The Citroën 2CV’s soft suspension was deliberately tuned so softly that the car’s body could roll up to 45 degrees during hard cornering before the outer wheels would actually lose grip, a design philosophy so counterintuitive that it made the car feel unstable to conventional drivers—yet this extreme body roll actually allowed the tires to maintain contact with the road surface longer than stiffer-suspended competitors, making the 2CV’s apparent handling deficiency functionally superior for real-world traction on unpaved roads and loose surfaces.
Car Fact #117 — October 11, 2026
