serial electric car for 6000 euros – Autoreview

Here is such a capsule on wheels from now on will open the European model range of the Citroen brand. Surprised? But the Andre Citroen brand is not only the goddess DS, hydropneumatic suspension and avant-garde design. Extremely simple and cheap little car Citroen 2CV played a crucial role in the post-war motorization of both France and all of Europe. And the latest Citroen Ami electric car should become a de-shvo reincarnation in modern reality and embodies a new vision of urban mobility.

The Ami One show car was introduced a year ago, but the final version, although it retained the overall concept, is very different from the original car. The double shuttle is more compact than Smart: length – 2410 mm, width – 1390 mm, and height – 1520 mm. 14-inch wheels are placed in the corners (the concept had 18-inch wheels), and the turning circle is only 7.2 m.

The savings in the development and production of Ami are elevated to the absolute: the cars have the same doors on the left and right (and they swing open, respectively, in different directions), as well as the front and rear claddings. The side window sections are tilted by hand, the mirrors are also mechanically adjusted. Against this background, the standard glass roof panel looks like a luxury.

In the simplest cabin – a pair of “chairs”, and the passenger is fixed rigidly, and the driver can only be adjusted in the longitudinal direction. Instead of devices – a short screen, and instead of “music” – a docking station for connecting a smartphone. There are two luggage racks – behind the seats and in the opening in front of the passenger. A compartment for the charging cable is located in the rear right wing with access from the doorway.

Legally, the Citroen Ami is a lightweight quadricycle, which is allowed to operate from 16 years old, and in France – even from 14 years old. But the flip side is the severe limitation of performance. Therefore, the Citroen Ami has an electric motor with a capacity of only 6 kW (8.2 hp), the mass without a traction battery is the maximum permissible 425 kg, and the maximum speed is 45 km / h. A 5.5 kWh lithium-ion battery located under the floor should be enough for 70 km of run, and recharging from a conventional outlet will take three hours. Modern safety systems like ABS and airbags are not here, because by law they are not mandatory for quadricycles.

Ami is positioned in the company primarily as an alternative to scooters, bicycles and public transport, therefore, among the main advantages mentioned are an indoor cabin and the presence of a heater. In spring, these cars will appear in French car sharing: PSA-owned operator Free2Move will offer Ami for 26 cents per minute. Long-term rental is possible: for example, upon signing a contract for four years, the monthly fee will be 20 euros.

Traditional sales will also be: taking into account the state subsidy (900 euros) in France, Citroen Ami will ask for 6,000 euros. For the electric train, this is a very attractive price, because, say, similar Aixam battery quadricycles cost from 14,900 euros. However, by the general car standards, Ami is expensive, because already for 8150 euros you can take a full Dacia Logan sedan. Accepting online orders for Ami will be open at the end of March, and deliveries will begin in June.

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