Citroen Ami - Is it a car, domestic appliance or family pet? First drive UK review / Electrifying
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- Опубликовано: 15 окт 2024
- Read our full review of the Citroen Ami here: www.electrifyi...
The Bentley driver looks insulted and the guy in the Lamborghini tries hard not to stare. Because where once they were the centre of attention, they are suddenly no longer getting the most admiring looks. After all, the city now has a new star and all eyes are on the Citroen Ami.
The little Ami is at the very other end of the scale to their exotic machines, costing less than a set of alloy wheels for the Bentley with a basic price of about £7,000. It would probably fit in the boot of the Bentayga with a little effort.
But this tiny electric car gets people excited, especially the kids who can drive it legally in France when they are aged 14 or over. It’s smaller than a Smart and cooler than concept show cars, with hopelessly unconventional styling and crazy ideas which never usually get further than a stylist’s notepad.
It’s already on sale in France and from next spring also in Germany, the Ami is to become the best friend of the novice drivers, who are allowed to take the wheel at 14 or 16 years old, depending on the local laws. There’s no news on whether it will come to the UK yet, as Citroen executives are keeping a close eye on the likely demand.
It's essentially a quadricycle, or 'Urban Mobility Object' according to Citroen. It has a 5.5kWh battery and a 44-mile range and could be the perfect city car - sorry, Urban Mobility Object, ever.
Ginny Buckley takes her new pet for a drive.
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If you like the Citroen Ami then we think you should also check out:
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As an Anglo Canadian living in Paris, France, I am starting to see them on the streets and parked at outdoor electric charging pods. Love it!
Ah cool
As another Anglo Canadian living in Paris, I get mine this week.
I don't know why, but I really really love it. It's too cute!
You'll love it even more if you see it in the UK! Register your interest to make it happen > bit.ly/35uzrw1
@@CitroenUKOfficial Hey, tell Citroën Sweden we want it here as well.
drive a moped to work which is only about 20mins away from where I live. The Ami would be a perfect upgrade to get rid of that dread when you realise its raining. Please Please bring it to the UK soon!!!
Honestly this is the first electric car that caught my interest, such a very clever little city car and very charming.
Literally the most accurate review. Saving all I can to get one. To get my little one to school and work. We used to take the bus. But after 2020. We walk everywhere. And it's a killer on rainy days. Can't wait for it to be launched in Madeira Island, Portugal. 👌
Good luck,Elsa,and greetings from NewZealand
My daughter is likely to go to a sixth form college 6 miles away from where we live and her current school. This would be perfect for her and I've read that in France they can be leased from £17 per month.
Unfortunately, you only have to look at how Daily Mail readers reacts to bicycles and electric scooter to know they will be calling to these to be banned before they even go in sale.
I think there's a very good chance you'll be able to get one for her. Citroen UK are making positive noises and you can register your interest on their website. It's a lovely little thing. Thanks for your support Peter, Ginny
Daily Mail readers will get their life surprise 1/1 2021 and hopefully they will have more important things to deal with like getting food on their table! 😊
@@bokhans You're right but they'll only blame someone else. They shouldn't have been allowed access to a pencil.
Especially for a french car!
I’m SO excited about this as a 61 year old non driver! Please bring it to the UK ASAP. I LOVE it ❤️
Isn't it great, and as you say such a brilliant option for so many people. I have a feeling it will come here. Ginny
@@Electrifyingcom I sure hope so. I have registered my interest with Citroen. I will purchase outright as soon as they reach the UK.
I guess I’m not surprised tbh, I only have a provisional. However if I went to the trouble of taking my test I would go for an actual car.....
I am French, I am 70 years old no driver, and I just bought mine!
@@TakeOffeur wow! How exciting for you! It will change your life for sure 😁
As i've mentioned in other reviews this "car" would be ideal as a replacement/addition to the uk mobility scheme. Speaking as someone who's disabled and does not hold a full licence this would be a life changer for me and other people who have issues getting to shops ect.
I see many nice comments here but I thought British people preferred premium cars
Are there any shops left to go to
@@julienbee3467 You mean people who go into debt don't eat good food or feed their kids to drive a premium car?This is a premium car for the many so don't be sarcastic.
Simplicity is subtraction. Brilliant creativity from Citroen. Brilliant.
IMHO definitely gives the Renault Twizy a run for its money. At almost half the price.
Love it
I really like it, but I couldn't help loving the house!
Living in an open-area barn, with a huge wood-burning fireplace and an electric car so as to save the world makes complete sense.
Kia brings one out in 2022!
Not much of a car, but one hell of an umbrella! 😁 classic 💗
Question / statement! Why on earth did citron not make the Ami with speed stats to match the Twizzy??!! That would have been a 'win win' I reckon, ones too slow and the other not practical 🤔
@@dansonthetube more speed, cause different rules and regulations to apply. Complying with them would add cost to development and production, and increase the price.
The drive train is capable of more, but limited by software to be within regulations for 45 km/h vehicle.
I have seen a video by Out of Spec Reviews. They featured an Ami with modified software, but normal battery and motor.
They got about 15 hp, (not just 8 hp), and top speed was about 80 km/h (not the restricted 45 km/h you get when you order one).
@@thorbjrnhellehaven5766 Interesting thx. So like the Twizzy, there are ways of tweaking a bit, but all strictly hush hush👍
I should have realised that really I suppose 😇
@@dansonthetube that particular software modification was by Valeo, the one company making the motors used in the Citroën Ami. It was not like anyone hacked it, but it was approved by OEM for internal R&D, and display.
But it proves that there is some potential depending on regulations, it isn't pushed to its limit, but limited to comply with regulations.
About the average driving speed in London-2 of the best "Top Gear" races were in London, Clarkson in a Panda being beaten by a Marathon runner,and Hammond on a bike beating the rest of the team to the Docklands airport..
But they blocked traffic in London for doing all those things.
"Ami" means "friend" in french, so I guess it already has a name!
It's going to be nice referring to a car as "mon petit ami"
@@Hagg-o-tron Thanks James ! I am french and I am about to have my first petit ami ;-)
@@adalix3954 I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time with it! désolé mon français est horrible. bonne chance avec votre nouveau petit ami. l'amour d'Angleterre, je suis désolé pour le Brexit. I'm so sorry, and many of us are heartbroken x
@@Hagg-o-tron Cher James, votre français est parfait ! Je suis désolée que l'union européenne n'ait pas su convaincre le Royaume-Uni de rester. Je vous souhaite le meilleur. Bises de Montmartre !
@@adalix3954 Merci. L'amore de la Staffordshire 🙂. I want to have a jambon beurre with my French friends soon without restrictions.
I love it, and I want one. Please Citroen please bring it to the UK.
I heard Citroen want people to go to their website to register interest 👍
C’mon Citroen ! ……..do you want to sell this game changer,or not? ………..back yourselves,and get some over here!
Already registered interest - the make or break in the UK will be if they allow 40mph ( or 50 mph ) versions like Twizy so it can cope with expressway/urban traffic.
Agree; this is the first ev that has any relevance for many people, but it does need that little extra bit of versatility to cope with slightly longer rural journeys.
I dare say they'll have an optional more beefy battery for a few hundred quid extra.
Here here, 45/50 mph and I'd have it as our second car otherwise it just doesn't cut it and I SO want it to!
This little gem makes so much sense for car sharing schemes. My Daughter lives in Vancouver & is a member of a car sharing scheme. It works very well, but the cars are mini versions of the Toyota Prius. No one seems to bother charging them so they run on petrol mostly. This would make much more sense, as most users are people who need to nip around the city quickly as part of their work. That scheme rents spaces in multi storey car parks, so ideal for charging too. A winner all round, me thinks.
I absolutely loved this review!!
Two improvements: 1) Install a transparent solar panel where the roof window is to trickle charge the car when it is parked. 2) Have a suitcase-size extra battery that you can plug in to extend the range.
Looks much safer, warmer and nicer than a posh mobility scooter 🛵 and you can go out when it’s raining ! ☔️ will be a popular choice I think......❤️
Imagine if a dozen of those were parked up in our cities instead of eBikes for hire - how cool would that be (and how much more suitable for our climate!)
Its wee face is the cutest ever too 😍
We agree! Register your interest to make that happen > bit.ly/35uzrw1
That is a great car. I would buy one if I wasn't working at home. And that's a great house too!
I think I would still rather have a Tesla Model X
@@guidedmeditation2396 they are horrible on the inside
@@cactus3796 AMI was made to be practical, simple, reliable and cheap,...environmental friendly..... you didn't get the idea behind the project.
I like it, I live between 8 and 12 miles from two town centres, this would be ideal...😊 The opening windows and wing mirrors remind of a 2CV type design.
It's a great solution for regular journeys like that. I agree, you can definitely see some echoes of the 2CV in its design. Thanks for supporting us! Ginny
@@Electrifyingcom Since the original Ami was an upgraded 2CV, that's really no surprise.
It's funny you say that because the Ami does actually take some inspiration from the 2CV.
I’d have the passenger door swapped to the suicide style to fit in with the Citroen heritage.
I love the design of this! Looks like a teeny weeny railway locomotive (or wagon really) being completely symmetrical. Absolutely genius.
Why, thank you! Have you registered your interest yet?
@@CitroenUKOfficial I would be very interested in buying one of these as a work commuter car, which is entirely along 20mph and 30mph roads. Save my first car when it is actually needed for other duties.
Brilliant. personal transport stripped back to basics and fit for purpose. Love it.
Cool isn't it! Ginny
It's a bit funky and probably like marmite, you either love it or hate it. Definitely an option moving forward if mileage isn't an issue. I'm not sure how this would work if you need a larger vehicle or for longer journeys. Probably work out too expensive to have both options, especially with full EV prices still being on the high side and beyond most normal peoples budgets.
Practical, useful, no fuss and straight forward. What else, one could anyone ask for more??
Besides.... it's sooooo cute!!
I can see these and cars like them being everywhere in the future
That's mobility for all. What a great idea!
"A huge Pokemon" 😂😂😂 I'd get one in a split second!
Citroën probably will do a Pikachu special edition of the Ami in the future. 😆
These are brilliant, I would have one as well as my car, so I could use it for all the short journeys
Weird to recognise Wallingford immediately from the first outdoor shot. Oh, and great car. I mean, it's not for me but I'm happy it exists
It was! Good spot. You've summed my thoughts about the Ami exactly. Doesn't work for me but it's a lovely thing, Ginny
Wow that freaked me out too - I live in Wallingford
Hehe I wondered if anyone else would comment on this. I live in Oxford and I only realised where she was when I saw the fountain.
A fun runabout in town for doing errands. One worry: does it have any kind or airbag? The seatbelt is its only safety? It's good it's got the heater (quite a hair dryer!), but… any A/C in the summers -which will only get hotter in the future?
At 6:35 it's possible to see how good these type of cars are to drive around narrow streets with very big vehicles badly parked 😉 - such a good and smart "boy" 😊
Best review of the Ami I’ve seen yet. You’ve explained everything so clearly and definitely think of this vehicle in the right way. 💕😁👍
I really like it, and can still imagine people at Ikea trying to get several Billy bookcases in it!
It could be useful at IKEA if Citroen added a proper roof rack.
With Billy bookcases. Where there's a will there's a way. Get in the foot well my love! Stick your foot out the window! I'll freeze my bollocks off, just put the meatballs and salmon on my lap. We're getting home.
I had one of the original Ami 8's a Burnt orange estate- it was like driving a small boat , quite special.
2CV is the same... more smiles per mile.... like having a cute puppy
There was a version of the 2CV called Ami.
@@srfrg9707 AMI 6, AMI 8 and AMI SUPER - with a GS 1015 engine... the original Ami was never called CUTE...
maybe the ugliest car Citroen ever made. Sold well in France. Rare here in Australia. I have only driven and Ami 8 Hoffman convertible and an Ami 6.
As a city congestion solution it is a good idea and the whole lease thing makes sense . I just can't get it out of my head that it looks like Little Tykes Car :-) ... but in a busy city and for the older generation to get around in I imagine it's going to be a good option .
Cool & cute as.... what more do you need for a quick scoot around town 🤷🏻♂️😊👏👏
Looks like a washing machine on wheels 😂
Even sounds like it🤣😂
@@casperhansen826 ...and the shaking too ! But I like it :)
Goes really fast with a few scoops of Persil Bio.
Failed Khoi Bert as you don’t get wet inside…
@@TakeOffeur : free butt massage at each ride. For that much, I buy !
This video should be hire up the search results. Wonderful review. 🙏☀️💕
What the Sinclair C5 aspired to.
Citroën have done it again. Brilliant. A one seater version with a central steering wheel would be neat too, if there's room to set it up up front.
It is not a car folks! It is a great scooter with 4 wheels and fully enclosed, and a very good price. It is almost a quarter the price of a VW E-Up!!! Let that sink in.
Of course it's a car. 4 wheels, windows, doors, a sun roof and a steering wheel. It may not be your definition of a car, but in no way could it be described as a scooter.
@@ianworley8169 It is a car, but legally it is a scooter. That is why they limit the speed to 45 km/h.
@@videosforcatsanddogs214 The word you are looking for is quadricycle, my friend. If I was not just 3 months from retirement it would be ideal for my commute some 4km through little country lanes in rural France. It is designed for the French "sans permit" regs.
Wow, what a great show! Ginny is an awesome presenter and shows the pros and cons of the Ami very well.
Subscribed! =D
Very cute. makes complete sense for a city run-about. Citroen is known for quirky, such as the 2CV which is one of my favourite vehicles of all time - so functional and purpose built, just lime the Ami. Happy New Year!
It's so pretty I love it. I would add a rear view mirror, sun visor, radio & speakers. Maybe an interior light for driving at night.
I love it, it'd be great for popping out for groceries or a short commute to work when it's too wet to cycle. Can you charge it when the doors are locked? If you can charge it while it's locked can you also turn the heater on while charging, perhaps to preheat the cabin on a cold winter day?
What a brilliant idea... Didn't thought about that. Thanks for the tip. Cheers
Of course caaaaaaaaannnnnn
I've since seen there's a channel in the passenger door to route the charging cable through so you can charge while locked. Haven't seen anyone try the heater thing yet.
If they do a delivery version (e.g. a rack for pizza boxes instead of the passenger seat) they could sell loads of these! Most delivery services around town currently use either scooters, which can only hold a small bag (i.e. need many rides) and are a pain in weather or the smallest/cheapest car they can get (which are mostly empty on most runs) - "mobility objects" like the Ami perfectly fill a gap here! *Much* cheaper to operate, and the limited range and speed aren't an issue. Also no need to install a dedicated charging plug.
Is 40 miles the Winter range or the Summer range? Experience from PHEV is that a Summer range of 44 yields a Winter range of 24.
In France there is a classification of vehicles called "Sans Permis" - these do not need any form of driving license, and can be driven legally from 14 yrs old. Currently they are all petrol or diesel powered and are bought (about 15,000€) by people who've never had a license, or lost their license.
With this new Ami it will be cheap to buy or lease (3000€ down and 20€ per month) and do a great job of bobbing around town, so much better than any ICE powered machine.
I just love it - test-driving one very soon.
Dave in France
I'd rather have one of these for around town than the VW ID 3. Citroen have took us by surprise with this one. An amazing little 'car'!
First electric car which really makes sense for average short-haul commuter. If it could be modified to reach at least 50 mph and sell for the same low price, I think people should buy it in droves.
For any short distance, local or city journeys this should be the compulsory second car to use.
Renault Twizy started this trend first but now its price is unacceptably high and this Ami looks and makes much more sense.
Very nice presentation Ms Electrifying, thank you. Makes you want to buy one.
Wow! Now I've seen a couple of real Chick Bait transportation units before. Like the Citroen SM - the most sophisticated machine I've ever been in but look out new world order. The Ami is on it's way.
US retirement communities have been waiting for this pet of a car for decades. Look out golf cart dealerships!
Gives a whole new meaning to autocross and autocross clubs. A little American know how and we'll have these puppies up to 42 MPH - 65+ KM.
Obviously, I'm a bit infatuated.
You do that and it will cease to be a puppy!
Adorable. But why is there a physical key and should it not have a standard charger port (though at that size/weight you can just push it home if you run out of electrons)?
I wish the G-Wiz had this much acceptance back in the 2000s, when confessing to like electric cars and hybrids was as fiercely criticised as coming out
I love it, really considering getting one if they come to the UK.
The only thing I'd change on the spot: replace the standard plug with a type 2 plug and allow it to be charged on a 11 kW wallbox within one hour (the house plug being added as an adapter). Then you could charge it while you are in your local grocery store, for example.
8:15 "I'd want to do a long journey in this in the same way you'd want to do your own dentistry" LOL!
I dont know what it is about the Ami but they look so cool and its really growing on me to the point i really want to test drive one for myself.
When will this come to Canada? I am just across the pond. Also, would it be possible to get a slight power upgrade to 60 km'/hr? I would feel so much safer at that speed here.
Wait what! let's get this channel to 1 mil
This would be quite at home in Malta, being small and having enough speed and range to go round the island
I was just thinking that it would make a great Island Car for all smaller Islands
best thing since the original Twingo. Got to love the French.
so at end why did you not cover it like putting it to bed.
does it need road tax ( i doubt as ev are 0 road tax) but mot or insurance to use. do you have to registrate it
A really nice review, I like how everyone acknowledges the car and smiles.
Until politicians change the laws to restrict this EV, never underestimate politicians
"You'll want to do long journeys like you'll want to do you're own dentistry" was an unexpected gem. lol. Great review, thanks.
I don't think I'll be trading in the push bike, but I can see it appealing to certain markets. Cheaper than a taxi and more convenient than a bus, it might be that Citroen have a hit on their hands.
This is what most of us are waiting for, pity we are still waiting for the infrastructure. Living in a terraced house the nearest charging point is 3 miles away. I don't want all the techy stuff modern ICE/EV vehicles seem to come with, I've been a huge Citroen fan for years and owned many 2 cylinder derivatives over the years. This goes straight back to the umbrella on wheels principal that Citroen pioneered with the 2CV, bring it on!
As a sales person, I'd need a bit more range of I were to buy it, but renting one for the morning and one on the afternoon would be great. A luminous and practical cabin, a cute design and an affordable running cost? Sign me in.
Alas, I have to wait to get it even if it's made in my country.
There really is a place for this. It's one step up from a granny chariot and at that level it works well . However , it certainly is not a car in the conventional sense. It will be very, very popular ideal for nipping to the local shops etc and you can imagine renting a car for longer trips.
Brilliant, I'd have one tomorrow !. Popping into town or down the shops etc this is perfect. WOuld also be a great solution to these retirement complexes that most towns have these days. It's perfect where people don't need to use a car regularly anymore but don't want to give up their independence and still need to get to the shops, doctors etc..this is perfect
Citroen had an Ami before didn't they.
Somehow, incredibly they've managed to design something that looks even more ridiculous.
Congratulations, Citroen are back!
Oh my gosh! Since they made the front and back the same, wouldn't it be nice if they made the steering wheel plug-able to the other side, so you can pull in a spot, and pull out forward - not having to reverse?
You would also have to be able to reverse the seats and the pedals and the dashboard etc. Would likely increase cost significantly but it’s a fun idea and I am sure someone will modify one one day like this.
i drove a subaru 360 in 1970 over 50 m p h and did the speed limit of 55 of that time. with four not fat people.also less then 1000 dollars out the door in san jose cal.from the dealer
Love the home. You should do a "tour" of it. Love the car and will get one when they come to the US. If we haven't killed ourselves off first from the election. Your audio needs to be "level-ed" better.
Great video. I would like one, living and working in Central London this would be brilliant car for getting about.
It is 'revolutionary' but cannot help thinking once the novelty has worn off....& another thing is with all that glass how bad will condensation be in winter on cold damp mornings..!
Why is it purely urban? I live in a rural area, with my nearest village 15km away. I do 90% of my driving, to and from that village. Why not have one of these for local bobbing about and save the ICE for longer distance driving. I want one!
At 26km/h, please keep it off the rural roads; it will cause frustrations and accidents.
I want an Ami but it's the waiting, what silly extra rules are British Ami drivers going to have to obey, and how much will the insurance cost.
Call it Amie ! The panels can be customised and I reckon an add on boot or roof rack would just about make it perfect!
Between me and my nearest big town (4 miles away) there is only one road and it's a dual carriageway. A 7 mile detour would be required to be legal. I see tractors on that dual carriageway pretty regular and they aren't any faster than the Ami. So maybe it's not really enforced. ( There are farms on each side of it and crossing points). So I don't see what else farmers are suppose to do. I also see push-bikes on it as well.
Does it mean that I have to leave the door open while charging it????
This is perfect for older retired people. No driver license, no insurance and no expensive maintenance costs. Super simple and fun to drive!
Putting aside the top speed, this is a true modern mini! Alec Issigonis would love it. Citroen now need to apply the thinking behind this and upscale it, and they could finally produce a practical and really affordable electric family car.
Brilliant. Perfect for car sharing fleets in a city
really like the idea of a short jorney vehicle that just plugs in your ring main ready to convey you to...the shops and back ..well..as long as you only buy enough fill passenger seat. that round mirror would be the first thing to exchange for something larger appart from that 9/10
Love it. Would be great on holiday as a city hire round Paris etc. A 4 wheel Dalek.
i would consider buy it if it had an airconditioning/heating and a higher limited topspeed : maybe a microlini....
I love it. One thing, is the plastic recyclable or bio degradable?
Just discovered your channel - terrific reviews, thanks. I love this little car/appliance/pet ❤️😍🤗
Love it! With just slight modification and fatter tyres it would be perfect vehicle/golf buggy👍
Not everyone has a garage attached to their house for charging, Its inconvenient if you live in a block of flats, there aren’t many 3 pin plug terminals in the uk, I can imagine someone having to bring an extension cord/generator and sit with the car for 3 hours every night, but its cheaper than grabbing a taxi cheap to even just hire and hang out in if your a teen im deffo going to get this
Another fantastic review. "I want to do a long journey in this in the same way you want to do your own dentistry." Is there room behind the seats for the obligatory sub unit? 13 amp 3 hour charging - this has the hallmarks of a great non-metropolitan city commuter. Great review - again- thank you.
Love this! Citroen being futuristic again! Fantastic.
This was such an entertaining review and the little Ami seems like the perfect city car, seeing one of these would make me smile.
If they could up the range and top speed just a bit it would be a very interesting proposition. Maybe a range of 75 miles and top speed of 40mph, but I guess this would exceed the limits for a non-car classification?
Does it need to be registered, taxed, insured? Does it attract parking tickets?
So many questions we don't know the answer to yet Tony. Once we get a clear picture of if it's definitely coming to the UK and what legislation surrounds it we'll do an update over on Electrifying.com. Thanks for your support! Ginny
Saw this video a while back. This is the reason I’ve ordered this quadricycle. Perfect for my commute. I can cycle or quadricycle depending on the weather. 😝