Citroën Dyane

De Citroen Dyane was built between 1967 and 1983, and a total of over 1,4 million Dyanes were produced during that period. Around the second half of the 1960s, sales of the 2CV declined, primarily due to competition from the Renault 4, but also due to its own models with more powerful engines, such as the Ami 6In response, Citroën decided to introduce a new model based on the 2CV and commissioned the design to Panhard et Levassor, an old car manufacturer partly owned by Citroën. This became the Dyane.

The brief from Citroën was clear. The car had to compete with the Renault 4, have a fifth door, be built on a low budget, and fall into a favorable tax segment. The Dyane was also built on the same production line as the 2CV to save costs.

Citroen Dyane

History and background

When the Citroën 2CV conquered Europe in the 1950s and 1960s with its simplicity and charm, something began to bother the French. Competitor Renault had meanwhile launched the R4, a model that looked just a bit more modern and was more practical. Citroën did not want to be left behind, and so the Citroën Dyane was created in 1967, a car that was essentially intended to bridge the gap between the original Deux Chevaux and the somewhat more serious Ami.

The Dyane was developed with the aim of appealing to young families and practical motorists who were looking for a slightly tougher-looking, but still affordable car.

The name “Dyane” was chosen in line with Citroën’s tradition of naming models after girls’ names. Although the Dyane was initially intended as a successor to the 2CV, that workhorse remained so popular that the Dyane always remained somewhat in the shadow of its older sister. Nevertheless, the Dyane became a success in its own right: over 1,4 million units left the factories in France and Spain.

Design and interior

The Dyane featured a sleeker and more angular design than the 2CV, designed by Citroën designer Louis Bionier. Where the 2CV was bulbous and almost comical, the Dyane looked somewhat tougher and more serious, with straight lines and a more modern appearance for the time. The distinctive tailgate was one of the biggest improvements: whereas the 2CV had a separate flap, the Dyane offered a true hatchback opening, making the car suddenly much more practical for loading groceries, suitcases, or a crate of wine (we are talking about France, after all).

Inside, the Dyane remained true to the Citroën philosophy of simplicity. The dashboard was spartan, featuring only the bare essentials, and the seats were simple yet surprisingly comfortable. Naturally, the retractable canvas roof was retained, allowing the Dyane to always transform from a solid hatchback into a summery convertible in just a few seconds.

When Bionier showed the first sketches in the spring of 1965, the Citroën management was not very impressed. The nose was too massive and looked too much like the Ami 6, and the rear was not good enough either. Adjustments were made to the design by Jacques Charreton, who had just joined the company. He ultimately left his mark on the design of the Dyane. The dashboard was designed by Henry Dargent. His design for the Dyane dashboard was adopted virtually unchanged for the Ami 8.

Interior of the Citroen Dyane

Competitors

The main competitors were the Renault 4, the Fiat 500 Giardiniera, and later also the Mini Clubman Estate. All compact, practical cars with a touch of charm.

There is little doubt about the name. It comes from the archives of Panhard. In addition to the brand names Dyna, Dynavia, and Dynamic, they had also registered Dyane. And since Citroën was the owner of Panhard anyway, it was quickly arranged. Any association with the Roman goddess of the hunt is emphatically denied by Opron.

In Flanders, the Dyane and 2CV were colloquially called a "Goat," in contrast to the term "(Ugly) Duck" used for a 2CV in the Netherlands.

The Dyane was taken out of production in 1983 and received no direct successor. In fact, the Citroën Visa took over the role of compact family car, but it lacked a bit of the charm of the minimalist Dyane concept.