At the Geneva Motor Show last year, Citroën introduced an electric microcar nicknamed Ami in concept form and exactly one year later, Citroën launched it in a production version.
This tiny car has a dimension of 2.41 meters long, 1.39 meters wide and 1.52 meters high, which is overall shorter and slimmer than the Smart EQ Fortwo. While asking only 485 kg, including a 5.5 kWh battery, which makes it the same class as the Renault Twizy. But compared to Twizy, Ami has a passenger compartment that is closed with heating.
In terms of styling, the Citroën electric microcar looks simpler than the concept model. This can be seen from the arrangement of two-storey lights that are simpler and asymmetrical doors that open in the opposite direction, which at first glance seem difficult to determine which direction the vehicle is facing. The personalization options will include six colored accessory packages.
Given its classification, in the European Union Citroën Ami can be driven without a driver's license by the driver with an average age of 16 years or even 14 years in France. Thanks to its small size, a 7.2 meter turning circle and an electric drive source, Ami is seen as a practical solution for taking short trips in the city and as an alternative vehicle to replace bicycles, mopeds, scooters and public transportation.
With the support of an 8 horsepower electric motor, Citroën Ami has a top speed of no more than 45 km / hour. While the 5.5 kWh lithium-ion battery it uses provides a range of up to 70 km and can be charged within 3 hours on a conventional 220V socket. Citroën Ami can also charge in public terminals or Wall Boxes using the appropriate cable.
Citroën offers several options for consumers to be able to drive Ami, namely by buying it, long-term rental or sharing a car. For those who are interested in buying it directly, Ami is offered at a base price of around € 6,000 including VAT in France.
There is also a 48-month long-term lease option with a payment of around € 19.99 per month with an initial payment of around € 2,644. As for the third option, Citroën Ami is part of the PSA Free2Move car sharing service fleet at a rate of around € 0.26 per minute and a subscription fee of around € 9.90 per month.
Citroën will begin accepting orders for the new Ami on March 30 in France and a few months later in Spain, Italy, Belgium, Portugal and Germany. While the first shipment to customers in France is scheduled for June.
