Citroen’s concept car for the 2019 Geneva Motor Show
is called the Ami One and represents the brand’s vision of future urban
mobility. The show car is 2.5 meters long, 1.5 meters wide and
1.5 meters tall, and weighs a featherweight 425 kg. It is
all-electric and has a 45 km/h top speed, so it can be driven without
a license in some countries.
The lithium-ion battery is stored flat under the
floor and takes 2 hours to charge at a public station or a Wallbox, providing a
(rather limited) range of 100 km. It can also be plugged into standard
home sockets using an extension cable.
All electric vehicles made after January 1, 2019,
must emit an artificial sound at low speeds to warn pedestrians of their
approach. Citroen has equipped the Ami One with its own sound signature, which
mixes male and female voices forming a sequence of notes that change according
to speed.
Designed to be shared for short and medium periods
of time, or to be privately owned with the battery maintenance and parking
included in the monthly payment, the Ami One has a lively exterior design and
several symmetrical body parts. For example, the door on the driver’s side is
rear-hinged, whereas the one on the passenger’s side is front-hinged, and the
two bumpers are identical, although partly concealed at the front and opened at
the rear to display the license plate.
Inside, the concept has space for two occupants, but
before accessing the cabin, the driver will need to unlock the doors via a QR
code. Then, they’ll have to place their smartphone in a dedicated area in front
of them and the interaction with the car can begin. The head-up display-like
system mirrors a smartphone screen and users will find features such as voice
command, an instrument cluster with a 5-inch screen and an intuitive design and
a Bluetooth speaker with volume control in the cockpit.
Furthermore, users can access the battery charge,
electricity consumption and other information remotely, by using their
smartphones.
