your Eyes Only.
There's so much to talk about the 2CV apart from its capability to drive on country roads without breaking an egg while wearing silk hats, going to the maximum speed while fully occupied, and despite being front-wheel drive, it can be quite uncanny to plan a one-make race series with this car. I know, such thing exists and because of its lightweight structure despite the small engine, there are endless possibilities to work with the 2CV as long as you are convinced that you got wooed over by the sense and sensibility this Deux Chevron provides and at the end of the day, it can almost win your heart in every tangible way. Anyway, there's no time to be sentimental because since I'm at the Top Gear Track, it's time for me to see how fast this French icon goes and this might take a long time. Still, it makes a nice footage for me to watch it over and and over. Roll the tape.
I did it in a 2:11.546, which is pathetically slow but I had a lot of fun driving the 2CV round the track.
Love it or hate it, the 2CV remains one of the most important cars ever emerged in France since the end of the Second World War and deep down, it can be a real charmer for everyone who aren't interested in meeting people driving in ultra-expensive sportscars. With so much to tell about how good the 2CV, you'll make wonderful stories with it.
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