Neil (a.k.a @i3Roadtrip on Twitter) is Electric Road’s biggest owner contributor since we founded the website and we value his take on all things electric.
So when he informed us he was test driving the new Citroën Ami and would we like his feedback, we naturally said yes!
Introduction
I’ve always loved quirky. After all, I drive (and absolutely love) my BMW i3. In years gone by, I’ve owned 3 x Citroën 2CVs so it stood to reason the new Citroën Ami would catch my attention.
The guys at Robins and Day in Coventry seemed very happy to provide me with an Ami to test drive but less happy that they couldn’t sell me one! Should you buy one, you have to order online and then the car is delivered to your home or to the dealership of your choice in about 14 weeks from order. I guess that isn’t too bad by today’s standards.
Book your Citroën Ami Test Drive HERE
The Citroën Ami
So to the car, it’s smaller than expected; it really is diddy. I saw a few in Rome a few weeks ago but up close, it is incredibly tiny. My first impression is that it looks like one of those micro submarines they use to discover wrecks on the ocean floor but with a handbrake! Once inside, entry being gained on the left-hand side, it really is quite spacious and as I’ll describe later, it doesn’t matter that this is a left-hand drive car.
Instruments comprise a digital speedometer/mileometer/battery gauge and that’s pretty much it. There’s also a wiper/lights stalk and 2 push buttons. One of these is for a fan which was very noisy and appeared to have one speed and one for a heater but I guess that’s for one temperature only! There’s also a USB port to plug your phone in. The forward and reverse selectors are by the left side of your seat near the floor and there is a conventional handbrake too.
Interestingly, there are 2 teeny door mirrors but no rear view mirror?!?! I’d buy a stick-on one just to make me feel better!
The seats adjust well (forwards and backwards) but there is no backrest adjustment and you basically sit on a plastic school chair which is hard and not terribly comfortable. Above and to the the front is a panoramic glass sunroof but there are no sun visors or cover so if the sun shines. As the salesperson said, you’ll need a hat and sunglasses or go on the bus! Otherwise, it’s all plastic, on the floors and the dash which has some storage space. There is a little bit of room behind the seats too.
Book your Citroën Ami Test Drive HERE
Driving
As a quadricycle, the Citroën Ami is limited to just below 28mph. I thought this would make me the target of angry drivers but actually it didn’t. The car accelerates quite rapidly and when it reaches its maximum velocity a limiter kicks in. Although, with a little amount of glee, I did tell the guys at Citroën I got it up to 29mph!!
The ride is noisy, jolly, jumpy and rattly! I reduced the rattles by opening the windows which are hinged halfway up like a 2CV but it’s still not a quiet place to be and nor is it comfortable either. A pea in a can is probably a fair description!
The fact this car is only available as a left-hand drive does not matter one bit though. After about 5 minutes, I’d forgotten this as the car is so tiny you are fully engaged in the experience which is a cacophony coupled with being in a car which is actually slower than a moped! Every bump in the road is an event. And no, it doesn’t corner like it’s on rails!
Verdict
Did I like it? Hell, yes. What a fun experience! People were waving and taking pictures as I drove by. Other drivers were patient too. It was simply great fun. With a range of 45 miles, it’s never going far but for city commuting or just as a toy, there’s nothing like it as far as I’m concerned.
To the numbers – there are various trim packs but it is possible to do a PCP for 2 years at under £21 per month with a £2,350 deposit. That is amazing in my view. Am I tempted? Definitely, watch this space!
As I drove away in my i3, it seemed I was drifting away on a cosseted magic carpet but with a smile on my face thinking about the ridiculous but fab Citroën Ami.
Quelle expérience unique!
Book your Citroën Ami Test Drive HERE
