The French have a long history of designing vehicles one might categorically place within the automotive equivalent of ugly delicious – charming, unconventional, occasionally awkward, evocative, but almost always memorable. Citroën’s latest vehicle – the Ami One Concept – unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show checks off on all marks as a characteristically French take on urban mobility outfitted for a generation acclimated to on-demand rental vehicles.
The chunky squat profile partnered with its four-spoke 18-inch wheels, symmetrical layout, Orange Mécanique body paint with black trim detailing in sum give the Ami One Concept a ladybug-like affability.
Rear-hinged driver and front-hinged passenger doors give a plethora of options for access and egress.
Designed as a 2-seat, all-electric urban mobility vehicle, the quirky micro machine not only forgoes the combustion engine, but also is designed to be used without a driver’s license as “an alternative to public transport (bus, tramway, metro) and other individual, two-wheeler means of transport such as bikes, scooters and kick scooters.” Similar to popular app-accessible, on-demand urban scooters, the Ami One Concept’s doors lock and unlock via a QR code via smartphone; inside, a dedicated space outfitted with an induction charging area offers passengers a place to keep their phones, while also connecting the vehicles features and comfort options through the user’s own device (including voice-activated interactions to ensure hands-on safety).
“Depending on the app used, the screen display is in bubble form, projected on the reflection panel in the driver’s field of vision as with a head-up display system. Advanced functions such as infotainment and navigation may be used in addition to regulation-required driving instruments to further enhance the driving experience.”
Building upon the popular convenience of on-demand rentals, Citroen envisions the Ami One Concept as a flexible use option for anyone seeking a vehicle, whether it be a 5-minute drive down to the market up to a 5-year long term lease.
-5 minutes or 5 hours: the mobility object is made available at a given location for a given period of time through a car-sharing offer operated by the Free2Move brand. Using the app dedicated to new forms of mobility, customers can choose their Ami One Concept in a few clicks.
-5 days: The mobility object is available in the form of an easy-access short-term rental offer. The customer simply reserves the vehicle on line at Citroën’s Rent&Smile site.
-5 months: Commitment-free access for a shorter period of time than “conventional” ownership.
-5 years: The mobility object is also available as part of a five-year long-term leasing option with battery, maintenance and parking included in the monthly payment; With the 100% online purchasing journey, customers can choose the delivery location, be it at their home or the closest point of sale.
Reinforcing the lifestyle angle of the concept, Citroen’s pug-faced, all-electric ride is also complemented by a whole slew of lifestyle accessories designed in partnership with French leather goods designer, Damien Béal, including exclusive luggage created to complement the concept’s form and colorway, a backpack sized to fit in the storage space in front of the passenger, a shopping basket, and a cylinder-shaped travel bag.
Photos: Maison Vignaux @ Continental Productions
Perhaps best of all, because of its size and the speed limitations inherent to its specifications, the Ami One Concept falls within a category of vehicle like the moped that does not require users to have a license. Anyone 16 or older can use the vehicle sans license (at least in Europe), offering a safer and more comfortable option to two-wheeled vehicles sharing the road with full-sized automobiles. If reception is strong, the possibility of production of the Citroën’s concept is slated between anywhere between 2020 and 2025.
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