Citroën Friend’s test: Should we crack for this electric car without a license?, Citroën Friend: All photos

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Citroën Friend: All photos

These small design savings allowed Citroën to sell its quadricycle at a price much lower than those of its main rivals. A 6.000 euros in entry-level version (Ecological bonus of 900 euros deduced), the friend is offered half as expensive as an Aixam E-City, an electric cart without a license, and more than 3.000 euros less than the “old” Renault Twizy. Citroën even offers a leasing rental offer, allowing to pay less than 20 euros per month for 4 years after a first contribution of 3.541 euros.

Citroën Friend’s test: Should we crack for this electric car without a license ?

Capital took the wheel of the Citroën Ami, an electric quadricycle without a license, accessible from the age of 14 and sold 6.000 euros, ecological bonus deduces. Our first impressions behind the wheel in the streets of Paris.

By Julien Sarboraria Automobile Journalist
Posted on 08/28/2020 at 4:34 p.m. & updated on 06/12/2021 at 11:30 am

If you want to travel discreetly in Paris, do not drive in Citroën Friend ! We experienced it during the first trials of the brand quadricycle to the chevrons. Some show you the finger, others challenge you in the red light. And the same question comes back every time: but what is this funny car ? It is true that the Citroën Ami surprises by its micro -Gaborite (2.41 meters long and 1.36 meters wide), which would almost pass the smart Fortwo – 28 cm longer – for a giant.

The Citroën Ami also surprises with its look which seems straight out of a science fiction film. It has a symmetrical body (the front and rear of the vehicle are identical) and two doors – also identical – with reverse opening. This is original, even if Citroën’s main objective was to limit manufacturing costs. Thus, the friend is made up of only 250 body parts and his outdoor dress is in raw plastic. It only exists in gray but it is possible to personalize it thanks to several optional accessory kits offered.

The interior is also stripped up to the maximum (no interior mirror and doors handles, no airbag, side windows opening half as on 2CV, apparent tubular chassis); But the main thing is there: a steering wheel without power steering (the friend weighs less than 500 kg), two pedals, a speed selector, a handbrake and a small screen displaying the remaining speed and autonomy. The upper versions still have the right to a support to install your smartphone and a USB socket.

Cheaper than a cart

These small design savings allowed Citroën to sell its quadricycle at a price much lower than those of its main rivals. A 6.000 euros in entry-level version (Ecological bonus of 900 euros deduced), the friend is offered half as expensive as an Aixam E-City, an electric cart without a license, and more than 3.000 euros less than the “old” Renault Twizy. Citroën even offers a leasing rental offer, allowing to pay less than 20 euros per month for 4 years after a first contribution of 3.541 euros.

If a scooter or an electric bike are more affordable, they are more exposed to the risk of accidents and do not have a closed interior like that of the friend, allowing to be safe from the weather and to stay at hot winter thanks to the heating, delivered in series on all versions.

The Queen of Cities

Legislation obliges, the Citroën Friend can only embark two people on board. They are seated next to each other as in a normal car, but slightly out of step to improve a little space in the elbows and allow the transport of a small suitcase in front of the passenger (there is no chest). On the other hand, baby will have to stay at home since there is no ISOFIX fixation to install a child seat.

Driving the Citroën Friend is however a children’s game. A key turn in the Neiman, driving selector in a “d” position and the car starts in silence. The first meters are quite disturbing because there is no interior mirror, but you get used to it very quickly, as the visibility around the vehicle is good. We also appreciate the brightness offered by the large panoramic glass roof (not opening), even if the absence of an blind may raise temperatures in the middle of summer.

Despite the low power of the electric motor (6 kW, barely 8 hp), the vehicle has a good efficiency at start -up and quite easily reaches 45 km/h, its maximum speed. But it is better to have a light foot to hope to reach the 75 km of electric autonomy announced by the manufacturer. At the start of our test, the on -board computer indicated about 50 km, which is still sufficient for 100% urban use, for which this vehicle is intended (prohibition to take the fast tracks, even the device). Note that the small 5.5 kWh battery recharges in 3 hours on a domestic outlet of 230 V. An adapter allows you to connect to the autolib terminals ’.

If rolling comfort is not worthy of a real Citroën (the hard seat of the seats does not help), the road behavior is effective on the dry. To see during a next test if the absence of electronic aid (ABS, ESP …) makes driving less reassuring on the wet. Braking is, in any case, easy to dose and the car brakes even when you release the accelerator foot until full stop. Practical.

Management is not most precise, but the maneuverability of the Citroën Ami works wonders in the streets of Paris. She breaks even better than a smart and her small size allows her to sneak everywhere. Nevertheless, it does not allow the lines of cars to be raised and therefore avoid traffic jams. This is its main weakness in the face of two-wheelers.

Test of the test

Crunchy to watch and joke to drive, the Citroën Friend should type in the eye of parents who do not want to see their teenagers on a scooter, and to city dwellers who are looking for a secure and comfortable alternative to public transport and/or two- wheels. According to figures published by Citroën, 1.000 customers have already ordered since the month of hand of this funny machine who hopes to invade our big cities.

MOST
Original look and space on board
Handling and visibility at the top
Affordable price in the face of direct competition

THE LESSERS
No ISOFIX fixation to install a child seat
Impossible to go up the traffic lines
Plastic body fairly vulnerable to shocks

Citroën Friend: All photos

The Citroën Friend is a small 100 % electric vehicle with only 2 places (2.41 m in length). Accessible to all, without a license (from 14 years old in France), it adapts to the needs of each, whether it is self -sharing, via free2move, or long -term rental (€ 19.99/month). Equipped with a 5.5 kWh battery, the Citroën AMI has a maximum autonomy of 70 kilometers. Once connected to a classic 220 V socket, it recharges in 3 hours. All info