The two-seater Citroen Ami 100% electric available to 14 year old drivers

The two-seater Citroen Ami 100% electric available to 14 year old drivers

Citroen has launched the innovative and affordable Ami, with a view to bringing 100% electric urban mobility to all. The design is ultra-compact, agile, colourful and accessible to drivers from the age of 14 (in France). Citroen view the Ami as a practical response to the mobility expectation of drivers for short journeys, enabling easier access to city centres and offering a real alternative to scooters, bicycles, mopeds and public transport – Electric Road takes a closer look.

 

The Ami is a 100% ëlectric light quadricycle, which benefits from a smooth clutch-less ride and an instant acceleration from a stand-still, capable of speeds of up to 45km/h, and is silent by design. It is Ideal for multiple short trips in the city – such as going to a meeting, to work, running an errand or going out for the evening with a range of up to 70 kilometres.

 

It has a 5.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, housed flat under the floor and can be easily be charged via the onboard electric cable located in the passenger-side doorway. Once the cable is plugged in, 3 hours are enough for a full charge on a conventional 220 V socket. The Ami can also be charged at a public terminal or Wall Box using a suitable cable.

 

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As the Ami is 100% ëlectric and classed as a light quadricycle in France it, therefore, does not require a driving licence to be operated and can be driven in France by 14-year-olds on the sole condition of having passed the road safety certificate, which is compulsory for people born after 1987.

 

It is ultra-compact with 14″ wheels,  2.41m long, 1.39m wide and 1.52m high which promises everyday agility, as well as easy parking thanks to its impressive turning diameter (7.20 m).

 

As soon as you step inside the Ami you are bathed in exterior light from the large areas of glass (windscreen, side windows and rear window) and it comes standard with a panoramic roof,  all this glass represents 50% of the total surface above the body line. In a nod to Citroën’s history, the side windows open by manually tilting upwards like the 2 CV.

 

The two-seater Citroen Ami 100% electric available to 14 year old drivers

 

The Ami’s interior comprises of 2 seats side-by-side.  The two-seat layout offers a real sense of space and ease of movement to each occupant, in terms of shoulder width, legroom and headroom. The driver’s seat is sliding (adjustable in length) and the passenger seat is fixed but can accommodate the tallest of occupants. Every nook and cranny of the Ami has been utilised with storage space cleverly distributed throughout the passenger compartment. In addition to a storage recess at the passenger’s feet, which can fit an aeroplane cabin-sized suitcase, the designers have also created another storage area at the rear.

 

Beneath its minimalist body shape and sleek lines, Ami highlights Citroën’s identity by adopting an expressive front end: headlamps and indicators form a double-decker light signature. This motif is also echoed on the rear lights for overall design consistency. The “Ami Blue” shade brings strength and presence to Ami, contrasting with the large glass surface area of the windscreen, panoramic roof, side windows and rear window. Ready for the city, Ami comes with (depending on the customisation choice) wheel covers, body, quarter light and roof stickers, or capsules on the sides like Airbump® inserts. In addition, Ami Is flanked by rounded, manually adjustable exterior mirrors.

 

The two-seater Citroen Ami 100% electric available to 14 year old drivers

 

 

Design intelligence is at the core of Ami project. Citroen’s mobility design offers new possibilities thanks to its symmetrical parts inspired by AMI ONE Concept. The wide doors that are completely identical on the right and left and open in the opposite direction: rear-hinged on the driver’s side to benefit from better onboard accessibility and increased comfort, and traditionally front-hinged on the passenger side. The 2 fixed semi-opening side windows also follow this principle. Front and rear bumpers, bumper undersides and under-body panels are also mirrored at the front and rear. Each part of the bodywork combines robustness, ease of assembly and workmanship.

 

The passenger compartment also benefits from the number of materials and elements used, in line with the clever thinking at the heart of the design process. At the driving position, the eye is drawn to the chequered pattern used for the instrument panel display located on the steering column, borrowed from AMI ONE Concept displaying relevant information for instant reading. It invites you to explore the city daily, in a modern and colourful atmosphere (depending on the level of customisation). To the right of the steering wheel, there is a dedicated area for accommodating a smartphone, which becomes the main dashboard screen and provides access to navigation and music.

 

The two-seater Citroen Ami 100% electric available to 14 year old drivers

 

Vincent Cobée, Citroën Brand CEO “For 100 years, Citroën has always been innovative and creative in democratising freedom of movement. This year, Citroën has come up with a new urban mobility solution accessible to everyone: compact, protective, 100% electric, without driving licence, and affordable. Ami – 100% ëlectric aims to be a real breakthrough in enabling urban mobility, a solution in sync with new modes of consumption. This great idea was a concept one year ago. We are proud that we have made it happen today. ”

 

The AMI is available 100% online in France via three buying options:

 

  • Long-term rental: €19.99 per month (Ami Ami version; long-term rental of 48 months, initial payment €2,644)
  • Free2Move car-sharing: from €0.26/min (subject to a monthly subscription of €9.90 with no commitment)
  • Purchase: from €6,000

 

The Ami is not currently available in the UK but Citroen would love to know what level of interest there is out there – register here

 

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