A year ago we first saw the Citroën Ami as a prototype; now we have met it in full production form. Built with city life in mind, Citroën’s new 100% electric model is intended to make electrification more accessible, offering a low-cost product/service for urban mobility - and we went to Paris to see it in person.
Citroën Ami for city driving (and no licence required)
To get behind the wheel of this small, two-seat electric city vehicle, you will not even need a driving licence. Approved as a quadricycle - like the Renault Twizy - the Citroën Ami can be driven by young people from the age of 16.
Against its compatriot from the diamond-badged brand, the Citroën Ami places its two seats side by side. Its biggest selling point, however, is that it comes with doors and windows - and, interestingly, the windows use an opening system similar to the one on the 2CV.
Citroën Ami by the numbers
Dimensions and manoeuvrability
In terms of size, the Citroën Ami is genuinely tiny: just 2.41 m long, 1.39 m wide and 1.52 m tall. Those figures make it smaller than the original Smart fortwo (which measured 2.5 m in length, 1.51 m in width and 1.53 m in height).
With a 7.20 m turning circle, the French city car weighs 485 kg - including its 5.5 kWh lithium-ion battery.
Battery, charging, range and performance
On the charging front, the battery can be topped up in only three hours using a 220 V domestic socket. The Ami can also be charged at public charging points or via a Wallbox.
With a range of around 70 km, the Citroën Ami uses a small electric motor producing 6 kW (around 8.2 bhp). As it is classed as a quadricycle, performance is defined by its restricted top speed, capped at 45 km/h.
When does it arrive and how much will it cost?
How the Ami will be sold is another way Citroën aims to broaden access to electrification.
Overall, the Citroën Ami will be offered in three different ways: a traditional purchase option - which can be completed 100% online, with the car delivered to the customer’s home; a 48-month long-term rental; and via carsharing services.
Starting with outright purchase, the Citroën Ami will cost €6,900 in France. The 48-month long-term rental will be available in France for €19.99/month, with an initial payment of €2,644. As for carsharing, the Citroën Ami will be available through the Free2Move platform (a brand owned by the PSA Group) for €0.26/min.
With orders in France due to open on 30 March, pricing for Portugal has not yet been confirmed. As for its expected arrival in the Portuguese market, it is scheduled for the end of the year.
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