Citroën 2cv's humble heart: the m28 engine that made it a legend

The Citroën 2cv is an automotive icon that transcended its purely utilitarian purpose. Engineered to motorize post-war France, it succeeded with an elegantly simple, affordable, and dependable vehicle. And the M28 engine that powered the Citroën 2cv deserves much of the credit for its enduring success.

From humble beginnings to italian design

The story of the Citroën 2CV begins in the late 1930s. André Lefèbvre, Citroën's chief engineer, and Flaminio Bertoni, responsible for the car's distinctive lines, worked tirelessly to create a vehicle that would transform French mobility. The goal was clear: an easy-to-drive, low-maintenance, and rugged car capable of handling France's poor roads.

Citroën delivered the 2CV in 1948, and its instant popularity led to a 42-year production run, with over 5 million units sold before it was discontinued in 1990. At the heart of the 2CV's success was the M28 engine, an Italian-designed, two-cylinder boxer unit.

The m28's italian roots

Walter Becchia, a highly experienced Italian engineer, is credited with developing the M28 for Citroën. Rather than simply fixing the original engine's flaws, Becchia spent a week designing a completely new two-cylinder unit. The resulting M28 featured a hemispherical head with valves angled for optimal combustion and a 6.2:1 compression ratio, achieving a modest 9 horsepower at 3,500 rpm and 19.6 Nm torque from 2,000 rpm.

Building on the M28's success, Citroën continued to develop and refine the engine. The A53 model, with its 425cc displacement and 66mm bore, delivered 12 horsepower, a 33% increase over the original M28. Later versions reached 18 horsepower, while the A79/1 engine, introduced in 1968, boasted 26 horsepower and 29.4 Nm torque from its 435cc and 68.5mm dimensions.

By the time the V06 engine debuted in 1978, the 2CV's power output had tripled since its inception. With 35 horsepower and a sophisticated electronic fuel injection system, the V06 was the most potent boxer engine ever fitted to a 2CV.