Martyn Collins tries Citroën’s new urban mobility solution that’s potentially on its way to the UK.

Citroën Ami

SECTOR Quadricycle PRICE £6,000 (est) CHARGING 7kW AC RANGE 43 miles

Think of the Ami as a mobility solution to get round cities rather than a car and, at just 2.41 metres long, it seems perfectly suited to that.

Technically a quadricycle, it’s underpinned by a welded-steel subframe, to which unpainted plastic panels are attached – the front and rear are identical to save manufacturing costs. Neat design features include the left driver’s door, which is hinged at the rear; suicide door-style. Then there are the hinged side windows – borrowed from the iconic 2CV.

Overall, it looks like nothing else and has just the right amount of Citroën quirkiness.

The inside of the Ami is basic, with plenty of dark, hard-wearing textured plastics. In front of the non-airbagged wheel, there is a small digital display showing the speed and battery charge. To the right (the Ami is only available in left-hand drive), there’s a basic centre console with buttons for the warning lights and single speed fan. Your own phone clips to the top, providing sat nav and music. The interior feels spacious, the driving position is comfortable, the plastic seats supportive and visibility is impressive too.

Total power of 8hp and a 28mph top speed do not sound enough, but the Ami’s 6kWh motor and 5.5kWh battery give speedy acceleration and the 43-mile range should be enough for town work. There is no fast or rapid charging option either, instead the Ami has its own cable and plug – but Citroën still claims it will take just three hours for a full charge.

On city streets, other traffic magnifies worryingly, the ride is best described as firm and the steering slow, but the Ami is still great fun to drive.

Citroën is still deciding whether to import the Ami to the UK. We hope it does, as the tiny city vehicle is a far more attractive urban option than an electric bike or scooter.

Fleet World Rating: 4/5