Cute Citroen Ami EV makes debut
Battery-powered Citroen Ami is designed for the city and can be driven by 14-year-olds in FranceCreated to rival cars like the battery-powered Smart ForTwo, the two-seat Ami measures in at 2410mm long, stands 1520mm tall and is 1390mm wide – making it both shorter and narrower than its chief opposition.
Those petite dimensions gift the tiny Ami a nifty 7.2-metre turning circle, handy for manoeuvring the narrow streets of European cities.
Borrowing its styling cues from the 2019 Geneva motor show AMI One concept, the production car pinches the show car's common panels that sees either door and the front and rear body panels interchangeable.
That means while the passenger door features a conventional front hinge, the driver benefits from a rear hinge making it easier to get in and out.
Created specifically for French legislation that allows it to fall under laws governing quadricycles, the Ami is capable of being driven by 14-year-olds without a licence.
That, perhaps, explains the Ami's modest performance.
Powered by a 5.5kWh lithium-ion battery that gives a range of just 70km, the Ami has a top speed of just 45km/h.
Inside, the Ami features a back-to-basics cabin with a rudimentary infotainment system mounted to the steering wheel.
Instead of a proper boot, the Ami only packs a small storage space behind the seats and an additional recess behind the passenger's feet.
When it arrives on sale in March, the Ami will be offered in four colours with differing graphics to help personalise it. On the options list Citroen will offer a storage tray, smartphone mount, storage net and a bag hook.
As well as traditional cars, Citroen claims the weatherproof Ami is also a rival to the growing trend of urbanites purchasing expensive electric bikes or scooters.
In France, the Ami costs just €6000 ($A10,000) outright or, with a $A4500 deposit, can be rented for 48 monthly payments of €19.99 ($A33.)
Carshare schemes will also offer the Ami in urban areas.
Once the Ami is launched in France, Citroen says it plans to offer it in Spain, Italy, Belgium, Poland and Germany.
There's no word on exporting it to Australia – but that seems unlikely because for now the Ami is not offered in right-hand drive.
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