2023 Citroën Ami review: Talk of the town

Just remember,” warned the PR man, “it’s not a car.” And he’s right. The new Citroën Ami may have four wheels and a steering wheel but in feel it’s closer to the Heathrow Pod.

Were it a car, it would be Britain’s cheapest by a mile. But it’s not. It’s a quadricycle mandated by law not to have more than 8bhp, weigh more than 420kg (not including the battery) or do more than 28mph. It’s also why it looks that way: it is required to pass none of the stringent crash tests any car would have to undergo, nor does it need (or have) airbags, ABS or traction control. It’s illegal to drive without seatbelts, but it won’t ‘bong’ to remind you. And with the right licence, you can take to the roads aged 16.

I was quite excited because, as anyone who has looked in my shed will know, I love small, simple ‘cars’ that know what they’re for, in this case exclusively urban running. I love that its lights are always on dip so require no controls, that is has just one wiper and that its doors are hinged at opposite ends so the same door can be used both sides, because all such ideas make the car cheaper to buy.

I like less its glacial acceleration, the fact its top speed plummets when the smallest gradient is encountered, its rock-hard seats, harsh ride, and lack of a boot. Yes, it has an amazing lock and can park nose-in but this is far from the answer to 21st century intra-urban transport. The idea is interesting, but the reality too flawed for it ever to be more than a niche product. AF

Citroën Ami.

• Price £7695
• Engine Front electric motor, 5.5kWh battery
• Power 8bhp
• Torque N/a
• Weight 485kg
• Power to weight 16bhp per tonne
• Transmission Single-speed, front-wheel drive
• 0-60mph Not a prayer
• Top speed 28mph
• Range 43 miles (WLTP)
• CO2  0g/km
• Verdict  Street runaround lacks legs.