Citroen Ami 2021 review: the most fun electric car you can't buy (in the UK)?

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When the Citroen Ami was unveiled in concept form in 2019, many of us thought it would be another one of those ‘mobility’ prototypes that doesn’t stand any hope in being made. But we were wrong, because a year later the Ami was unveiled in production form as a way of bringing electric thrills to the masses.

There was only one problem, us folk in the UK wouldn’t be getting it. The Ami was restricted to mainland Europe, with all models being sold in left-hand-drive form. So it was a tad bizarre when Citroen asked us if we’d like a go on one. In the UK.

Of course, we jumped at the offer. And while we were only allowed to drive it in Citroen’s carpark, we had plenty of time to get a feel for the Ami and see whether it should have come to the UK or stayed on the mainland.

Oh, and Citroen recently launched a website to gauge the local interest in the Ami, with it becoming evermore likely the company will bring it to Britain. But should it?

Chapters:

0:00 Intro
1:06 Design
3:06 Interior design
4:09 Interior tech
4:52 Charging
5:46 Driving
6:09 Battery and motor
7:13 Performance
8:10 Parking
8:44 Ride and comfort
9:09 Is it cool?
10:09 Hot lap
10:52 Will it come to the UK?
12:13 Verdict

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[dlittlester]

I'm old enough to have gotten over caring what people thought of me by what I was driving. At this part of my life, this would be almost perfect. It would get me by the side streets to the shops, and a quick run down to my nearest pub.
What more can you ask for?

[eskjaimes]

Really hope they bring these to the UK market, it's the first EV/car I've ever been genuinely interested in!

[SpockvsMcCoy]

The original Citroen 2CV had 9 Horsepower and was so spartan that at that time it defined what was only really necessary.
This Ami is brilliant because it defines what a fully electric car only needs.

[Jiefyang]

Shut up and take my money! I want 3. It’ll be great for my 6miles commute

[philippeplouchart]

I would change the Ami seats with the classic 2CV spring-loaded bench seat, working around that hand brake. What fun! Safer than a scooter.

[kitersrefuge]

I love it. Apart from the safety aspect of getting shunted by a "regular" car, I absolutely love its minimalist approach...especially the plug for recharging. Its minimalism is so Muskish...it belies belief.

[Elkott]

This design is really ingenious, if they made a slightly larger car version with longer range and able to do motorway speeds for around 10 grand I'd buy one tomorrow

[prieten]

Hooray! The suicide door is back! I think the electrical socket requirement will be a problem for apartment dwellers. Some kind of transparent solar panel for the roof window maybe?

[chickenpiie]

I'm going to tell everyone I CAN drive (even though it's only one car) I now have a (invisible) DRIVERS LICENSE.

[CH-vbkr]

My main concern is how does it performs on STEEP hills - I don't want speed to drop to 5mph or worse trying to go up a steep hill with a lorry tailgating me.

[angelicapeach]

Hello thank you for the tour. No boot? My friend in France bought one and she has a small boot. Cheers 🎉

[jaisabai]

Fantastic little thing.
But does it do right turns? 🤔

[ajw]

“You even have a panoramic rood as standard”
Yes Lucid, as standard.

[wakilahmad]

They should bring dat car in uk as they Gona have bare range of buyers .
I'm one of them

[danmccarthy]

I feel like if you removed the Citroen badges entirely, you'd still be able to tell it's a Citroen.

[lofty]

I wonder if they might release a portable unit which could be taken inside and plugged in to then recharge the car? Otherwise if you live in a flat and park on street etc you would struggle to charge it.

[ianworley]

PLEASE do a UK version Citroen. It's absolutely genius. I'd do 90% of my driving in one. Imagine how much city emissions could be reduced by.

[michaelsteirn]

Great test drive but when the dealership tell you about the long waiting list. Just not worth it. Best to buy something else smaller

[markockwell]

I have already registered for one with Citroen - So I hope they release them in dear old blitty. A little more speed would have been nice though - say 40mph and a range of 60 miles would be perfect, personally I can not wait to get behind the wheel.... 👌👌🤞🤞

[johnwalker]

You keep crossing your hands on the steering wheel and you will need help to untie them at some point.
Loved the car though