LIKE if this episode made you smile and SHARE if you think all EVs should be this fun! Robert has been banging on about wanting to see more smaller EVs and it looks like he might have got his wish! The Citroen Ami is cute, crazy and fun to drive. It might be very small but it has everything you legally need for a vehicle and its hard not to like it. It might be the oddest first drive Robert has ever done, but he's so taken with this egg box on wheels that he sings the Ami's praises in French! The range is low, the top speed is low and there is literally only room in the back for a couple of baguettes, but we challenge anyone to drive this car and not feel ridiculously happy. In fact, the limited range is probably necessary to curb Robert's 'arse anxiety' from the slightly uncomfortable ride! Fully Charged is 100% independent thanks to RUclips Memberships and Patreons. Without you this channel wouldn’t be possible! If you’d like to help support the Fully Charged channel and its mission: Become a Patreon: www.patreon.com/fullychargedshow Become a RUclips member: use JOIN button above Subscribe to Fully Charged & the Fully Charged PLUS channels Buy the Fully Charged Guide to Electric Vehicles & Clean Energy : buff.ly/2GybGt0 Browse the Fully Charged store: shop.fullycharged.show/ Visit our LIVE exhibitions in the UK, USA & Europe: FullyCharged.Show/events Subscribe for episode alerts and the Fully Charged newsletter: fullycharged.show/zap-sign-up/ Visit: FullyCharged.Show Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/fullychargedshw Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/fullychargedshow Citroën UK has launched a website to gauge interest in potential plans to sell the Ami electric city car to British buyers: info.citroen.co.uk/new-cars/car-range/citroen-AMI/register-your-interest
I currently use my car almost exclusively to drive my daughter to school (about 2 miles on 30-40mph roads) when she misses the bus, so this would be perfect for that. Not least because the thought of being seen in it would guarantee she’s ready in time to get the bus instead 🤣
She could be bullied ! i own an Axiam 500 and my kids hated the school journey saying they was made fun of ! I'm now busy saving to own a Nissan leaf mid range outright, but love this little AMI, although i would think about a mod to increase range with extra batteries (if they could fit in ! ) and add flexible solar panels to the roof for that tiny extra ooomfff in summer ! take care all
@@morosis82 She’s 16 but there’s a big dual carriageway she’d have to cross and the pedestrian crossing arrangements are rudimentary at best so she probably wouldn’t survive the first week.
Yep could not agree with you more. Why the hell they made the twizzy without proper doors is beyond me! I hope Citroen give us a twizzy version of this ami, as in one that can do the speed limit. I live in France and would buy one tomorrow if it could do 90kmh which is the national speed limit here, they missed something I guess. Or its politics stopping them because the car industry would shit a brick if they did make one!
@@tonypower9315 There are multiple reasons why it's limited to 45kmh: - Regulations: with the limit, some EU countries allow this car to be driven from the age of 16, making it a perfect "first car" for children from urban families with enough money - Safety: If it was faster, Citroen would have to equip this car with more safety features, which would make it more expensive to produce and therefore push the price up. This would make it less affordable. - Urban lifestyle: This is based on a concept that centers around a progressive urban lifestyle. It's supposed to be good for sharing economy, short range and urban traffick, not highways. - target groups: besides urban families a relevant target group is middle class and rich sub-urban families. They would probably adopt this as a second or even third car, since it's small, affordable and accessible, while also having charm, a modern and sustainable image. They don't need a long-range car, since they probably already have 2 and this would just be an affordable addition.
The forward part is the same than the rear part, the left door is the same than the right one, only it opens the other way. This in order to save on cost. True story!
Brilliant for a town car, I guess it’s restricted in terms of speed to meet the french “sans permis” regs. For a car sharing vehicle in the heart of a city, absolutely brilliant.
Yeah. Clearly it is electric 'scooter car' to fall under tractor/ moped category for driving license most directly.... the EU AM category driving license. Hence top speed of 45 km/h, since that is the max speed vehicle is allowed for AM license. Though technically AM applies at max to trikes. However many of EU countries expand it nationally to tractors/moped cars and say "if it is AM category vehicle with one extra wheel, well one can still on national decision drive it with AM license. Even if vehicle now is nationally regulated tractor/quad moped/micro car, instead of EU wide AM category scooter.".
@@ErraticPT Twizzy does 80kmh, and that's closer to car than Twizzy, but it hasn't normal doors and it's not that good for cold weather. If Amy has 80kmh capable version, I'll get one. 45kmh is slow for the ring roads and we have many 80kmh city roads.
@@koma-k Twizzy is 80kmh capable but it has no windows, and I need it for the winter. What's so scary about 80kmh? It will be scarier to drive on the ring road with 45kmh.
I second that (and probably less ironic than you intended). :D Makes a 4seater Ami. Or should I rather write Amis then, if you can take 3 friends with you instead of just one? (Link 3 if you're a family with 2 children, a Grandma and a dog.)
Burton did an electric version of their 2CV based roadster. And if you live in the US or UK you can easily retrofit a standard 2CV. It might be possible in France in 2021, but only at an high cost and with an authorized company.
or let cintroen do the design and let hmm...germans do the engineering? or some Japanese engineers, they do pretty well with small Kei cars for a decade.
well sort of... I live in london and the only time we really need a car is to go and get something that is too big or heavy for the bus/train.. so in this the christmas tree would have to go in the passenger seat while my wife got the bus home. You''d normally never drive to just get yourself somewhere else as it'll likely be the slowest way to get there. (or you're having a drink when you arrive). I cant help but think that enough storage space for a weeks shopping would have been achievable... that and the fact that 3-pin charging is probably harder to find than ccs chargers since very few people have off-street parking.
Driving in London really should be only if you need to move bulky stuff or you are going to awkward outer bits. Public transport is fine 99% of the time. What we need is access to something on the edge of London so people can get out and aren't limited by trains.
While I did love the public transport in London, I can totally see reasons you might want a car, especially something like this that can park on a penny. Imagine if they took half the parking spots and cut them in half for people driving something like this. Parking would all of a sudden get a lot easier.
Citroen really has a different approach to how they see cars being used in large urban areas, with car sharing in mind. It's really interesting what they did there and I hope to see more of these in europes city centers in the future.
Thats a Boot Car, you can put it in the boot of those big SUV's. I love small cars myself had a 1985 Mini when I was living in the UK and absolutely loved it.
The windows open like a 2CV, and the doors are identical! Robert did not discover that the drivers door is hinged at the back, while the passenger's is hinged at the front. That is so Citroen. I've seen a couple of reviews of this, and it is utterly charming. The French have a category of small simple, cars that used to be called "cycle-cars". Basically 4-wheeled scooters. Kids over 16 could drive them without needing a license. Not much range, and no amenities. This is absolutely a 21st Century version of that sort of thing! I love it. I'm not sure I could afford it, but I am going to look at the website.
Your reaction to this was the same as my reaction when I first drove a Smart. Grinning from ear to ear! I’ve owned 3 Smarts over the years & I’d definitely consider one of these as runabout, just for the smiles. 😎
Vanadium flow storage batteries are going to be huge. No degradation. Perfect for storage. All it needs is that Tesla fame spark. China already has a huge one.
Worked with a chap a few years ago who worked on these batteries in the 1970s sponsored by the DTI in the UK. Can't remember why he said they were a non-starter.
they might be a little heavy for this car.. ... and too heavy for all cars more than likely. but for grid storage a flow battery is a likely viable solution...
Microcars are not "profit able" The likes of the Citroën C1 would be expected to make a 5% profit margin per unit, executive cars like Teslas and Audis mark for 20% or more
Well, maybe. But would not a "VW beetle" from Tesla, if they can refrain from fun and games (and luxury), and focus on low price and decent range instead, probably be a pretty good car?
Gallic Genius. They are going to sell millions of these things. Both to youngsters as an alternative to an electric moped (it's not coincidence that the up-front cost of the Ami is about the same as a new E-moped, 2600€) but also to people who want a "second car" that does not require yearly inspections, expensive car tax and expensive maintenance. I'd buy one of these in a heartbeat if they were for sale here, it would replace our regular car for 80% of the trips we make. The Ami is often misunderstood. Everyone who demands "more range, more speed, more everything" is completely missing the point namely that it is *not legally an automobile*. Also, thanks to low range, speed and weight it recharges in 3 hours from a regular socket. The haters are plain wrong, this is brilliant.
The battery is listed at 5.5 kWh. Range (theoretical): 70 km -reviews, so far, have shown it's optimistic. In France you can purchase it in electronic retailers 'Fnac' for less than 7 000€.
@@alexiancu87 , it's seems to be a great solution for on-demand mobility. The now defunct 'Autolib' had expensive vehicles, never turned a profit. With cheaper cars, easy to clean and repair, such a service can be viable. Plus, for well of households, with it make for a good first car for the youngsters, and a dedicated vehicle for urban short hops.
@@alexiancu87 , I don't think it get be significantly lower right now. It's a already made with cheap plastics and frugal options. Battery prices is the main factor.
@@jizzlecizzle1388 battery prices are now below 200€ per kWh. This makes the entire battery be at around 1000€, which leaves room for improving the price.
If they make a (mixed use) cargo version, it would be ideal as a shop/company runabout for city use. Have your name on the side, couple cases of equipment for photographers, or space for pharmacy deliveries, quick supply run for a restaurant? The kind of odd jobs that require you to carry a bit too much to go by bicycle. All in a very attractive compact electric eye-catcher.
This Citroën Ami is the most french car made this year. And impersonating of le'cool pariz guy is on professional level. Also Robert is best electric car reviewer, hands down.
That car is crazier than you can see. There is same piece of the door on the left and right sides. There is same piece of the mask at the front and at the back. Ideal car into city. I love it.
@James Braselton yeah - but if you are driving to town with a F150 - maybe its better to park it outside the town and drive the last miles in a backup AMI :-) - Musk recently said he had problems parking a Tesla X in Berlin - imagine a F150! - An AMI in the trunk with solve that issue! /s
Whole 11 minute video i tried to find that whether it has a second seat beside driving seat or not. But thank to the brilliant videography I am unsuccessful.
Never ever change citroen. We need bonkers French design. It puts such a smile on my face. And evey so often they come up with some of the most beautiful cars the world has ever seen. Along with the DS I was furious that anyone who could afford a luxury car in the early 00's didn't buy a C6. The best luxury cruiser in a generation
Absolutely wonderful episode of FullyCharged that demonstrate exactly why the world needs you, Robert, and your show. Thank you, thank to you and your team. Keep it up 🙏
To sum up: "Ami" is French for "friend" Left door is the same as the right door. Front part is the same as the rear (apart the lights) No boot but a storage for a backpack in front of the passenger feet. Only the driver's seat can move forward / backwards. The car is slightly too big to park perpendicular to the road. No air con due to cost savings. Sunlight window The options are stickers to personalise your car. It's a brilliant city car, a smart design.
I've run a Smart EV in a small Canadian city for the last two years. It's tons of fun. It's brilliant at what it does and it does us for 99% of our driving. When we need to go on longer trips we rent.
In North America many households have two cars, usually used for different purposes. This would be a great "in-town" car and a bigger, more capable vehicle would be kept for longer trips or trips requiring 2+ passengers or significant luggage. Many daily drives are less than 70 km and never exceed 50 km/h. So overall, I'd say it's a perfect second car -- it just comes down to price.
@@TaiViinikka In the Uk most households have 2 cars. Using my parents as an example my dad had a larger company car and my mum a small Polo. Mum would take us to school and at the weekend we'd use dad's car. Mum only did 20 miles a day and dad 20,000 miles per year. For local trips or short commutes this would do the job.
This car is perfect for people living in cities ! Light, compact, quiet, and electric. Makes more sense than electric SUV's with all the tablets inside and abusive use of high-end technology that could potentially stop working a few years later. (I haven't heard of a single phone/tablet/PC working as well 7years after buying it... I expect it be the same with Tesla's). It also makes perfect sense making the car symmetrical to lower the production cost.
So funny how the doors open from opposite directions on either side, pretty quirky way to lower costs by using the same door. *Just realised something, apart from the roof and the rear window, the car is the same front and back!
The doors open on the same side, the left (if you're getting in). It's effectively an electric quad bike with 5 plastic panels bolted to it. I just wish that there were places to charge it if you don't have a garage or driveway (neither of which are common in most UK inner cities)
Here I rural Portugal there are loads of older drivers, driving around in 2 stroke 2 seater Aixam mini cars. They are SO noisy, it sounds like a tractor coming. They potter along at 40km, polluting like crazy and cost €15k new. These electric Amis wipe the floor with them. Might even buy one myself as a second, local use car.
@@MrStevegregory Ha! They are still on speaking terms, according to themselves. But we just benefit from two experienced and fun TV presenters reviewing the same cars 🙂 Double the entertainment 👍
I've always loved Citroen's 'avant-garde' approach to design and function and this is no exception, but I think it's a little bit ahead of its time. Once the ICE car population depletes and we're in a near electric car world where drivers have a different mindset to today, then I think cars like this will have real appeal. Great episode and definitely put a smile on my face 😁
you aren't far off.. i fance there is a class of vehicles that you can still drive when you've lost your licence, r are too young for a full licence... so they they are little 2-stroke pretend cars and are driven by people who've been caught drunk driving, or people who are so old they can't pass the sight test.... but live a couple of miles out of town.
In the USA we have the concept of a "station car"; usually a cheap old clunker for workers to drive to the train station to commute into the city (that way their spouse isn't stranded at home in the suburbs.) The Ami would be brilliant for this purpose. Bonus; it wouldn't cost a packet to add 120V charging outlets to the parking lots.
"Ami" means "Friend". The original Citroën Ami was based on the 2CV. The new Ami has identical doors on both sides and the front an rear are also very similar, to keep production costs as low as possible. Very innovative.
I think it's a smart concept for city car-sharing and renting pools. They are easy to use, small so easy to park (and allow companies to save money in parking areas),...
He wore those yellow boots on the first day of the first Fully Charged Live at Silverstone 3 years ago. Then as now, he can't be beat in knowing his (French) onions where cars are concerned.
Robert I love the car too. I know you love efficient cars. And you are right. We use too many resources just to move around town at low speeds. Most people travel alone and sometimes in big SUVs with 5 seats in the city.
Whatever you think of the looks of this thing, the bottom half looks properly engineered. However, the roof area doesn't seem to fit together properly. Maybe its just the way the sunroof fits, and maybe it looks OK in real life, but it looks like its bodged together in this video. I imagine there is a market for these things for use as pooled runabouts at companies with large sites. Some sites use adapted golf carts right now, but the Ami looks like a more comfortable option for wet days.
Me too, the car I fell in love with way back in I think 1960 on holiday in Cornwall a BMW isetta 250, 60 years later and I still remember loving it. Might have been the colour (bright red) since I was a kid and we all know what attracts kids. Colours and sounds.
Absolutely love it. Drive this to meet 95% of my needs and use an economical ICE car for the remaining 5%. Never mind car sharing for the Ami, how about car sharing hybrids, long distance EVs or ICEs. What's more, I live in a rural area, 15kms from my nearest village, but rarely go anywhere else. 50km range serves most of my needs. Not every mini car is just for city driving. I want one!
Great video and great French. I live in France and you nail the accent. We've started seeing these things in increasing numbers in the last few weeks. Citroen is going to sell millions of these (especially at 24 euro/month)!
@@mralistair737 I think it might still be fine when you consider that there is a margin before the fines are sent out. Though I get your point as there are areas with even lower limits.
Forget the VW ID3, THIS is the people's electric car. Great to see Citroen on top form again, this is 100% Citroen. If they can bring it to the UK for around £6K, it will sell.
![ARGENTINA vs. CHILE [3-0] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 7](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/De3AWmXzhuA/mqdefault.jpg)
LIKE if this episode made you smile and SHARE if you think all EVs should be this fun!
Robert has been banging on about wanting to see more smaller EVs and it looks like he might have got his wish! The Citroen Ami is cute, crazy and fun to drive. It might be very small but it has everything you legally need for a vehicle and its hard not to like it.
It might be the oddest first drive Robert has ever done, but he's so taken with this egg box on wheels that he sings the Ami's praises in French! The range is low, the top speed is low and there is literally only room in the back for a couple of baguettes, but we challenge anyone to drive this car and not feel ridiculously happy. In fact, the limited range is probably necessary to curb Robert's 'arse anxiety' from the slightly uncomfortable ride!
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Citroën UK has launched a website to gauge interest in potential plans to sell the Ami electric city car to British buyers: info.citroen.co.uk/new-cars/car-range/citroen-AMI/register-your-interest
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Please also make a mention of safety rating for the cars..these small cars as cute they come but it shouldnt be at the cost of safety
i must say that the g-wiz is very popular in Britain than in India so far in my life i have seen about 10 gwiz
This video has proper cheered me up today :) love a light hearted review by Robert
I currently use my car almost exclusively to drive my daughter to school (about 2 miles on 30-40mph roads) when she misses the bus, so this would be perfect for that. Not least because the thought of being seen in it would guarantee she’s ready in time to get the bus instead 🤣
Just watch out so you don't leave late!
2 miles is a brisk walk no? Depends on age, of course.
She could be bullied ! i own an Axiam 500 and my kids hated the school journey saying they was made fun of ! I'm now busy saving to own a Nissan leaf mid range outright, but love this little AMI, although i would think about a mod to increase range with extra batteries (if they could fit in ! ) and add flexible solar panels to the roof for that tiny extra ooomfff in summer ! take care all
@@morosis82 She’s 16 but there’s a big dual carriageway she’d have to cross and the pedestrian crossing arrangements are rudimentary at best so she probably wouldn’t survive the first week.
@@AndrewMolyneux I feel sorry for this generation. We had more independence at 10
Am I the only one that absolutely adores this little French delight. As a runaround I'd be smiling from ear to ear everyday.
You're not, James. It would do me perfectly for 99% of what I need a car for.
This is what the Twizy should have been like from the start.
The twizy is great as it is , just needs a bit more range and 10 more miles an hour
@@dmomcilovic9185 Mostly it needs proper doors, IMHO.
The twizzy is amazing Sir Stirling Moss has one up until he dies as its the only small centre seat driving experience that was worth while
Yep could not agree with you more. Why the hell they made the twizzy without proper doors is beyond me! I hope Citroen give us a twizzy version of this ami, as in one that can do the speed limit. I live in France and would buy one tomorrow if it could do 90kmh which is the national speed limit here, they missed something I guess. Or its politics stopping them because the car industry would shit a brick if they did make one!
@@tonypower9315 There are multiple reasons why it's limited to 45kmh:
- Regulations: with the limit, some EU countries allow this car to be driven from the age of 16, making it a perfect "first car" for children from urban families with enough money
- Safety: If it was faster, Citroen would have to equip this car with more safety features, which would make it more expensive to produce and therefore push the price up. This would make it less affordable.
- Urban lifestyle: This is based on a concept that centers around a progressive urban lifestyle. It's supposed to be good for sharing economy, short range and urban traffick, not highways.
- target groups: besides urban families a relevant target group is middle class and rich sub-urban families. They would probably adopt this as a second or even third car, since it's small, affordable and accessible, while also having charm, a modern and sustainable image. They don't need a long-range car, since they probably already have 2 and this would just be an affordable addition.
It looks like it was driven straight off the bed of a 3D printer.
Robert doesn't mention in the vid but you're not far wrong, the front and back are exactly the same panel.
the volume of most 3D printers should be sufficient!
You still use model clay at home?
Using one front-back panel and one left-right door clearly shows they are bound to one mold and not a free form printer
The forward part is the same than the rear part, the left door is the same than the right one, only it opens the other way. This in order to save on cost. True story!
Do you need to reverse or do you just flip the seat around?
Smart thinking to be honest
The Front part is exactly like the Rear part*
Back | Forward
Front | Rear
"Same than"??
Where do u leave? In a nutshell?
@@SimonStuff2000 thanks for correcting me
We need cheap electric car, so perfect ;)
The most Citroen Citroen in 30 years!!! it's brilliant!! bring it on!
wondered what citroen designers have been snorting, weirder and weirder
Ever since I was little, I always thought car manufacturers should use interchangeable panels to reduce costs. Today, my dream came true!
Wonders how Robert remembers what a hairdryer sounds like.
A distant memory 😄
cruel but true
Married with kids...
Ooh hoo cheeky!
so mean :)
Brilliant for a town car, I guess it’s restricted in terms of speed to meet the french “sans permis” regs. For a car sharing vehicle in the heart of a city, absolutely brilliant.
Oh, yeah, it'd be fantastic for car sharing
Yeah. Clearly it is electric 'scooter car' to fall under tractor/ moped category for driving license most directly.... the EU AM category driving license. Hence top speed of 45 km/h, since that is the max speed vehicle is allowed for AM license. Though technically AM applies at max to trikes. However many of EU countries expand it nationally to tractors/moped cars and say "if it is AM category vehicle with one extra wheel, well one can still on national decision drive it with AM license. Even if vehicle now is nationally regulated tractor/quad moped/micro car, instead of EU wide AM category scooter.".
Any faster in this unstable eyesore and range would be in single digits.
In France you can drive that from 14 years old, safer than a two wheels...
@@ErraticPT Twizzy does 80kmh, and that's closer to car than Twizzy, but it hasn't normal doors and it's not that good for cold weather.
If Amy has 80kmh capable version, I'll get one. 45kmh is slow for the ring roads and we have many 80kmh city roads.
Robert’s impression of a pissed off Parisian is 100% spot on!
Reminds me of the Jonny taxi from total recall. 😁
Sorry just noticed your comment. Same thoughts😂😂
Could Arnie get into it?
"You have arrived at your destination"
As it happens, Jonny Smith has just done a review of this as well :-).
"Jonny Cab" indeed!
Yeeesss!!! 🤣
At 485Kg I could get this in the back of my van, which opens up some interesting possiblities for camping holiday transport.
A Class A diesel pusher could carry one on a bumper shelf.
This car is absurd. Ridiculous. And utterly lovable!
A lot less ridiculous than the honking great SUVs that some people insist on clogging the streets with.
So absurd and ridiculous, that it makes you feel sympathetic. If it was 80kmh capable, I would get one.
@@jordan9339 That would be the limited-run "daredevil" or "death wish" edition then...
@@koma-k Twizzy is 80kmh capable but it has no windows, and I need it for the winter. What's so scary about 80kmh? It will be scarier to drive on the ring road with 45kmh.
Europe! We do only buy Tesla!
I for one welcome the long overdue return of automotive Gallic high weirdness.
Cool dudes for the French : The name is Bond.
Cool dudes for the English : bOnJoUr Je m'ApPeLlE rObErT!
Le voiture du Tesla!
Possibly the perfect city car. I'd be genuinely interested in owning one
How cool would it be if you could link them up like a caterpillar
An electric caterpillar. You may be onto something!!
Dude you're killing me rn🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I second that (and probably less ironic than you intended). :D Makes a 4seater Ami. Or should I rather write Amis then, if you can take 3 friends with you instead of just one? (Link 3 if you're a family with 2 children, a Grandma and a dog.)
The ami centapede
@@immanuelkantholz9033 exactly.
Please, Citroën, build us an electric 2CV. That I'd buy.
It’s got 2cv flip up windows. 😎
Burton did an electric version of their 2CV based roadster. And if you live in the US or UK you can easily retrofit a standard 2CV. It might be possible in France in 2021, but only at an high cost and with an authorized company.
or let cintroen do the design and let hmm...germans do the engineering? or some Japanese engineers, they do pretty well with small Kei cars for a decade.
VG Idea 👍
40mph would be great
Completely and utterly bonkers! I love it. Perfect as part of a car share scheme in a busy city.
Oh man, Robert's impression of a french cool dude is spot on! I completely lost it :P
Great to see Robert really happy and completely in awe 🤩!!!!!!
Well, I’d drive one of these. It would be perfect for my urban environment.
Cute little thing. Had I lived in Paris or London, it'd probably be perfect 9/10 times!
well sort of... I live in london and the only time we really need a car is to go and get something that is too big or heavy for the bus/train.. so in this the christmas tree would have to go in the passenger seat while my wife got the bus home. You''d normally never drive to just get yourself somewhere else as it'll likely be the slowest way to get there. (or you're having a drink when you arrive). I cant help but think that enough storage space for a weeks shopping would have been achievable... that and the fact that 3-pin charging is probably harder to find than ccs chargers since very few people have off-street parking.
Driving in London really should be only if you need to move bulky stuff or you are going to awkward outer bits. Public transport is fine 99% of the time. What we need is access to something on the edge of London so people can get out and aren't limited by trains.
While I did love the public transport in London, I can totally see reasons you might want a car, especially something like this that can park on a penny.
Imagine if they took half the parking spots and cut them in half for people driving something like this. Parking would all of a sudden get a lot easier.
I wonder if you can get the train with it during off-peak time... when it rains, you know
Yep, went with a Mini electric in London, but this would have done it much cheaper...
Citroen really has a different approach to how they see cars being used in large urban areas, with car sharing in mind. It's really interesting what they did there and I hope to see more of these in europes city centers in the future.
This is quirky and absolutely adorable. Welcome back Citroën, we've missed you...
Thats a Boot Car, you can put it in the boot of those big SUV's. I love small cars myself had a 1985 Mini when I was living in the UK and absolutely loved it.
The windows open like a 2CV, and the doors are identical! Robert did not discover that the drivers door is hinged at the back, while the passenger's is hinged at the front. That is so Citroen. I've seen a couple of reviews of this, and it is utterly charming. The French have a category of small simple, cars that used to be called "cycle-cars". Basically 4-wheeled scooters. Kids over 16 could drive them without needing a license. Not much range, and no amenities. This is absolutely a 21st Century version of that sort of thing! I love it. I'm not sure I could afford it, but I am going to look at the website.
My first impression on seeing it in the light blue was of the Invacar distributed for free in the U.K. in the ‘60s.
The same colour too!
@@shaharzeevstorch3516 yeah....what? Free cars?
Free cars! 🧐
Hahaha exactly what I thought 😂
They were disability cars most were govorment owned and borrowed by the disabled person
Your reaction to this was the same as my reaction when I first drove a Smart. Grinning from ear to ear!
I’ve owned 3 Smarts over the years & I’d definitely consider one of these as runabout, just for the smiles. 😎
I loved driving the smart. It’s sad to see what’s happened to it.
Vanadium flow storage batteries are going to be huge. No degradation. Perfect for storage.
All it needs is that Tesla fame spark. China already has a huge one.
Worked with a chap a few years ago who worked on these batteries in the 1970s sponsored by the DTI in the UK. Can't remember why he said they were a non-starter.
they might be a little heavy for this car.. ... and too heavy for all cars more than likely. but for grid storage a flow battery is a likely viable solution...
@@mralistair737 Not for cars, grid storage. The batteries are liquid. It's one of the best solutions, also for safety.
They need to have an optional bumper sticker...."I'm pedaling as fast as I can".
Looks like something from Total Recall, Johnny Taxi😂 I’ll put that on my Christmas list😉
This is the Kryten Kab
I am an Anglo Canadian living in Paris and have started to see them more and more and absolutely love them.
This is the type of car i want to see Tesla do.
Nah, it would be 20k instead of the 5k this costs.
Microcars are not "profit able"
The likes of the Citroën C1 would be expected to make a 5% profit margin per unit, executive cars like Teslas and Audis mark for 20% or more
Well, maybe. But would not a "VW beetle" from Tesla, if they can refrain from fun and games (and luxury), and focus on low price and decent range instead, probably be a pretty good car?
@@baronvonlimbourgh1716 and the panel fit would be worse :)
@@RobinCapper and the sucky buisiness model would still exist as well.
In a world where more and more people work from home, driving is less. Something like this can be workable.
A small point: It's "ah-mi" (last syllable pronounced like the English word "me") and not "Ammy".
I could watch Robert talk about anything - he's absolutely magnificent - I genuinely look forward to the next episode of fully charged!
6:22 Robert's French impersonation got me laughing XD
However it is pronounced Citro-e-n (and written Citroën).
Lemon Enterprise 😁
See trow en
👍
Lemon 🍋 friend 😂
@@steel1583 Could you explain what you are trying to say
This is the perfect car for Paris and big cities in general! Love this so much!
Beyond useless for me up in the Highlands, but I still want one! That and the new 2020 Aptera. I love vehicles which represent different ideas
Gallic Genius. They are going to sell millions of these things.
Both to youngsters as an alternative to an electric moped (it's not coincidence that the up-front cost of the Ami is about the same as a new E-moped, 2600€) but also to people who want a "second car" that does not require yearly inspections, expensive car tax and expensive maintenance. I'd buy one of these in a heartbeat if they were for sale here, it would replace our regular car for 80% of the trips we make. The Ami is often misunderstood. Everyone who demands "more range, more speed, more everything" is completely missing the point namely that it is *not legally an automobile*. Also, thanks to low range, speed and weight it recharges in 3 hours from a regular socket. The haters are plain wrong, this is brilliant.
The battery is listed at 5.5 kWh. Range (theoretical): 70 km -reviews, so far, have shown it's optimistic.
In France you can purchase it in electronic retailers 'Fnac' for less than 7 000€.
A bit too expensive for a double electric scooter with a roof, imo... The Chinese will probably sell something similar for half the price.
@@alexiancu87 , it's seems to be a great solution for on-demand mobility.
The now defunct 'Autolib' had expensive vehicles, never turned a profit.
With cheaper cars, easy to clean and repair, such a service can be viable.
Plus, for well of households, with it make for a good first car for the youngsters, and a dedicated vehicle for urban short hops.
@@jizzlecizzle1388 yes, the car is great, no denying that, but the price seems a bit high for an urban commuter...
@@alexiancu87 , I don't think it get be significantly lower right now.
It's a already made with cheap plastics and frugal options.
Battery prices is the main factor.
@@jizzlecizzle1388 battery prices are now below 200€ per kWh. This makes the entire battery be at around 1000€, which leaves room for improving the price.
If they make a (mixed use) cargo version, it would be ideal as a shop/company runabout for city use. Have your name on the side, couple cases of equipment for photographers, or space for pharmacy deliveries, quick supply run for a restaurant? The kind of odd jobs that require you to carry a bit too much to go by bicycle. All in a very attractive compact electric eye-catcher.
The future bring it on Citreon ahead of the game as usual.
This Citroën Ami is the most french car made this year. And impersonating of le'cool pariz guy is on professional level. Also Robert is best electric car reviewer, hands down.
1st thing that comes to my mind is postman Pat
can we have it in red?
Nissan Cube.
Postman Pat wouldn’t be seen dead in this
Good job I watched Jonny Smiths The Late Brake Show first for a sensible informed comments before being"entertained" by Robert
I'm finding increasingly that watching both in that order is exactly the way to do things.
@@djyx8 That's actually a pretty serious point about the way electric cars deliver power of course. 8hp and briefly can outdrag a Landie :)
Love the production quality of another fully charged vid
If I lived in Paris, I would totally have one of these cars. It's perfect for cities and I love it for that.
It's lovely .
We want this in uk asap
That car is crazier than you can see. There is same piece of the door on the left and right sides. There is same piece of the mask at the front and at the back. Ideal car into city. I love it.
It's 'adaptateur' (note the extra 'ta'), or is I say to my French wife, "donnez l'adaptatatatatateur!"
Just this reply 😱😊😘
Optional, DC charging for commercial users I may hope.
Well its something to put in the trunk of cybertruck or a F150
@James Braselton yeah - but if you are driving to town with a F150 - maybe its better to park it outside the town and drive the last miles in a backup AMI :-) - Musk recently said he had problems parking a Tesla X in Berlin - imagine a F150! - An AMI in the trunk with solve that issue! /s
Whole 11 minute video i tried to find that whether it has a second seat beside driving seat or not. But thank to the brilliant videography I am unsuccessful.
It's two ✌🏻 seats, just about
If you Google "mad as a sack full of badgers" it just says "Citroen"
Just the way it should be!!
i think you'll see a picture of rob there too!
@@seanvityaz
I think they missed a Red Dwarf opportunity.... "The episode where Krytens language processor gets stuck in French mode"!
They've been rather too sensible in recent years, so this is a welcome return to form.
Never ever change citroen. We need bonkers French design. It puts such a smile on my face. And evey so often they come up with some of the most beautiful cars the world has ever seen. Along with the DS I was furious that anyone who could afford a luxury car in the early 00's didn't buy a C6. The best luxury cruiser in a generation
Absolutely wonderful episode of FullyCharged that demonstrate exactly why the world needs you, Robert, and your show. Thank you, thank to you and your team. Keep it up 🙏
" Lets turn this on...That sounds exactly like a hairdryer" - Yes it did Robert. It did indeed!!
i bet it is a hair drier just pluged in for the heater
To sum up:
"Ami" is French for "friend"
Left door is the same as the right door.
Front part is the same as the rear (apart the lights)
No boot but a storage for a backpack in front of the passenger feet.
Only the driver's seat can move forward / backwards.
The car is slightly too big to park perpendicular to the road.
No air con due to cost savings.
Sunlight window
The options are stickers to personalise your car.
It's a brilliant city car, a smart design.
My vacuum cleaner has better cable management :)
I don't think you're supposed to shove in in there with the adapter still attached. ;-)
@@Siriuslichtblau yes if you watch other French videos without the British plug adaptor it fits in no problem.i think it’s great.
Not being able to shut the door while charging isn't exactly practical for urban life - that'll need a redesign!
imagine pulling that cable every single day :D auch.
and is faster
I've run a Smart EV in a small Canadian city for the last two years. It's tons of fun. It's brilliant at what it does and it does us for 99% of our driving. When we need to go on longer trips we rent.
I can see this sort of car has urban environments in mind. In most rush hours 30mph would be fast.
In North America many households have two cars, usually used for different purposes. This would be a great "in-town" car and a bigger, more capable vehicle would be kept for longer trips or trips requiring 2+ passengers or significant luggage. Many daily drives are less than 70 km and never exceed 50 km/h. So overall, I'd say it's a perfect second car -- it just comes down to price.
@@TaiViinikka In the Uk most households have 2 cars. Using my parents as an example my dad had a larger company car and my mum a small Polo. Mum would take us to school and at the weekend we'd use dad's car. Mum only did 20 miles a day and dad 20,000 miles per year.
For local trips or short commutes this would do the job.
@@user-jt1jv8vl9r So your mother did 5,600 miles per year, 28% of what your father did in a year?
I think my favorite feature is that "if you adjust the mirrors in the wrong place, you can't open the windows" 🤣
I think I've just spotted Eastville Park and Fishponds Rd. Nope, it can't be: it was sunny...
I was the same!
When was our last sunny day? I can't remember it...
This car is perfect for people living in cities !
Light, compact, quiet, and electric. Makes more sense than electric SUV's with all the tablets inside and abusive use of high-end technology that could potentially stop working a few years later. (I haven't heard of a single phone/tablet/PC working as well 7years after buying it... I expect it be the same with Tesla's). It also makes perfect sense making the car symmetrical to lower the production cost.
A car like this should also come with a “FREE PARKING EVERYWHERE” registration number....(please share this with your local MP) 😊🇬🇧
In Scandinavia, it has!
Une bonne idée!
I'm glad you've decided to give serotonin ago! Genuinely your much more upbeat, no rants, wonderful, love AMI too.
8:12 "I've got ass anxiety, it's quite a hard ride"
This truely the EV of the future, cheap to make, cheap to own, great for the environment and looking cool as well. Bloody Genius.
So funny how the doors open from opposite directions on either side, pretty quirky way to lower costs by using the same door.
*Just realised something, apart from the roof and the rear window, the car is the same front and back!
I just noticed that!
The doors open on the same side, the left (if you're getting in). It's effectively an electric quad bike with 5 plastic panels bolted to it. I just wish that there were places to charge it if you don't have a garage or driveway (neither of which are common in most UK inner cities)
I Love your presenting style, Robert! You're very charismatic and have a great personality! Keep it up!💪🏻👍🏻😊
we need electric 45kmh vehicles like yesterday... because ice 45 cars have really shit engines that end up being a real nuisance
Yep small ICE engines are just horrible and ureliable. Modern Lithium Ion drive trains are less frustrating.
Here I rural Portugal there are loads of older drivers, driving around in 2 stroke 2 seater Aixam mini cars. They are SO noisy, it sounds like a tractor coming. They potter along at 40km, polluting like crazy and cost €15k new. These electric Amis wipe the floor with them. Might even buy one myself as a second, local use car.
I am French. I like the way you behave like a French, with your very good accent !
Looks like Jonny beat you to it today 😛
Lovely car! ❤️
Just visualised them queueing for the test drive as it's the same reg. 😂
@@MrStevegregory Ha! They are still on speaking terms, according to themselves. But we just benefit from two experienced and fun TV presenters reviewing the same cars 🙂 Double the entertainment 👍
I've always loved Citroen's 'avant-garde' approach to design and function and this is no exception, but I think it's a little bit ahead of its time. Once the ICE car population depletes and we're in a near electric car world where drivers have a different mindset to today, then I think cars like this will have real appeal. Great episode and definitely put a smile on my face 😁
looks like a modern version of the old invalid carrieges
you aren't far off.. i fance there is a class of vehicles that you can still drive when you've lost your licence, r are too young for a full licence... so they they are little 2-stroke pretend cars and are driven by people who've been caught drunk driving, or people who are so old they can't pass the sight test.... but live a couple of miles out of town.
In the USA we have the concept of a "station car"; usually a cheap old clunker for workers to drive to the train station to commute into the city (that way their spouse isn't stranded at home in the suburbs.) The Ami would be brilliant for this purpose. Bonus; it wouldn't cost a packet to add 120V charging outlets to the parking lots.
Such a cute car 🚗
It's a deux chevaux for our times. Perfect for its intended environment. Vive La Citroen!
Reminds me of the old invalid cars that were about 40 some years ago, even the same colour.
"Ami" means "Friend". The original Citroën Ami was based on the 2CV. The new Ami has identical doors on both sides and the front an rear are also very similar, to keep production costs as low as possible. Very innovative.
Petition to call it the c2e
2ce would be a better proposal
I think it's a smart concept for city car-sharing and renting pools. They are easy to use, small so easy to park (and allow companies to save money in parking areas),...
Someone should continue the iMiev!
I think so too. It would be all the car I'd need.
@@dlittlester
Yep with a better modern battery it'd still be a great car!
@@_a.z For me, even with the original one, it would serve my purpose.
@@dlittlester
10 years old and mine's still doing 90% of our journeys!
Looks like a dream DIY platform to be honest!
Will you forgive me? For I have sinned e-Father. I watched The other lanky bloke with bling shoes and smarts review first, and enjoyed it.
Me too. But it’s still good to have both :)
He wore those yellow boots on the first day of the first Fully Charged Live at Silverstone 3 years ago. Then as now, he can't be beat in knowing his (French) onions where cars are concerned.
Robert I love the car too. I know you love efficient cars. And you are right. We use too many resources just to move around town at low speeds. Most people travel alone and sometimes in big SUVs with 5 seats in the city.
As always, it's been a typical Robert fun video, so thumbs up!
But a "Quality Egg Box" is still not a real car for me..!
And it’s not. It’s a « quadricycle » not a car.
Whatever you think of the looks of this thing, the bottom half looks properly engineered. However, the roof area doesn't seem to fit together properly. Maybe its just the way the sunroof fits, and maybe it looks OK in real life, but it looks like its bodged together in this video.
I imagine there is a market for these things for use as pooled runabouts at companies with large sites. Some sites use adapted golf carts right now, but the Ami looks like a more comfortable option for wet days.
My first impression is of an isetta bubble car
Me too, the car I fell in love with way back in I think 1960 on holiday in Cornwall a BMW isetta 250, 60 years later and I still remember loving it. Might have been the colour (bright red) since I was a kid and we all know what attracts kids. Colours and sounds.
Perfect for golfing! (As long as your clubs can be strapped to the top!)
It absolutely serves me right! I too have been banging on about smaller EV's. It does make me smile though. I wonder if it will tow a caravan?
Absolutely love it. Drive this to meet 95% of my needs and use an economical ICE car for the remaining 5%. Never mind car sharing for the Ami, how about car sharing hybrids, long distance EVs or ICEs. What's more, I live in a rural area, 15kms from my nearest village, but rarely go anywhere else. 50km range serves most of my needs. Not every mini car is just for city driving. I want one!
Glad to see Robert is finally considering a vehicle meant for people his age :)
And I wasn't even going to comment on the fact that with the new haircut he just looks like an egg, perfect for the egg box. I wasn't, really ;)
Great video and great French. I live in France and you nail the accent. We've started seeing these things in increasing numbers in the last few weeks. Citroen is going to sell millions of these (especially at 24 euro/month)!
Speed camera proof! Perfect for cities. Great for car sharing schemes as well. I suspect perfect for millions for the daily commute as well.
our local speed limit is 20mph, so you still have to look out!
@@mralistair737 I think it might still be fine when you consider that there is a margin before the fines are sent out. Though I get your point as there are areas with even lower limits.
It has a 5.5 kwh battery (5.34 kwh usable) 😉 nice video, love your French.
Disappointed by the lack of two opposing steering wheels.
not sure mr bean can use i dont think the roof could take the chair weight
Forget the VW ID3, THIS is the people's electric car. Great to see Citroen on top form again, this is 100% Citroen. If they can bring it to the UK for around £6K, it will sell.