Citroën e-Méhari: the false good idea

The mechanical base is rigorously identical to that of an autolib: namely an electric motor, coupled with an automatic gearbox, and a pack of batteries located in the floor. Starting is not surprised in silence. Despite the limited power (68 hp punctually and 48 hp continuous) and the fairly high weight of 1.405 kg, accelerations are rather vigorous thanks to the maximum torque available immediately . We even quickly exceed the maximum approved speed (110 km/h) with a tip at 122 km/h. But it is quickly realized that it is necessary to drive with an egg under the foot to maintain correct autonomy ! The pack placed in the floor offers very variable autonomy, depending on the rhythm of driving and the type of journey made. Of the 200 km announced (apparently easily reaching town), we have not exceeded 100 km on our rather fast mixed journey ..

The Citroën E-Méhari on the test, four places and a 100% electric operation

50 years after his illustrious elder, Citroën reinvents the 21st century mehari. A discoverable body, four -seater and 100% electric operation. It didn’t take more to become the trendiest leisure vehicle of the moment.

Remember last year, Citroën presented us with a particularly refreshing concept wanting the worthy descendant of the legendary Méhari of the 60s. THE Cactus M Concept had everything to reach a future in production. We even tried it in Cascais along the Portuguese coastline. Five months later, the idea germinated. But the base is no longer that of a cactus. The chevrons brand presents the serial model on which the concept has led to: a small 4-seater convertible, fun and 100% electric, which you will soon find in the Citroën showroom: the e-Méhari.

An autolib base

We are far from the vehicle we had tried last year in Portugal. The Cactus M Concept was the fruit of a cross between a C4 Cactus and a mehari of the sixties. This e-mehari that we are trying today has nothing to do. It is based on a vehicle that Parisians often meet on the road: in fact, it is an autolib ‘ ! L’ Autolib You know, this is the Parisian electric car car -sharing service designed by Vincent Bolloré. The models are bluecar. But if we look a little further, there is an even narrower relationship between the Citroën E-Méhari and Bolloré: a little over two years ago, the businessman launched an electric beach vehicle based On his BlueCar. There Bluesummer was born. In fact, the Citroën E-Méhari is an evolution of the Bolloré Bluesummer ! An exchange of good processes therefore. For the industrialist, but also for Citroën, who therefore did not need to start from a white sheet. It was only 8 months to design this e-mehari.

L-L-H: 3.81 x 1.87 x 1.65 m

Aesthetically, we can’t really talk about metamorphosis: Citroën was finally content to affix his rafters on the grille. And a pair of sharp optics. The wheels underlined with raw plastics, and the raised ground clearance, on the other hand, bring a fairly nice “buggy” spirit . The rest is almost included in the identical: the format, the rather rustic plastic body, and even the arches come from the Bluesummer.

The French Jeep

To pretend to the title of descendant of the Méhari, this electric city car had to be quite rustic. The doors do not lock. However, it is possible to secure a few objects and the recharge taking in the booty floor accommodation.

Autolibbluesummer but the spirit of the original mehari is mainly due to its modular side panels, and its roll -up roof tarpaulins. Five minutes are enough to increase driving sensations in the open air by removing the whole. And the kit is simply stored “under and behind” the rear seat. The chest volume is enough to go picnic: from 200 liters in 4-seater configuration, it goes to 800 liters in 2-seater mode. Verdict in the rain, some leaks remain in the passenger compartment, at the level of the roof straps located near the windshield. And the fog is somewhat difficult to disappear when you chat with a passenger. But we can also keep one or more elements. And finally in sunny weather, it is noted that it is enough to remove the roof canvas and/or a side panel to roll disheveled !

A washable interior with water !

Some will recognize the Hawaiian print of the upholstery. It is an idea inaugurated on the Bluesummer, improved by Citroën on the Cctus M, and finally produced on the e-Méhari: the coating of the seats is in neoprene. It is exactly the same material used for diving combinations, or certain motorcycle stools. It’s waterproof, it doesn’t fear rain, and it dries quickly. You can even wash it with running water ! Another practical tip: siphons located in the front places allow you to evacuate water. Allowing you to easily clean the sand when I got back from the beach. top ! But beware all the same, because the dashboard and the gearbox do not like it not at all the water ! Personally I will not take the risk. Don’t forget, you are in an electric car.

Mechanics widely proven

The mechanical base is rigorously identical to that of an autolib: namely an electric motor, coupled with an automatic gearbox, and a pack of batteries located in the floor. Starting is not surprised in silence. Despite the limited power (68 hp punctually and 48 hp continuous) and the fairly high weight of 1.405 kg, accelerations are rather vigorous thanks to the maximum torque available immediately . We even quickly exceed the maximum approved speed (110 km/h) with a tip at 122 km/h. But it is quickly realized that it is necessary to drive with an egg under the foot to maintain correct autonomy ! The pack placed in the floor offers very variable autonomy, depending on the rhythm of driving and the type of journey made. Of the 200 km announced (apparently easily reaching town), we have not exceeded 100 km on our rather fast mixed journey ..

A wintering mode

The charging time will depend on your installation. 8 hours in 16A with a wallbox at 1 p.m. on an ordinary 10A socket. Be careful all the same: the Bolloré batteries requires remaining connected to the network under penalty of a full discharge in 48 hours ! But Citroën thought of everything. The e-Méhari will be at best the third car in the home. And a “wintering” mode allows you to circumvent the discharge problem: the battery temperature is no longer maintained beyond 70 degrees imposed by technology. The load then holds 4 months ! It will simply be necessary to reconnect the vehicle at least 4 hours at the time of reviviscence.

As on the cactus, three buttons (D, N, R) replace the usual gear lever

Fun like a golf cart

Level behavior, the e-Méhari does not display the rigor of a modern city car. The fairly firm suspension relatively well contains the movements of the raised box. Comfort suffers, unlike dynamism and driving pleasure ! The other downside concerns motor skills, not really optimal. However, one of the largest updates compared to Autolib ‘concerns the integration of ESP and ABS, for more serene conduct. On the other hand, no airbag…

18.700 euros + 79 euros / month

Let’s talk about things that are now angry. How much would you be ready to pay to ride on this Méhari of Modern Times ? 10.Euros ? Not really … count rather 18.700 euros, after deduction of the ecological bonus of 6.300 euros granted to electric vehicles. Some may benefit from an additional 3 premium.700 euros, provided you have a diesel over 10 years old. Or 15.000 euros therefore in the best of cases. The note is salty. And however, it will still be necessary to add 79 euros per month of rental of batteries. A Renault Zoé , A little more rational, a little less fun, will cost you 3.000 euros less. It is also the price of a 68 mehari (restored). Finally, note that Citroën offers an all inclusive LLD offer of 299 euros / month for 49 months.

Citroën e-Méhari: the false good idea

E-Méhari is a commercial failure, and no one hides it. Coming from a subcontracting agreement with Bolloré, this opportunistic model allowed Citroën to put another foot in the electric (after the C-Zéro and the AX and SAXO electric), pending the development of more attractive models ( and efficient). To camouflage the indigence of the offer, it was enough to camouflage it behind a vague idea of ​​a revisited mehari: a misery cache that does not take anyone..

Production dates: 2016-2019

Europe sales: 1,475 copies

Place of production : Rennes (35)

Restyling: 2018

In this mid -2010 mid -year, Bolloré still dreams of a car manufacturer. Since 2013, his BlueCar (first manufactured at Pininfarina, then, from 2015, at Alpine, in Dieppe and produced at a few thousand copies) saturated the urban landscapes of Paris (Autolib), Bordeaux (Bluecub), Lyon (Blulye) and even London (Bluecity), Indianapolis (Blueindy), Los Angeles (Bluela) and Singapore (Bluesg). A facade success since quickly, the services will close, including in Paris (its commercial showcase).

Industrial Agreement with Bolloré

But in 2014, the time is still euphoria at Bluesolution, the bolloré subsidiary dedicated to electric and battery production. After the Bluecar dedicated to self-sharing, now places the Bluesummer, a small leisure vehicle based on the same technology. The target turns out to be a little different this time. In the viewfinder, hotel and campsite professionals, car rental on site (seaside resorts), and of course (rich) individuals wishing a buffered beach vehicle “good for the planet”. The situation with Pininfarina is no longer in good shape, Bolloré will turn to PSA for the subcontracting of his production. This is good since the Citroën factory in Rennes-La Jana needs activities while waiting for the arrival of future 3008 and 5008. The contract is therefore signed and the small bluesummer, with the objectives displayed of 3,500 vehicles per year, is then found on the chains of the Breton factory. At the same time, the factory signed a contract with the SNCF for the interior renovation of the TGV wagons. That is to say if the factory turns then in slow motion.

A Citroën version to save the bluesummer

At the time of signing, PSA does not – a priori – of ambition for the bluesummer. However, the miracle contract with Bolloré is more complicated than expected. The objectives, although low, are not about to be achieved as the bluesummer is struggling to seduce customers. It must be said that the latter does not have a distribution network proper and that no communication budget was assigned to him by Bolloré, a little light on the case. In an attempt to boost the production line that walks in slow motion, Citroën therefore decides to produce a marked version of the rafters. The brand sees some advantages: rotating the chain, giving a green communication opportunity and offering an ecological image to a time when the brand only has the C-Zéro (made in Japan) in its electric range. Finally, Citroën has a dense network of concessions and agents: enough to energize the car.

Revive the mehari spirit

Since it is a beach car and you want to put the odds on your side, we decide to call on the imagination and nostalgia for the mehari by simply reversing it e-Méhari. A crime of lese majesty for purists, especially since no particular sign recalls the old Citroën on the new model (if not, as we have said, the concept). Regardless: Citroën’s ambitions were not very high since it was necessary to remain below a certain level of production to benefit from security derogations (absence of airbags in particular). Little risks therefore, and very measured objectives certainly, but from there to take such a bowl ? PSA decision-makers may not expect !

Full failure

It must be said that the e-Méhari was expensive, not necessarily very pretty, had a rather weak autonomy (195 km announced, much less in reality). But there is worse: the e-mehari (like the BlueCar and the Bluesummer) had to be left constantly in charge to maintain the temperature of the LMP battery: an ecological aberration while being un practical. You will understand, after 3 years of production and only 1,475 copies (what a rate), the e-Méhari bows down without regret, neither at PSA, nor among buyers. In any case, the Rennes factory now turns thorough thanks to the success of 3008 and 5008 and no longer needs to compensate by subcontracting. Finally, note that there is only one special series on the basis of the e-Méhari, signed Courrèges and produced in only 61 copies. Finally, in 2018, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac made a special version for the 60th anniversary of the Méhari, a copy that will remain unique.