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Ami One: Citroen unveils its mobility concept for the future

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Author: | Updated: 19 Feb 2019 10:28

Citroen has a long history of designing some strange cars, and this is its latest offering: the Ami 1 concept. 

There’s no word on a production variant, but the tiny concept car will be on show at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The French word for friend, the Ami badge has been used before by Citroen – notably the Ami6 – a car based on the cheap and cheerful 2CV – a car aimed at getting rural France mobile by replacing the horse and cart.

Citroen Ami One interior

Read more: What can manufacturers learn from their past?

It’s fitting then, that the cube-like Ami 1 could potentially become a mobility solution for the future, although it’s cities and urban areas Citroen is concentrating on here rather than country-dwelling farmers.

Citroen Ami One front

So what actually is it? Well, a tiny two-seat car that can be driven in some countries without a licence.

We know that this means it’ll meet Europe’s quadricycle regulations: less than 1.5m wide, a top speed of 28mph and less than 450kg in weight – not a long-distance cruiser, but it would certainly meet the need of city users, particularly considering it’s all-electric.

Inside, the design is just as wacky as the outside. The satnav, infotainment and driver read-out is integrated into a single unit above the square steering wheel. Windows aren’t electric, while a hand-operated folding sunroof is a similar design to a 2CV’s.

Citroen Ami One rear lights

Usership over ownership

Citroen wants to offer the Ami One as an ‘on demand’ customer experience. A truly connected object designed to be used in conjunction with aps, several options spanning car-sharing, rental and purchase will be available to consumers.

Talking to Autocar, Citroen vice-president Xavier Peugeot said: “The young are connected to use, not ownership. To me, Ami One is not a car. There are people for who mobility is not an object”.

The options can be customised to each person’s mobility requirements and meet their needs whether it is for five minutes, five hours or five days of use – as well as over longer periods with rental offers for five months or long-term leasing arrangements for five years.

Once the urban mobility object is in the driver’s possession, the mobile app delivers a special dialogue with Ami One Concept. Drivers can freely, and at any time, manage the settings of the on-board apps and extend their customer experience via the smartphone.

Citroen Ami front lights

They can access information remotely (electricity consumption, battery charge etc.) as well as a range of services via Free2Move that make city driving easier (parking space search, geolocation etc).

There’s no word on whether we’ll actually see the Ami One make it into production, but if you fancy seeing it up close and personal, it’ll be on Citroen’s stand at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

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