Wind in Your Hair, Electrons in the Air: Citroën's Cheeky Buggy is Back
Image Credit: Stellantis.
Remember that bug-eyed, open-air giggle-mobile, the Ami Buggy? The one that looked like it escaped from a cartoon and decided to hit the beach? Well - it’s back! And this time, it’s sticking around like that catchy tune you can’t quite shake. No longer a fleeting fancy, the facelifted Ami Buggy has officially joined the full Citroën Ami lineup, ready to inject a healthy dose of ‘whee!’ into our European escapades.
For those of you who missed the memo the first time around, Ami Buggy is a tiny electric vehicle that throws caution (and doors, apparently) to the wind. The new version keeps the breezy, no-door policy of its predecessor, opting instead for some rather fetching black metal hoops. It’s a minimalist off-roader but pint-sized and powered by the electron pixies. And for those drizzly days when Mother Nature decides to have a little cry? There are optional zipped door covers. After all, nobody likes a soggy bottom, even in a vehicle that’s essentially a stylish golf cart.
Adding to the Buggy’s undeniable charm are those gold-finished 14-inch steel wheels. It’s a magpie’s dream bolted onto this little electric runabout. Sadly, the previous model’s cool khaki hue has gone walkabout, but thankfully Citroën has bestowed upon us the Ami Buggy Palmeira. This top-of-the-line treat sports snazzy black and yellow decals that echo the brand’s iconic double-chevron logo. And inside? Prepare for a fiesta of yellow accents, from the storage boxes to the floor mats. Oh, and did I mention Andy? Palmeira buyers get a little robot dude with a bobbing head to keep them company on their electrifying jaunts.
The freshened-up Ami Buggy doesn’t mess with the under-the-hood bits. It still hums along with a single 8-horsepower electric motor, which isn’t going to break any land speed records. Top speed? A breezy 28 miles per hour. But who’s in a rush when you’re cruising with the wind in your hair (or what’s left of it)? The 5.5 kWh battery pack offers a tiny range of 47 miles, which is plenty for zipping around town or a leisurely jaunt to the local tapas bar in sunny Spain. And when it’s time to juice up, a standard 220V socket will have you back in action in about four hours. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!
Image Credit: Stellantis.
Turns out, there’s more to this tiny electric evolution. The updated Ami family also welcomes the Ami Cargo LCV (that’s a Light Commercial Vehicle for you non-Europeans) and the clever Ami for All, specifically designed for wheelchair users. Citroën believes that electric fun should be for everyone, and so do I. For those who fancy a bit of personalization with the standard Ami, there are also three “Color Packs” – Spicy, Icy, and Minty – offering colorful wheel covers, decals, and interior accents that you can install yourself.
When can you get your hands on one of these quirky electric chariots? Mark your calendars, my friends, because orders open across Europe on May 6th. Pricing for the standard Ami starts at a rather reasonable $9,100, with the Color Pack version chiming in at $9,500. The adventurous Ami Buggy will set you back $10,900, while the fully kitted-out Palmeira edition rings the till at $11,400. Considering that Citroën has already sold a whopping 75,000 Ami units since its 2020 debut, it seems this little electric marvel has struck a chord with the continent.
Image Credit: Stellantis.
The Citroën Ami Buggy is a breath of fresh, open-air fun. It’s a reminder that getting from A to B doesn’t always have to be a serious affair. Sometimes, a little bit of whimsical engineering and a whole lot of sunshine are all you need. If you happen to be in Europe and spot one of these buzzing by, give the driver a wave. They’re probably having more fun than anyone else on the road.
