The world's slowest twin-test: is the electric Citroën Ami the new 2CV?

[@edwardlong9470]

First off, I am a 76 year old male. I have a camper van, have been using a bicycle that I electrified for for getting off site locally, it does means using a trailer, which I am waiting for, as you cannot tow an Ami, but it gives the ability to get about without having to pack-up every time you want to travel locally. It does have a drawback with the top speed and range limitations. Today I had to travel 25 miles to the Citroen dealer in Norwich, from the North Norfolk coast, the local road, no problem but on the A149 a number of drivers showed their true colours. I kept well over to the left which is easy in the Ami and in the main there was plenty of room to overtake, most people were fine but every so often a driver, usually a person of advanced years positioned themselves for mile after mile leaving no space for faster vehicles (many were white vans) who when they did pass gave ME the finger or an aggressive blast on their horn. The dealers were great, fully charged it while it was with them and a pleasant trip home despite the aforementioned ignorance and the lack of driving ability in keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front, rant over. My driving history has included many Citroens from Traction Avant, 2CV, Dyane, BX, ZX, Pluriel, C5, Berlingo, XM and now an Ami e, almost full circle, certainly as far as fun goes. I use it for town and local short trips it's just great and a lot cheaper than my spider.

[@crashbox7130]

I own a late model 2CV from 1988 with the M28 (602cc) flat-twin engine producing 33bhp, and a 1932 Morris Minor two-seater with an inline-four, side-valve engine of 847cc producing 19bhp. The 2CV is flat out at 70+mph, so is happy hoofing it down the motorway. The vintage Minor is flat out at 52mph but it's happy around 40-45mph. The 2CV feels like a sports car in comparison with the Morris. It definitely helps that the Citroen has a 4-speed gearbox with synchromesh, whereas the little Morris has a 3-speed 'crash' gearbox so needs double-declutching to change gear. The lack of a 4th cog makes hill climbing a challenge on steeper inclines. I've been down into 1st gear on Sun Rising Hill over the Cotswolds, and 2nd gear on the A44 going up Fish Hill at Broadway. The 2CV's brakes, inboard discs up front, are bloody brilliant when compared with the 91-year-old Minor's cable-operated drums. I absolutely love driving both cars.

[@TheIntercooler]

Superb. I can tell you love it from your username!

[@leneanderthalien]

the max power from the 602cc from the 2cv is 29HP (DIN) not 33...

[@stephenberry1205]

My 1990 2CV6 Charleston is now a speed demon. The original 29 hp 602 cc with a top speed on the flat of 115 kph and 80 up long hills, now has been transplanted with a Burton Big Bore 652 cc and a Power Tube to give me 35 hp, 125 kph on the flat... In NSW Australia the max limit on motorways is 110 kph. No longer can I say to the policemen.... "Can I have a credit for all the uphills when I cannot reach the speed limit." 45 years of 2CV6 addiction - more smiles per mile. The Ami EV is cute, but the 2CV is pure fun with practicality...

[@OllieHeathcote]

They seem so similar in theory, bringing mobility to the people. But also are designed for completely different areas. The 2CV for rural areas and the Ami for urban.

[@misme2000]

I think that Ami is brilliant in bringing mobility to more people than are younger and elderly and especially in the more “rural”/small towns villages so they can be more independent…

[@parkview113]

@@misme2000 agree. 69 yr old Ami owner in small town on S Coast

[@imo...]

the ami goal is to be a car for the 14yo french teens, it's a car that u can affort for 20€/month with an initial 3000€ and thats all. i think that when u think that way it make more sense, the design is also well made for the narrow french streets and make the ami an easy car to park

[@parkview113]

agree. an Ami owner

[@ferrarif1360]

Gentlemen, you did an excellent job with this video. I would love to see more just like this. The quality was wonderful.

[@leneanderthalien]

The first 2cv (1948) had 9HP (SAE) and a top speed of 60km/h, the last 29HP(DIN) and 115km/h top speed (end production 1990), but the prototype TPV, called 2cv for the "salon de l'automobile de Paris" who never happens because the war (250 pre serie built and scraped without sale), had only 8HP(SAE) a water cooled flat twin and a aluminium body

[@lukewaring2832]

I was starting ro get worried kot seen you on you tube for a while.. Will be back k on app next month a nice birthday present from Mrs.. Keep up the amazing work..😎

[@hooperdotdave]

so if there was an Ami with double the power and a 50ish mph top speed would that solve the problems? What new disadvantages would it bring (weight, cost, additional regulations, still no back seats etc)

[@TheIntercooler]

In theory, but then it couldn't be classified as a quadricycle meaning it would be more expensive, heavier, have to carry more safety kit and so on. Frankly I wouldn't fancy crashing an Ami that could do 50mph!

[@hooperdotdave]

@@TheIntercooler Yes quite! I guess what I'm asking is whether it's possible to build a practical electric city car that is better than an Ami but not as expensive as the £30k base spec electric Corsa. So 50 mph is fine, plastic asymmetric doors is fine, 50 mile range is fine, would, I don't know, a £12k sale price then be possible? would anyone buy it at £12k? But if the extra power, safety gear and regulatory compliance etc adds £20k then clearly we're back in Corsa range and the end of the world is truly nigh. I applaud them for trying but it seems like it hasn't worked :( Excellent test - enjoyed the video!

[@chrisbailey1966]

@@TheIntercooler Not quite - the limits are to do this the European Voiture Sans Permis and light quadricycle laws in UK - in the conclusions Twizy is mentioned that came in two specification the faster (50mph) was to heavy quadricycle laws in UK. Other offerings with quicker speeds are Carver and eventually the Microlino all at a more expensive price .

[@barrybethel1062]

the ami is actually built with a top speed of 50mph but the manafacturers limit it in the factory

[@parkview113]

love my Ami. just change your expecations

[@DWI_Community]

Love the podcast. Nice to see video content too!

[@cornishrider]

I've driven both, the Ami is perfect for in my opinion for towns and villages (nipping to the shop) my favourite is the 2CV an absolute hoot to drive!

[@jjbiggmann5576]

WELL THESE TWO GUYS....SEEM TO DISAGREE WITH YOU...EVEN THOUGH THE BUYING PUBLIC....ARE QUEING UP...AND PREPARED TO WAIT...FOR DELIVERY.

[@stephenberry8658]

The 2CV grew up to 29 HP and 72 mph. The Ami and 2CV had a prototype Love Child called the Oli... Somewhere in between will be the child of Oli.....

[@bluebear6570]

The Ami has been designed for urban driving for teenagers, but the majority of people buying it are urban professionals and older folks.

[@ZeeBri]

Brockweir has never looked better!

[@thehumanoid6543]

7:43 the only time in the world the phrase "way faster than an AMI" has been used

[@benholroyd5221]

You mean the only time that a 2cv has been described as "way faster" than anything. Most things are way faster than an Ami.

[@NielsRoskam]

I drove two 2CV6 Specials in the early 6 years of my driving license (late 80s, early 90s). They were great. Drove them from the Netherlands to the south of France, etc. very capable at the time, it never let us down. The first one, a white one, peaked at 120kmph with just the driver in it downhill, with maybe a max of 80-90kmph when on a flat with 4 people. the 2nd newer one in red, was more constant in its max speed of about 115kmph. enough for the small country roads in the Dutch backcountry. I learned to over-take in it on 80kmph roads, and believe it made me a better driver. Luckily enough I never got in an accident as I can only imagine the consequences...

[@petercrawford5085]

Sorry, but *someone* needs to post the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4GXlpmOq5mMmJI As a lifelong Citroen fan, the Ami comes across as another disappointing miss. Maybe Paris will be full of them by the end of the year. Might make the Périphérique less dangerous...

[@TheIntercooler]

That video is YT gold!

[@Luis-cr1tw]

Actually ami is not allowed outside city...Just City. So...kind of pointless, yet, you don't hold traffic because you cant leave city, unless there is a hill in city

[@TheSiggib]

Have to get your self a relaxing pills!!! .-)

[@ajones8699]

From what I see the ami is a piece of junk.

[@melaniezette886]

Far from 2cv