The Citroën 2CV Sahara 4x4 Was Just Crazy Enough to Work (2024)

This is part of a feature we call Autoweek Breaks Down, where we bring you a smattering of stories tied to a weekly theme. The aim is to deliver automotive content that entertains and enlightens but that doesn’t necessarily follow the news cycle. This week Autoweek Breaks Down Madness.

The Citroën 2CV is an almost poetically simple car. Conceived before WWII and put into production in its wake, it was meant to get rural France on the road; as we recently explored, it featured a flat-two engine that powered the front wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. It is both robust and elegant in a way that few other mass-produced vehicles are.

And in that light, the the Citroën 2CV Safari, its rare 4x4 variant built between 1958 and 1971, seems like needless complication—an insanely convoluted way to add two more driven wheels to the straightforward 2CV. That’s because Citroën's engineers added 4x4 functionality in a way that can only be described as highly lateral: It installed an extra engine in the back.

The French have always done things a little differently; I think this is because France developed an independent auto industry very early, and that industry followed its own unique evolutionary paths. The results were sometimes very forward-looking (the now-common front-engine, front-wheel drive, for example) and sometimes just plain weird. But as some English guy once said of that country across the Channel’s automakers, “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.”

Consider the typical approach to four-wheel drive. There’s only one engine, obviously, and it sends power through a transmission to a transfer case. The transfer case then pushes that power to the driven axles. There are many benefits to a transfer case; often, such a setup allows drivers to select between two- and four-wheel drive, which is convenient for a vehicle that is designed for off-road and highway use. A transfer case can also function as a transmission of sorts, adding extra low-range gears for heavy-duty crawling.

Though it is generally accepted as the “normal” way of doing things, this route adds complexity as well. Automakers looking to incorporate a transfer case-based 4x4 system must either invent that system or procure one from a supplier (see GM’s relationship with NAPCO). If a vehicle isn’t designed to accommodate multiple driven axles from the get-go—and the Citroën 2CV was not—there’s the matter of routing drive shafts where drive shafts were never meant to be. In Citroën’s case, this would have necessitated lifting the 2CV or sacrificing space in the flat-floored cabin.

If Citroën was planning a big push into the off-road vehicle segment in the early 1960s, perhaps the investment in a conventional four-wheel-drive system (and a vehicle built around it) would have made sense; indeed, it would later take that course with somewhat more successful 4x4 versions of the Méhari. In this modern era, though, with four-wheel drive (and all-wheel drive) commonly offered on all sorts of vehicles, we forget that it simply wasn’t that common when the Sahara debuted. 4x4 vehicles were niche offerings purchased by people who needed them to do specific things, like patrolling the deserts of northern Africa—Algeria was a French colony until 1962, remember.

And with that in mind, two engines were the most expedient, logical way forward for what Citroën knew was going to be a low-volume vehicle.

You can watch a Sahara in action in this nicely shot video, which is not in English. Some, like the subject car here, seem to lack the hood-mounted tire (which helps give it a tough look):

In this case, both engines operate totally independently; they even have separate fuel tanks. Use the front engine, and the Sahara functions like a conventional FWD 2CV. Top speed is apparently around 35 mph. Kick on the rear, and you’ve got four-wheel drive—and a top speed of 60 mph, which should sound terrifying if you’ve ever been in a 2CV. Because the 2CV weighs about as much as a medium-sized wheel of brie and has a compact footprint, these 4x4 Saharas reportedly possessed goatlike agility off-road.

And the twin-engine motor did offer one additional benefit: Redundancy. If one motor broke, you could limp home on the other. Handy, if you’re roaming across an African desert.

The Citroën 2CV Sahara 4x4 Was Just Crazy Enough to Work (3)

The Lane Motor Museum’s 2CV Sahara. Business in the front...

The Citroën 2CV Sahara 4x4 Was Just Crazy Enough to Work (4)

...and also business in the back.

According to the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, which has a 1962 Sahara in its eclectic collection, just 694 Saharas were produced. Only 100 or so are believed to survive, which makes it one of the rarer 2CV variants out there.

If you needed further proof that this approach to four-wheel propulsion wasn’t totally crazy, take a look at a modern electric car. From a Tesla to a Porsche Taycan to a Bollinger, all-wheel drive typically means separate (albeit digitally linked) drive units: one in the front, one or sometimes two in the back. Some automakers have considered going even further, using one motor per wheel. The concept is the same as the Sahara, but the advent of electric motors has streamlined and simplified its implementation. It’s vindication, of a sort, for Team France.

I still think you’d have to be a special sort of nuts to max one of these thing out, though. Flying over Algerian sand dunes at 60 mph in a twin-engine Gallic tin can: Now that’s real madness.

The Citroën 2CV Sahara 4x4 Was Just Crazy Enough to Work (5)

Graham Kozak

Graham Kozak has been fascinated with cars for as long as he can remember (probably before that, too). As Autoweek’s features editor, he aims to document the automobile as a unique, powerful cultural artifact and explore the incredible stories and unforgettable personalities that make up our ever-changing car culture. In his spare time, he does everything within his power to keep his pair of Packards (a ’48 and a ’51) running and enjoys long, aimless drives. He aspires to own a Duesenberg someday.

The Citroën 2CV Sahara 4x4 Was Just Crazy Enough to Work (2024)

FAQs

What is the top speed of the Citroën 2CV Sahara? ›

On the road, you can drive with both engines running giving you a top speed of 60 mph. You can also drive on the front engine only but the top speed is reduced to 35 mph. Because of its light weight (1600 pounds) and 50/50 weight distribution, it has great off-road capabilities.

What was the Citroën 2CV designed for? ›

France at that time had a large rural population which could not yet afford cars; Citroën used the survey results to prepare a design brief for a low-priced, rugged "umbrella on four wheels" that would enable four people to transport 50 kg (110 lb) of farm goods to market at 50 km/h (30 mph), if necessary across muddy, ...

Is Citroën 2CV reliable? ›

The Citroën 2CV is a reliable car, but then that was kind of the whole point when Pierre Boulanger came up with the idea to help motorise his equine-dependant compatriots in the late '40s.

Does Citroen make 4x4? ›

Citroen SUVs, 4x4 and Crossovers

From the popular Citroen C3 Aircross with its city car exterior and SUV interior to the new Citroen e-C4 Hatchback with its huge 217 miles of range, Citroen has a great range of SUVs, 4x4 and crossover cars to suit almost every need.

What is the fastest Citroën in the world? ›

California's Mullin Museum is expanding its fantastic Citroën exhibit this spring with three new vehicles, and the star is clearly the 1971 SM that was clocked at 202.3 miles per hour at Bonneville in 1987.

How many gears does a 2CV have? ›

Transmission: Front wheel drive, 4 forward gears. Final drive ratio 4.12:1.

How many miles per gallon does a Citroën 2CV get? ›

Citroën 2CV (40MPG+)

The original model could achieve 40 miles per gallon (mpg). That's not bad for a vehicle that weighs 1,300 pounds! The 2CV has been around for 70 years; but many still consider them to be among the most reliable cars ever made.

Was the Citroën 2CV sold in the US? ›

Nine horsepower and a fabric roof was woefully inadequate to work for large swaths of America, but Citroën sold roughly 1000 Citroën 2CVs in the States.

What is the modern equivalent of the Citroën 2CV? ›

The closest modern equivalent in Citroën's lineup is the Berlingo, a more traditional but still very quirky compact van. Citroën is now reviving the spirit of the 2CV van with the new Berlingo 2CV Fourgonnette, an officially licensed retro makeover kit for the Berlingo.

How much is my 2CV worth? ›

Early 2CVs are much prized even if they offer the least performance and most basic driving experience. As you can see using The Hagerty Price Guide, an early 375cc model will command £15,000 for a good one, while concours examples fetch more than £26,000.

Are Citroens easy to repair? ›

With a reputation for accessible replacement parts and efficient engines, Citroen models exemplify a combination of affordability and reliability, making them a sensible choice for those seeking a stress-free ownership experience.

What is the nickname for the Citroën 2CV? ›

There is no other car that has so many nicknames as the 2CV, whose name (deux-chevaux) refers to its two tax horsepower. The Dutch were the first to call it the Ugly Duckling, English nicknames include Tin Snail, Dolly and Upside-down Pram.

Why is there no Citroën in the US? ›

Citroën's Disappearance

The company hasn't sold a car in the U.S. in nearly 50 years due in part to regulatory problems, and it didn't manage to merge into the mainstream when it operated a U.S. division. It has fared better in Europe as well as Central and South America, though its path hasn't always been smooth.

Is Citroën owned by China? ›

Citroën (French pronunciation: [sitʁɔɛn]) is a French automobile brand. The "Automobiles Citroën" manufacturing company was founded in 4 June 1919 by André Citroën. Citroën has been owned by Stellantis since 2021 and previously was part of the PSA Group after Peugeot acquired 89.95% share in 1976.

Is Citroën owned by Jeep? ›

Stellantis India, the company that owns the Jeep and Citroen brands, has announced a price revision for both brands effective from 30 April, 2024. While all the models of the Citroen will undergo a price revision, only the Compass and the Meridian from the Jeep brand will receive a price hike.

What is the top speed of a Citroen 2CV 602cc? ›

The 2CV Special gets the 602cc engine. All 2CVs get a 6.5 gallon fuel tank instead of 5.25. New rear view mirror. 29 hp, top speed 71 mph.

How much horsepower does a Citroën 2 Chevaux have? ›

CITROEN 2CV 0.6L 4MT FWD (29 HP)
ENGINE SPECS - 0.6L 4MT FWD (29 HP)
Cylinders:H2
Displacement:602 cm3
Power:21.3 KW @ 5750 RPM 29 HP @ 5750 RPM 29 BHP @ 5750 RPM
Torque:29 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 39 Nm @ 3500 RPM
2 more rows

What is the fastest hyper car in the world? ›

So let's see this engineering marvel and some of the fastest cars in the world.
  • BUGATTI BOLIDE : +310 MPH (ESTIMATED) ...
  • BUGATTI CHIRON SUPER SPORT 300+ : 304 MPH. ...
  • KOENIGSEGG JESKO ABSOLUTE: 300 MPH. ...
  • SSC TUATARA : 283 MPH. ...
  • KOENIGSEGG AGERA RS: 278 MPH. ...
  • HENNESSEY VENOM F5 : 272 MPH. ...
  • BUGATTI VEYRON 16.4 SUPER SPORT : 268 MPH.
Apr 25, 2024

What was the fastest car in the world 1970s? ›

Also known as the 930, the Porsche 911 turbo stood proud as the quickest car built in the 1970s. It posted a 0-60mph time of 5.5 secs when it made its debut in 1975 with a 3.0-litre engine, and the 3.3-litre flat-six introduced in 1978 slashed that time to 4.9 secs.

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