Skip advert
Advertisement

“The time is right for cars like Citroen Ami in the UK”

Editor-in-chief Steve Fowler thinks the time is right for cars such as the Citroen Ami and other urban runabouts to come to the UK

This week, Citroen’s ground-breaking Ami (above) went on sale in France. Sadly it’s not coming to the UK – yet. Let’s just remind you what the Ami is: it’s a small two-seat urban runabout that’s shorter and narrower than a Smart ForTwo, uses battery power for a range of 44 miles, and lets your smartphone do the job of an instrument binnacle. In short, it’s very clever – and very Citroen.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Then there’s the cost. It’s gone on sale with a price from 6,000 Euros (£5,252) – or it can be leased for 2,641 Euros down (£2,311) and 19.99 Euros (£17.50) per month!

In a world where public transport is increasingly looking like an unattractive proposition, an affordable personal transportation solution such as the Ami really does seem like the right car at the right time.

On the day the Ami formally went on sale, I just happened to have some time with new Citroen boss Vincent Cobée. While he couldn’t confirm that the Ami would come to the UK, he did promise that he would “never say never”. He also confirmed that – even at those incredible prices – Citroen will make money from it.

“Ami’s trying to come and say, ‘You know what? We can go back to individual private mobility, which is clean, which is compact, and which is extremely affordable’,” Cobée told me. “Now, you add the current crisis, which will maintain a high level of anxiety, particularly around health and social distancing, and then Ami becomes even more relevant.”

Cobée took over in January, and he intends to develop on the comfort niche that Citroen has carved out for itself and one I find particularly refreshing. “Seat comfort, suspension comfort, noise avoidance – we’re touching a territory which is human not driver-centric, with which we have 50-60 years of credentials, maybe more,” he said.

Citroen has always been one of the most innovative brands, and that looks set to continue. Let’s hope it finds a way to bring the clever little Ami to the UK soon.

Do you agree with Steve? Would you like to see the Citroen Ami come to the UK? Let us know your thoughts below...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Steve Fowler has previously edited Auto Express, Carbuyer, DrivingElectric, What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New Citroen 2CV: plans for the icon's return, risks and rewards
Citroen 2CV Modern render

New Citroen 2CV: plans for the icon's return, risks and rewards

We've spoken to Citroen bosses on their plans to reboot the 2CV and whether they should go retro or futuristic
News
9 Jul 2025
Citroen recall: dealer network overwhelmed as thousands told to stop driving “immediately”
Citroen C3 Mk2 - front tracking

Citroen recall: dealer network overwhelmed as thousands told to stop driving “immediately”

‘Stop-drive’ order comes following the death of a woman in France suspected to have been caused by a faulty Takata airbag
News
3 Jul 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
New cars coming soon header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
23 Jun 2025
Should Citroen make a new 2CV? Some say oui, others say non
Opinion - should they do a new 2CV

Should Citroen make a new 2CV? Some say oui, others say non

A new Citroen 2CV could be inbound, but would this be a French fancy or a financial flop?
Opinion
8 Jun 2025

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand
Cyberster Black - front 3/4

New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand

MG boss thinks special editions like this might be the ticket to keeping up demand for the electric sports car
News
10 Jul 2025
Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona: small hybrid SUVs in a big battle
Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona - front end

Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona: small hybrid SUVs in a big battle

Hybrid newcomers slug it out for family buyers’ hearts and minds
Car group tests
12 Jul 2025