When the Renault 4 hit the market in 1961, Citroën felt compelled to respond. The 2CV had been a bestseller for years, but the R4 offered a modernity and practical luxury the 2CV had never had before. Citroën therefore wanted a new, affordable model that would fit between the 2CV and the Ami 6: the Citroën Dyane .
CEO Pierre Bercot commissioned the rapid development of a more modern version without sacrificing the concept of simplicity and ease of use. This led to the creation of one of Citroën's most beloved models: the Dyane.