The Infamous Citroen Ami Monaco Crash Explained

Despite the Citroen Ami Having just 8 horsepower and a 0-60 of never,
it's got itself into a fair few scrapes over it's short time on public roads.
Since it's release in 2020, Ami's have been caught
twerking on teslas, drifting in car parks and getting up to
all kinds of other juvenile activities.
There's something really endearing about the Ami.
Me and Mon Ami:
• MONACO CITROEN AMI Cra...
It doesn't take itself too seriously, and sort of exudes
this goofy, loveable personality just like the mk1 mx5 and volkswagen lupo have.
Now the Ami is one of few cars which still manages to look quite comical even in a crash.
Today, we're going to talk about the infamous citroen ami flip in monaco.
It's pretty remarkable, if you haven't seen it yet take a look.
Interestingly, despite the Ami being limited to just 28 miles per hour,
and having most of its weight at the bottom giving it a low centre of gravity,
this absolute mad lad managed to roll the thing over, smacking it into a bollard.
Don't worry, no one was injured too seriously by the way, but for one of the occupants it was a very close call.
Doctors told the passenger if the impact had been slightly different he could have been paralysed.
I don't really know if this counts as a car crash really, given that it's
technically a quadracycle, which might give my European viewers a hint as to who was at the wheel of the Ami.
So, what exactly led up to the crash, and what happened afterwards?
The story is actually surprisingly strange and a little funny despite it no doubt being
a little scary for the two occupants.
The passenger was a young car spotter by the name of Raphael Sky, who had already amassed a decent following on tiktok before the crash.
Luckily, he gave an interview to the guys over on the Me and Mon Ami channel,
which is largely how we can piece together the context of the crash.
Go and follow both them and Raphael by the way, I'll leave links in the description.
If it wasn't for them coming together, we wouldn't know nearly as much as we do now about exactly what happened.
Raphael was car spotting that day, when he met another spotter who he hadn't met before.
He said when he saw the Ami driving around in Monaco, it was the first he had ever seen.
The other man took note of Raphael's interest in the car and asked if he wanted a ride around in it.
Of course, Raphael excitedly agreed.
They did a couple of rounds arund the famous Monaco hairpun bend, bombing up and down the hill
at never before seen speeds.
The third lap was the one where the car rolled.
Presumably, the driver wanted to show off a bit as many blokes tend to do when they've got a passenger they wanted
to impress.
Well, I say bloke. In reality, the unnamed driver was actually a 16 year old. Since the Ami is a quadricycle and not a car, it can be driven without a full drivers
licence which is what makes them a popular vehicle among teenagers.
As anyone with a younger brother knows though, 16 year old lads are morons and the guy clearly didn't understand how physics works just yet.
The car began tipping, and before long it was on its side, and we all know what happened after that.
But what happened after that?
Firstly, the injuries.
Raphael was on the side which hit the ground, so he took the brunt of the crash.
He banged his head and needed a few stitches, and hurt his hand. He also had some neck pain for a while afterwards.
Luckily, he was wearing his seatbelt because he didn't entirely feel safe putting his life in the hands
of a kid.
In Monaco, it's not actually a legal requirement to wear a seatbelt, but Raphael said this acted as a pretty strong reminder
to belt up for your own safety every time you get in a car.
Now, onto the teenager.
He luckily escaped completely unharmed.
Shortly after news of the crash got around, the fire brigade and police arrived.
The 16 year old reportedly received a massive bollocking from his parents, unsurprisingly.
He also got a bollocking from the police.
Given the video was filmed so well and the Ami shouldn't really be able to roll this easily, many people initially
thought they had deliberately flipped the car as a meme, but Raphael categorically confirmed that this was in fact not the case.
This particular spot in Monaco is where dozens of car spotters film during the day, so it was inevitable that at least
one person would have filmed it.
It's thought that the Ami was an insurance write off, since just about every panel on the thing was smashed up.
Generally in France cars like this don't tend to get repaired since it makes no financial sense to do so.
And there you have it, that's the story behind the infamous monaco ami crash.
I should have known it was a kid driving.
My initial assumption was that it was a well off Monaco local who thought it would be funny to try and roll one.

[@OLDSACKS]

Citroën in the 1950s: Here is the 2CV, it is virtually unrollable. Should it actually happen, we give it to you for free. Citroën in the 2020s: Here is the Ami. Reaching the urban speed limit can result in death, or worse, a voided warranty.

[@ddp3000]

Even today it's hard to find a car with mechanical suspension that can match the 2CV

[@vanlampham2557]

Say why isn’t that suspension system used today?

[@faceless_3918]

Fun fact: 2CV can be rolled, but only by going too fast in reverse and turning hard. In a real world scenario it won't happen.

[@Loza_1703]

@@vanlampham2557no idea, probably because of the cost

[@therrealsteeevo]

​@@vanlampham2557The 2CV Suspension is genius but actually not really the reason the 2CV can't roll over. The center of gravity of the 2CV is very low and the front tyres are very thin and therefore don't have much grip.. Which leads to understeering instead of flipping.

[@michaeln2768]

Maybe the funniest crash ever recorded

[@LilTachanka]

​@eldenringer4630that was slightly overdone for funny

[@MannyAntipov]

@@LilTachanka did you say slightly? i think you mean completely

[@LilTachanka]

@@MannyAntipov slightly was also said as to be read with an infliction, so u know that it just isn't slightly

[@randomthingsstuff6591]

How is it funny😐

[@mrjed6912]

​@eldenringer4630 He admitted in 2016 that the car faced heavy modifications for the episode. In fact, I bet a stock Reliant could clear that corner

[@TheEulerID]

Put two males into into a vehicle weighing just 485 kg, and that centre of gravity is going to be raised rather a lot, especially when one of them is rather on the large size. Put him on the right hand side of a very tight left hand bend, and tipping over becomes a distinct possibility, not matter how little power the vehicle has (particularly with gravity on its side).

[@markoz673bajen8]

Germans watching US Nascar: Ham Burger 3x

[@Ben-ig3bf]

put two males into a vehicle and watch it get flipped. no point of all the other stuff xD

[@sarielle85]

The Ami has a payload of only 140 kg. That was clearly exceeded. Those two guys both weren't small, the kid is a bit on the fat side, the other guy seems quite buff - so together they should weigh at least 180 kg...

[@jojomarujo8704]

So if they lean into the curve a'la 1930s race car drivers it shouldn't tip over? Asking this for a friend.

[@OscarScheepstra_Artemis_]

Even if the car was going down with no power at all, just coasting down the hill it could have flipped

[@nighttimer5487]

This crash is so funny because there's so many POV of the crash online, there's even inside the Ami

[@G-performance1967]

hats off to Citroen for making this thing crazy strong enough to be moronproof ! (the steel pole should have crushed the roof structure ! impressive. kids are safe in this)

[@max-zv7sf]

Honestly, yes. When i was 16 i got into worse trouble with my 2stroke 50cc vespa trying to ride it like a supermoto. I too was a blithering idiot and received a thorough bollocking.😂

[@25myma]

They're not safe; this joke has a clear tendency to roll over on ALL reviews Ive seen and that final crash on the pole was like 10-15mph and it almost ended badly for one of them..Now imagine a 2 tonne EV bumping into this thing at, say 50 mph,..no airbags,..a plastic box with two meat sacks, rolling not once but 5-6 times

[@G1NZOU]

@@25myma To be fair the Ami is not going to be on 50mph roads very often, the whole point of it is as a compact and practical city car. Not a car for areas where you're likely to have someone going 50 smash into you.

[@25myma]

@@G1NZOU The point is, even 20-30mph can be a death sentence on this car, because this case was lucky; imagine pulling the wheel slightly tighter and rolling on the tram rails. Rolling over at those speeds should be impossible in any circumstance and no excuse should count to keep selling this badly made toy, at least till they recall them and issue a fix or something.

[@KenanTurkiye]

3:07

[@Baguenaudeur]

Its funny how huge that turn actually is because when you watch the Grand Prix F1 cars make it look like its incredibly tight!

[@MainInternetUser]

Man F1 cars have become comically big

[@LateNightCable]

I don’t know why anybody bothers watching formula one anymore, same shit different day.

[@kaedeschulz5422]

yea because they are overSIX METERS long and 2meters wide.

[@G0RSHK0V]

​@@kaedeschulz5422Man, they are bigger than my room!

[@kaedeschulz5422]

@@G0RSHK0V Same!🤣🤣🤣

[@Zurnany]

As soon as I herd twerking on teslas I was sold

[@blagssss]

Lmao, there's a guy who made a Citroen Ami twerk tutorial, that's worth a watch too

[@Zurnany]

Ik I seen it lmao

[@ChristopherWoods]

I lost it at that clip 😂😂😂😂

[@legoferrari14]

I mean, if you're gonna crash somewhere, you might as well do it at the most iconic corner of all motorsport; the Monaco Grand Hotel Hairpin!

[@LateNightCable]

“Most iconic corner of all motorsport” is a rather debatable topic in a sporting genre full of corners.

[@drunkenhobo5039]

@@LateNightCable Nah it's pretty accurate. Show the average non-motorsport fan a photo of Eau Rouge, the Corkscrew or Karussell then they're unlikely to know where it is. Show them the Loews Hairpin and they'll know it's Monaco.

[@yowtfputthemaskbackon9202]

​@@drunkenhobo5039 out of all those i only know where the karussell is, or what it even is

[@butwhytharum]

that crash is comical but the one angle shows literally how close the passenger came to being killed/paralized when it hit that pole

[@marco_grt4460]

The Ami is one of type of vehicles that can roll easily due to wheelbase and height like Smart Fortwo and Fiat 500

[@rexeisen8290]

Yes but like all electric vehicles of today and RC cars likewise, batteries and motors are all located in the lower half of the car. That's the difference compared to the Fortwo and 500.

[@damanchur604]

@@rexeisen8290 still the fortwo had the engine basically under the floor

[@CANERm3]

​@@damanchur604thats right but it also has Esp and Asr stabily controll Systems, but ami has neither.

[@byteme9718]

Height? Have you not seen what's in the upper structure of these death traps?

[@henkkaj73]

No it was in the back, that's why the luggage compartment is so tiny. @@damanchur604

[@SSmith-fm9kg]

If you're killed in a wreck while driving one, they can just bury you in it instead of a coffin.

[@MartinNyxel]

Widebody kit will definitely fix this. 👌🏻👍🏻😆

[@blagssss]

That would be so cool

[@MIGBMWLOVER]

I am an F1 enthusiast and car spotter but I am not stupid , that hairpin gives professional drivers a hard time let alone a 16year old with no license.

[@captainevenslower4400]

Back in 2017 i was on a roadtrip along the cote d azure (terrible idea btw, way too crowded) and of course Monaco was on the list. Despite the awful traffic, it was a bucket list item of mine to drive parts of the circuit, especially anticipating this very turn. So how did it TURN out? I took it so swiftly going downhill that the fridge of my VW camper flew open and spilled all it contents all over the floor. So yeah, tricky corner indeed.

[@ElderlyAnteater]

This is so well put together and has no clickbait or nonsense whatsoever. Thank you for the great video my friend

[@loich7713]

I was not expecting this crash spotlight, but hell yeah!

[@Giitzerland]

That reminded me of when Jeremy Clarkson rolled the Reliant Robin :D

[@DanakarEndeel]

If you buy a shopping cart for a car, don't expect you're suddenly a pro driver. "16 year old lads are morons" = FACTS!

[@Solotocius]

I still think it's unfair to generalise people over their age like this.

[@DanakarEndeel]

@@Solotocius Perhaps, but the generalization does fit as 99% of 16 year olds are indeed morons. The may only be very vew exceptions so the generalization stands. 😅

[@arnaudpelham6906]

@@DanakarEndeel you can drive an 'amy' at 14yo

[@Solotocius]

@@arnaudpelham6906 🤨

[@Solotocius]

@@DanakarEndeel you're kind of proving my point, to be clear.

[@superaviation001]

Clicked on this instantly when I saw this was your video, keep up the good work and the good videos! Really love these

[@BigTingOreoBiscuit]

I’m convinced this channel is gonna blow up soon the consistency of these videos is like one of a channel with a 20x the subs! Keep it up man

[@blagssss]

Hope so! Thank you

[@Cocobabb]

We might be the OG fans

[@michaeltba9062]

The 16yo driver has no doubt been through this corner a gazillion times at possibly even greater speed, but he didn't have the experience to recognise how the weight of the passenger would affect his stability.

[@habsom1406]

Nice clear video and explanation and without any jarring heavy metal music. Thanks for uploading.

[@deemdoubleu]

I was in a double flip accident in a fibreglass Reliant Supervan back in the early 1970's. Holes gouged in both sides but they flipped it back on its wheels and we drove it 200 miles home.

[@peterbunting8485]

Do you have any video's of the crash. 😂

[@deemdoubleu]

@@peterbunting8485 ;-)

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

Some years ago, Mercedes had a rather tall model car, which failed to do the Swedish "Elk-Test" (Simulating a drastic change of lanes to avoid one of those huge animals on a road) and totally ruined its reputation! It also turned over like this, but on a Test Track.

[@the_pigs_have_rebelled]

It was the first version of the A-Class, in the late 90s.

[@VampyrMygg]

The Toyota Hilux fails that test almost regularly by now.

[@BojanBojovic]

A class was really succesful, not sure how it ruined its image. Mercedes still sells a lot, no matter all the fakery around their cars.

[@stanislavczebinski994]

@@BojanBojovic Here in Germany, it had initially the reputation to roll easy. There is footage of it ALMOST rolling during that test. After Mercedes installed ESP it was fine - and they sold a lot of them. Today's A-class hasn't a high center of gravity any more.

[@larsnorlin4060]

The story goes something like this about the A-class. A Swedish car magazine regularly made the elk test on new cars. The A class was up for testing and just as the car was to flip over the test driver bailed out to save the car. They contacted Mercedes ant pointed out that he car was dangerous before printing the story. Merc din not believe this and ignored it. The paper then did it again, the driver flipped the car - documented it and printed it. Merc then had to go back to the drawing board and fit all A class cars with ESP and other tires, and changed the suspension….at the end they refitted all already sold cars (2600).

[@DavidCurryFilms]

Best thing about Citroen Ami is that both doors are identical, saving tooling and moulding. One opens forward, the other is a suicide door. Even the front and back are identical just different lights installed.

[@fugu4163]

Back in the 1970s there was an Citroen Ami but that car was based on the same chassi as the 2CV. My father did own two Citroen Ami stationwagon.

[@tymner]

We rlly need lore on a Citroen 💀

[@blagssss]

It's one of the cars of all time

[@djedUVprojector]

This is the same situation with the 1st Smart car, poor roof strength with solid pillars lead to fatal head injuries and spate of fatalities

[@noname-wo9yy]

Totally unforgivable really.

[@crazykittenvideos855]

He didn’t have the room to turn out of it as would have been straight into the bollards anyway. Credit it where it’s due he turned in faster than I’ve seen many an F1 driver do it! Like many young drivers have learned the hard way, when physics takes over you’re all passengers! Glad no serious injuries

[@markthomasson5077]

I thought the opposite, he did have room to turn out a wee bit, which might have kept him on two wheels. Not the best place to practice theses skills!

[@crazykittenvideos855]

@@markthomasson5077 Monaco GP in Citroen Ami’s would be more exciting I think. Put all the F1 drivers in them for a 15 lap race. Would wager Alonso would get on the podium 😁

[@Exlipse703]

Mine will arrive in February. Where I live the turns are very similar to that Monaco turn. I’ll try not to recreate the crash :)

[@user-kc1tf7zm3b]

Drive a Volkswagen Golf. You will live much longer. 🇩🇪🇪🇺

[@-Torii-]

u need more subs this is a really good video

[@aalyan_81]

this channel is gonna be famous quite soon its a awesome channel

[@blagssss]

Thank you so much! Hopefully eh :)

[@SW-qr8qe]

Did he grab a load of panic braking after starting the turn? The roll starts at the back of the car and it’s steeply down hill. So lots of weight transfer forwards and perhaps soft rear versus stiff front. It would be interesting to hear more engineering details about this car

[@DeRico1337]

I need one of these imported now. Thank you for the laugh.

[@ziggarillo]

Just buy one in the UK, they've been available for quite a while here.

[@jacekatalakis8316]

I lost it at massive bollocking. I'm picturing some pissed off gemdarme delivering said lecture and the car just sat there in the background taking the seriousness of it down a few notches

[@fresiaracing]

I have an aixam quadricycle, it is one of the unsapest vehicles i have ever driven, i risked to flip over many times 😂

[@The_One_Over_There]

I have one too, A 2013 Aixam GTO. All though i actually have it for my mother to use until she can't anymore, i sometimes drive it as well. it hasn't really giving me the idea of flipping at all though, And i do drive it quicker than my mom does. So she'll be just fine XD It does however feel pretty unstable on the less smooth backroads, But than again, it's only me who uses it there from time to time.

[@maxfi878]

This is arguably the most recognized corner in F1 yet this is the most legendary event there.

[@swecreations]

The Ami is too much fun to drive! Like my Renault Zoe, it's a hoot!

[@sloppycakejunior]

Here before this channel blows up.😮🎉

[@blagssss]

hehehe hopefully eh

[@sloppycakejunior]

@@blagssss nahh bro u got this am with u on the way.😏😊btw u got a new sub.

[@tezcanaslan2877]

Watching the Ami crash was like seeing a car crash in a early 2000s game except with somehow less substance

[@carjack5356]

I love these crash explanations

[@blagssss]

Thank you :)

[@a_cuppa_coffee]

the only car that can trip

[@merrilly-]

I don't even think a modern formula 1 car can round that corner much faster, let alone a high center of gravity power wheels like that

[@andrewdunbar828]

Every time something falls over or tips over it is apparently flipping and rolling.

[@abdelali9279]

This is on the same level as the Reliant Robin.

[@yeahnoway111]

Monaco should install a speed bump there

[@memorimusic420]

The fact that there needs to be an explanation video on why it flipped is sad honestly 😂

[@nihongobenkyoshimasu3190]

When the Aptera (3 wheels) will be available, this will be a good spot to test for roller over.

[@Maximumautomobile]

I can tell that this channel is going to blow up!!

[@blagssss]

Thank you!

[@budgetarms]

This video will go viral in like a decade or so

[@utvpoop]

Doing it at a part of F1 track makes it more hilarious

[@SKYZO4]

i can't help but to adore that lil toaster

[@blagssss]

They are cute - tempted to get one for the meme

[@justarandomperson3367]

Your videos are very underrated :)

[@blagssss]

Glad you think so!

[@1975beetle]

i was in monaco and i saw the same AMI that flipped since it had marks on its side

[@Pshady]

My son who’s French will be driving one of these as soon as he turns 14 for them school run. You can rent them from Citroen for 2 years cheaply. I will have to install dash cams with gps sensors to avoid stupid driving

[@mrfalcon7871]

I love how Citroën was like “lets have kids drive in traffic that sure sounds like a good idea”

[@woongah]

To be honest, in Europe most of these "micro-cars" are owned by Grampas who cannot drive regular cars anymore. 14 years old usually go with 50cc bikes that cost a third of a micro car.

[@simonrano8072]

the actual Tavarez pitch he gave us was actually "lets have rich kids drive in traffic that sure looks more secure than a motorbike"

[@jimbo4375]

Classic "watch this" moment

[@natzcam2219]

The thing has a rear trail arm. I think they should add an antiroll bar as standard

[@JPkerVideo]

That dude was stupid, but at the same time, mad respect for actually flipping an AMI...

[@x66Hawk66x]

I saw one of these on a 70mph dual carriageway a few weeks ago at night.... No idea what the driver was thinking I quickly came up behind him, moved to the right lane and passed him like he was going in reverse. A driver not paying attention could easily smash into the back of him.

[@matthewgodwin3050]

I don't recall this type of thing ever happening in a G-Wiz. Maybe Citroen ought to fit ESP and ABS as standard. Mercedes A-Class Elk Test springs to mind too.

[@wiciuwiciu2783]

Ah yessss... The phisics... Might be suprising for not initiated

[@watahyahknow]

looking at the video from the crash it looks like the steep slope and not using the brakes and steering in pretty drastic gave the little car just enough extra speed to flip over

[@rougeneon1997]

Im mildy embarrassed to say I've never even heard of this car.

[@apachelol]

*Jeremy Clarkson and his Reliant Robin, wants to know the Ami's location*

[@therealpepsicat]

saw this car for the first time at a citroen dealership. shit was so funny my laughing was echoing across the entire dealership

[@weenisbuttacis7627]

the citreon ami in monaco event

[@satsumagt5284]

I don't think anyone can not laugh at this crash

[@davidsotomayor8713]

That's that Mr. Sneezy car

[@SilverSpoon_]

See, it's a bit our Reliant Robin.

[@williamrae9954]

Ami twerking cracks me up 😂

[@arandor3908]

you should make a video on the Flugplatz section of nurburgring

[@blagssss]

Good idea

[@grahamherbert3612]

I thought it was that old 'Iron' driving.

[@marcolforoso4001]

Not a word on the fact they where on downhill?!

[@MarkusAixamCross74]

To fast speed ,Citroën Ami is tired Ami wants to sleep

[@MaximGhost]

Before even watching this, I aready suspected that a kid & TikTok had something to do with this.

[@danc2014]

There are many mopeds and e bikes sold with a limited speed but do not stay limited. US has a 24 mph limit preventing them on to any normal road way. Many have been altered to 35 to 40 If a pedestrian was photographing along that pole he would not be in good shape.

[@Larry]

I can't see why the panels coudn't be replaced, They're literally made as cheaply as possible in order to be replaced, Citreon are even going to sell them in different colours soon.

[@blagssss]

Larry!!! Yeah, I'm very tempted to get one for a year and try it out, they look like a good laugh

[@Larry]

@@blagssss I did actually pre-order one, but cancelled at the last moment because of the top speed being only 28mph and worried about some moron going up my arse while driving. Bought a second hand electric smart car instead in the end. I got a Renault Twizy as well, they're just as much fun and can go 50mph.

[@gr3i_]

The Ami should become a meme

[@smtkelly]

Did the tyre tuck and the rim dig in? Nice to see how well the roof stood up to that bollard.

[@NBSV1]

On the second pass it tipped on 2 wheels so was on the edge of rolling. They were likely getting more bold and maybe the tires warming up and getting more grip. So, the 3rd pass was enough to tip it all the way over.

[@karlhendrikse]

Lucky it didn't roll onto the bollards. Those would slide into the window real nice

[@blackicegamersclub]

I'm glad nothing too bad happend to the bystanders and the people in the car, I feel sorry tho for the passanger who wasnt driving.😢

[@dienik512]

1:09 _"but for one of the occupants"_ *THAT THING HAS TWO SEATS?*

[@FurryWrecker911]

Yeah. It's no bigger than an American side-by-side and they're two-seaters.

[@gordonremsey8055]

The poor Ami😂😂

[@veg4life.]

Richard Hammond was behind the 9 million hp buggati 😅😅

[@alkyycarovny8334]

yo can you share the Ami parking gif with the "i cant" caption?

[@fraggit]

Meh, we used to do this with a mates Bedford rascal panel van in the 80s with 6 in the back, the un-injured passengers were handy to be able to right it again. We nearly had it doing summersaults, if you jammed the breaks on hard enough, not with anybody in the back though, lol.

[@robertsteel3563]

0:14 I wasn't expecting an Outdoor Adult Club!

[@stanb1455]

the description is just the script lmao

[@hotwheelshuntinguk]

Definitely one of the most funny crashes to ever happen on camera

[@raypurchase801]

Clarkson crashed better.

[@clarksonoceallachain8536]

Could a replica deep sanderson 301 be licensed as a quadricycle?

[@give_me_my_nick_back]

it's more of a golf cart dressed as a car than a car xD

[@Spurdospaerde692]

"fIlMeD sO wELl" * shows vertical video *

[@ploppyjr2373]

Yea and?

[@R2-D2663]

This thing looks like a hotwheel

[@DarkIzo]

lesson learned, dont put grippy tires on things like that

[@nullc0ntext]

>Twerking Ami My life is complete.

[@1HeatWalk]

it looks like a remote toy car.

[@bastogne315]

Bollard installers deserve a mention.

[@chikokishi7030]

I see kei cars on their roof all the time in Japan. its quite embarrassing really.

[@mosl9124]

We need a Citroen ami racing league

[@16andbraindead]

nefarious ami shenanigans