Christopher Sharp tested the Citroen Ami Buggy during the SMMT's Drive Live event last month and found it a joyful reminder that cars can be fun, despite the vehicle lacking one crucial element: doors.
The Ami Buggy is a more rugged version of the Citroen Ami quadricycle released in 2023. Both vehicles are fundamentally similar, with the Buggy costing around £10,496 when new, approximately £2,000 more than the standard Ami.
Specs and First Impressions
In terms of pure numbers, the Ami Buggy has a range of just 46 miles, a top speed of 28mph, and a charging time of four hours into a 5.5kWh battery pack. On paper, this makes the two-seat vehicle not very practical, but that is not really the point.
The original Ami, tested by Sharp in 2023 in Central London, was designed for buzzing around city streets rather than long road trips. On the day he drove the Buggy, it was a crisp late-September Thursday, with heat at the height of the day but a chill creeping in during early mornings and late evenings. He tested the car in the shadow of the Malvern Hills, where the Morgan motor company tests its latest vehicles and where Sharp had visited to test the Super 3 in 2024.
What's It Like to Drive?
During the test, Sharp had to pull over halfway through to don his blue bobble hat and a neck warmer because the Ami has no doors. Instead, there are a couple of gates in the shape of oval bars, leaving occupants exposed to the outside.
On the road, the Ami Buggy reaches its 28mph top speed briskly and does not complain while threading along. It did not feel at home on those roads, but it is more suited to a city, the seaside, or much warmer conditions. The steering is responsive, the seats are hard but perfect for short journeys, and the suspension exists.
It is hard to compare it to any other electric vehicle because it is so unlike most others. Sharp compares it to its be-doored sibling instead.
Comparison With the Standard Ami
The main visual difference between the two Amis is that one has doors and the other does not. The interiors are similar, with similar software and basic operation, including a manual flyaway handbrake and buttons to change between forward, reverse, and neutral. Ahead of the steering wheel, there is a digital readout showing range, and down to the right (both Amis are left-hand drive), there is a cubby hole and netting to stow a bag. There is also a hook to hang another bag.
The biggest difference when driving is how insulated you are from the outside. Testing the standard Ami in central London, it did not feel claustrophobic with two people inside. The Ami Buggy, by dint of having no doors and slightly more adventurous styling, feels more fun.
Fundamentally, which Ami you want depends on what you need it for. If you live in a city or the countryside but do not drive for more than 10 or 15 miles at a time, the standard Ami is probably the better, more sensible bet. If you have the money to spare and live in a hot country, the Ami Buggy will do just fine, offering the most fun and a sense of being on a quest as the wind rushes through the wool of your hat. Sharp gave the Ami Buggy a verdict of 9/10.
