We already had the opportunity to drive it in Berlin, Germany, about 9 months ago, but only now, when sales start in Portugal, we drive it through the streets of Lisbon. Here's Citroën Ami, a proposal that wants to revolutionize electric mobility in the city.
The Double Chevron brand, about to complete 102 years of life, has a history full of vehicles “out of the box”. This new Ami wants to be another example — successful! — of that very thing. For that, it has a simple design and conception, with very compact dimensions and an attractive price, especially when compared to other similar solutions.
The execution and operation of this Ami may be simple, but Citroën's objective for it is, in fact, quite complex, since the French brand looks at it as a kind of “weapon” to attack the problem of urban mobility in the XXI century.
Perhaps that is why Citroën Portugal describes it as an alternative to electric mobility solutions such as “bicycles, scooters and scooters”. Rita Caninha, Ami's product manager in Portugal, describes it as “an object and a mobility solution for everyone”.
But after all, how do we classify Ami? Well, if we want to be strict we have to call it a “light quadricycle”. This is the official designation of this small electric vehicle, which falls into the same category as the eAixam.
At what age can it be conducted?
This is the question everyone wants to know. During this first contact with the model, we were approached twice by people who wanted to know the legal framework for this tram. And the answer is simple.
Since it is a light quadricycle (or L6e, according to the EU classification), the Ami can be driven in Portugal by teenagers from 16 years old, just having a B1 driving license.
And the size?
Well, the images illustrating this article don't lie: the Ami is very compact. At 2.41m long, it is 28cm shorter than the current Smart ForTwo and 27cm narrower. But remember that this is just a size comparison, as these models differ in everything else.
Constructed from a tubular steel structure, the Ami has a body in polypropylene that stands out for being totally symmetrical, so the front is exactly the same as the rear. The two doors are also the same, with the driver “receiving” a “suicide” style door and the passenger having a normal opening door.
The purpose of all this is, once again, very clear: to simplify. Thanks to this solution, Citroën has managed to reduce the Ami parts list to less than 250 and this not only simplifies its assembly but also keeps costs under control.
You can see it in more detail, inside and out, in the direct we did for our Instagram during the national presentation of the model:
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The result is a model whose total weight is around 485 kg, 60 kg of which comes from the 5.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, mounted on the rear, which gives us a range of 75 km (WTMA, Test Cycle Motorcycle World Championship) and takes three hours to fully charge in a conventional household outlet.
Powering it is an electric motor — mounted at the front — that produces the equivalent of 8 hp and 40 Nm of torque that lets us accelerate to a maximum limit of 45 km/h.
What is it like to drive it?
Interestingly, driving an Ami can be a very… fun experience. Yes, this is exactly what I wanted to write.
If we see it for what it is — a light quad for the city — and focus on what it promises, we quickly realize that it delivers on what it advertises. And this is something few vehicles can boast about.
But having said that, it is important to remember that the Ami does not have safety equipment, ABS or power steering. Much less offers the comfort you would expect from a new car. But then again, the Ami is not a car.
The “suspension” has almost no cushioning capacity and the seats, made from a plastic structure and which only have two cushions (one on the seat and one on the back), are far from being comfortable.
And since we're talking about the seats, it's worth remembering that the driver's seat “walks” forwards and backwards, which allows you to find a favorable driving position, even if the steering column is fixed. Passengers, on the other hand, are not so lucky and only have a fixed seat that is as far back as possible to “free up” space for luggage.
Admittedly, there's no trunk, but there are plenty of stowage spaces in the cabin, including a space that's been specially designed to accommodate an airline cabin suitcase.
But… and on the road?
It doesn't take many kilometers to realize that even though the Ami is electric, it is far from silent. And this is explained by the fact that Citroën did not need any sound insulation. We hear the wind, the engine and the tires. And if we go with the side windows open, which remind us of the late Citroën 2 CV, all this is amplified.
But going beyond that, Ami manages to be much more balanced than we could have anticipated. And certainly the configuration of “engine at the front and battery at the rear” is not unrelated to this. Turning is therefore not a problem for the Ami, which also travels well in a straight line… until we reach a maximum speed of 45 km/h.
Low power and low torque don't allow the Ami's wheels to spin when “we're underfoot” — as we always have to ride this Ami! — and we were able to accelerate from 0 to 45 km/h in about 10s. It seems more than it actually is and often allows you to go out “in front” at the traffic lights.
The direction is very basic and doesn't give us any feeling about what's happening. But it takes the Ami to wherever we want and even not being assisted, this is never a problem, mainly because of the very thin tires that equip this electric. And truth be told, the Ami manages to be quite agile: it has a bridging of only 7.2m.
At the wheel of the Ami, we never get the feeling that “we are the weakest link” in traffic. It is true that 45 km/h are sometimes “short” and that on a parallel road our coasts suffer, but there are many positive aspects to highlight.
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The vertical windshield and very large windows allow the cabin to be flooded with light and remove any feeling of claustrophobia. And here, the panoramic roof also makes an important contribution. However, it will be interesting to see how all this will be on a scorching hot day, as this Ami does not — of course — have air conditioning.
simple… but connected
The Ami does not need “perks” such as radio, sound system or central screen but “invites” users to use their smartphone to get around all this, as well as a Bluetooth speaker (which can even be “tidy” on the dashboard of the Ami).
And here, it is important to talk about the My Citroën mobile app, accessible from the smartphone through the DAT@MI connected compartment. This allows the driver to always know, in real time, the autonomy of his Ami, consult the state of charge and the time remaining for a 100% charge. This app also allows you to consult the location of nearby public charging stations.
My Ami Cargo, the professional!
Alongside the Ami, Citroën has also just launched My Ami Cargo, a solution designed for professionals and that combines the attributes of the conventional Ami with a payload volume of over 400 liters and a payload capacity of 140 kg.
In this variant, the passenger area is converted into a storage space of 260 liters with a modular box protected by seven polypropylene partitions.
Digital shopping experience
Citroën boasts of offering a 100% digital purchase process for the Ami, allowing customers to discover it, configure it, schedule a test drive (if they wish), order and pay online. All this in a digital environment.
Afterwards, delivery follows, which can be scheduled at home or at another agreed location. Delivery at home or at a location of your choice has a cost of €200. Delivery to a Citroën dealer is completely free of charge.
Available at 27 of the 29 Citroën dealerships in our country, the Ami can still be purchased at FNAC stores, but always with delivery ensured by Citroën. Ami will also be on display at FNAC stores in Amoreiras (Lisbon), Santa Catarina (Porto), Viseu and Braga.
And the prices?
- Ami Ami — €7350
- My Ami Orange, My Ami Khaki, My Ami Gray and My Ami Blue — €7750
- My Ami Pop — 8250 €
- My Ami Vibe — €8710
- My Ami Cargo — €7750
The kits for the more equipped versions (My Ami Pop and My Ami Vibe), which include, among other things, a rear spoiler (yes, you read that well!), are always applied at a dealership.
Technical specifications
| Citron Ami | |
|---|---|
| electric motor | |
| Position | transverse front |
| Type | Synchronous (permanent magnet) |
| power | 8 hp (6 kW) |
| Binary | 40 Nm |
| Drums | |
| Type | lithium ions |
| Capacity | 5.5 kWh |
| Weight | 60 kg |
| Streaming | |
| Traction | back |
| Gear box | Gearbox (1 speed) |
| Chassis | |
| Suspension | FR: Independent, MacPherson; TR: Torsional axis |
| brakes | FR: Disks; TR: Drums |
| Direction | unattended |
| turning diameter | 7.2 m |
| Dimensions and Capabilities | |
| Comp. x Width x Alt. | 2410 mm x 1395 mm x 1520 mm |
| Length between the axis | N.D. |
| suitcase capacity | There is not |
| Wheels | 155/65 R14 |
| Weight | 485 kg (DIN) |
| Provisions and consumption | |
| Maximum speed | 45 km/h (limited) |
| 0-45 km/h | 10s |
| Combined consumption | N.D. |
| CO2 emissions | 0 g/km |
| Combined autonomy | 75 km (WMTA cycle) |