Imagine yourself navigating the crowded streets of
Paris in the near future behind the wheel of something very similar to this Ami
One concept by Citroen. It’s part of the French automaker’s vision for the future of urban mobility
and while it doesn’t look particularly elegant, it’s definitely quirky, which
suits the double chevron brand just fine. It’s also environmentally-friendly,
which suits just about everyone else.
Pretty much. But that’s only because Smart did it
first, and it’s hard not to mention them whenever we come across any similar or
even remotely similar product. The Ami One measures 2.5 meters in
length, 1.5 meters in width, and stands 1.5 meters tall. It also weighs just 425 kg.
However, it has just about identical dimensions to the
first-generation ForTwo, which came out more than two decades ago. For starters, it’s fully
electric. Its lithium-ion battery can be charged to 100% in just 2 hours, which
will then result in a range of 100 km. Also, since its top speed is
just 45 km/h, it means that it can be driven without a license in
certain countries.
Since all EVs built this year must emit an
artificial sound at low speeds so as to alert pedestrians to their location,
Citroen has fitted the Ami One concept with its personalized sound signature,
mixing both male and female voices to form a sequence of notes that change based
on speed.
Notice that the driver’s side
door is rear-hinged, while the passenger door is front hinged. Then you have
the front and rear bumpers, which are identical, and a QR code system for
unlocking the doors.
Once inside, you can use the head-up projection
panel to interact with the vehicle or your smartphone, although features such
as voice command are also available. According to Citroen, the Ami One
was envisioned as an alternative to public transportation (buses, trains etc),
but also other means of getting around, like bicycles or electric scooters.
