Tik Tech: We tested Citroën's AMI electric quadricycle -
20 Minutes
Citroën is launching AMI, its electric mobility solution for the city, with a range of 75 km at 45 km / h maximum.
This small quadricycle that "20 Minutes" tested can be driven without a license, from 14 years old.
Cool, and pleasant to drive, it is sold from 6,000 euros, but especially with leasing solutions that allow it to be paid only 19.99 euros per month, the price of a classic telephone plan, after a first contribution .
No, it's not a car, but a quadricycle.
At Citroën who designed it, we speak of "electric mobility situation", a somewhat pompous name to finally describe what, in the eyes of all, remains a small car.
Either AMI.
And AMI can be driven from 14 years old, without a license.
The vehicle landed in some of the manufacturer's dealerships, but also, more surprisingly, at FNAC and at Darty, for the price of a telephone package or almost.
"20 Minutes" pressed the accelerator ...
A surprisingly spacious living space
Before releasing the horses, let's release the technical sheet: AMI weighs 471 kilos (including 70 for its 5.5 Kwh Lithium Ion battery).
It is 2.41 meters long (28 cm shorter than a Smart fortwo, the equivalent of half a parking space), 1.39 meters wide and 1.52 meters high.
When you look at the quadricyle, it looks like those small unlicensed cars that you sometimes pass, but much less old-fashioned.
However, AMI's design is the subject of debate: we like or don't like the somewhat gloomy gray-painted machine that only spices up the red finish of its imposing rims.
On board AMI, an astonishing place is available for the driver.
- CHRISTOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES
Its marked curves hide a secret.
As soon as you open one of AMI's two doors, you discover a large interior.
Our 1.91 meter slips in without having to twist.
We put our posterior on one of the two seats which, let's face it, lacks a little width for a person of our size.
Even mellow.
But the interior is big, very big even.
In the driver's seat, the legs slip comfortably under the steering wheel.
Same observation for the passenger seat, in slight decline: the available space imposes it.
Minimalist equipment, like the vehicle.
- CHRISTOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES
In the absence of a safe, AMI can without the slightest difficulty transport large tote bags, travel bags or suitcases.
The glass ceiling bathes the interior in light.
Examining the interior, we see that the finishes are basic.
The tubular structure of AMI is apparent.
Minimalism and reduction in manufacturing costs require…
45 km / h no more
Contact.
Not a sound.
Only the little dashboard that lights up tells us that our mount is ready for adventure.
At the end of August when the weather is still mild in the streets of Paris, you can drive with your windows open.
We note Citroën's nod to the ancestor 2 CV and its tilting windows.
AMI can drive up to 45 km / h and has a range of 75 km.
- CITROEN
As soon as you put your foot on the accelerator, AMI starts up.
Surprisingly, the vehicle has torque when starting.
By restarting at the first green light encountered, we do not have to be ashamed in front of the thermal vehicles following us.
Not very flexible, a little rigid even, AMI is however piloted without difficulty.
No speed to change, driving is linear
As soon as the way is clear, we defy the counter: impossible to exceed the 45 km / h announced by the manufacturer.
The small sound of a rocket ready to take off that accompanies acceleration has nothing to do with that to which the most attentive ears are already accustomed with certain electric cars, such as the Renault Zoe.
If it quickly reaches its limits, the 6 kW engine (8 HP equivalent) is more than enough for the urban use for which AMI is intended.
In the absence of an on-board audio system, Citroën has entered into a partnership with Ultimate Ears, which has designed a speaker dedicated to the vehicle, the Boom 3. This can be placed in a dedicated receptacle at the front of the steering wheel.
Ultimate Ears has developed the Boom 3, a Bluetooth speaker dedicated to AMI.
- ULTIMATE EARS
Even if we hear a lot of exterior noises (probably due to a lack of insulating materials on board), we can enjoy our music in relatively good conditions.
With a little pleasure on this almost autumnal morning: listening to Boris Vian and his festive sound
We are not here to be yelled at
.
Feeling of freedom.
After a passage over cobblestones where we can see that the comfort of the vehicle is still quite spartan, we try an emergency braking: the brake pedal is firm, but AMI stops quietly, calmly, without skidding.
A niche in two stages three movements
The time to try a niche has arrived.
To reverse, you must activate a small button at the bottom, to the left of the driver's chair.
Not very practical: you have to take your eyes off the street to find it.
Same thing to activate forward gear where another button must be engaged.
We imagine that with practice, this manipulation must be done intuitively.
The simplicity of parking AMI remains edifying.
Hop, hop and it's done.
And the vehicle's impressive turning radius (7.20 meters in diameter) allows it to easily slip through.
A fairly basic level of finish, but which is easily accommodated.
- CHRISTOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES
We regularly examine the remaining autonomy of our battery displayed on the central meter.
This is indicated as a percentage.
Once at our base, all you have to do is extract the electric cable located in the passenger door to charge the vehicle using a simple power outlet in just 3 hours.
Smart ...
Citroën and AMI seem ready for this famous world of tomorrow.
During our Parisian journey behind the wheel of the vehicle, the few 4x4s encountered seemed to belong to that of the past.
The chevron brand's zero CO2 emission vehicle is not a small electric car like Renault's pioneer Twizy.
An innovative marketing system, modeled on smartphone packages.
- CHRISTOPHE SEFRIN / 20 MINUTES
With AMI, the bad word “disruptive” can be pronounced.
The automaker not only broke new ground with a practical, cool and cunning little vehicle, but also figured out how to make a splash commercially.
Sold from 6,000 to 7,360 euros in cash, AMI is offered with LLD (long-term rental) contracts over 48 months.
It can be purchased on the web, in certain Citroën stores, but also at FNAC Darty.
Innovation: AMI is sold in the FNAC Darty network.
- FNAC DARTY
First prize: a payment of 2,641 euros (ecological bonus deducted), then 19.99 euros per month over 48 months.
Or the monthly rate of a telephone plan.
Failing that, AMI can be hired from the Parisian car-sharing network Free2Move: 26 cents per minute of driving if you are a subscriber.
Definitely, the code has changed.
Twizy, green and economical by Renault
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Young people make contact
According to Citroën, more than 1,000 AMI orders have already been registered.
Among the buyers, 81% were not Citroën customers.
74% of them paid for their vehicle in cash, 26% acquired it by leasing.
80% of buyers are men and 48% already have at least 2 children who will be able to benefit from AMI from the age of 14 (with the AM license, former BSR).
42% of the first small vehicle buyers are under 18 years old.
Video
20 minutes video
Mobility
Car
Electric car
Citroen
High-Tech