The endearing Citroën Ami, a nice 100% electric light quadricycle, has gradually gained a foothold in our market, where it already has several versions, including an all-terrain vehicle named 'My Ami Buggy': its launch version limited to 50 units was so popular that it sold out in less than 18 minutes.
Now the brand has wanted to go one step further by creating a variant called "Ami for All", which, as its name indicates, is designed to try to bring it closer to all drivers, and is the most accessible in the range.
This very special Ami is developed in collaboration with PIMAS (experts in the transformation of vehicles for people with reduced mobility) and debuts today in Paris.
This is the Citroën Ami For All
The Citroën Ami For All, still in the prototype phase, is specifically designed so that it can be driven by people with reduced mobility. Thus, it has specific characteristics such as a greater opening angle of the doors to make access easier. In addition, it has specific controls and a very practical solution that allows transporting a wheelchair inside or outside the passenger compartment.
The prototype, which debuts today at the Porte de Versailles fairgrounds on the occasion of the Autonomic fair in Paris (and will be on display there until June 8), arises from the Stellantis 'Star*up' program, which the manufacturer defines as “an incubator of ideas” of employees.
In this case, the person in charge of the project is Christophe Lapeyre, who has been inspired by his stepson's classmates with mobility problems, who depended on adapted vehicles for practically all his transfers. He "wanted to create a solution adapted to electric mobility" to give them greater freedom and autonomy.
Citroën and Lapeyre saw in the Ami the ideal platform for people with reduced mobility, from their adolescence and without having to obtain a driver's license, to better manage themselves and have access to their own vehicle.
“Its compact size makes it agile and easy to park and ensures there is enough space around it to maneuver a wheelchair. Its height also facilitates access”, says the manufacturer.
In this sense, the Ami For All has, among other things, rear-hinged doors and a much greater opening angle than the standard version, so that users can get as close as possible to the AMI to access the interior.
In addition, a handle that is installed at the top of the door frame will help with access and exit, as well as a small retractable platform that makes it easy to transfer from the wheelchair to the car.
In the passenger compartment, the quadricycle is also equipped with specific controls. Thus, in addition to being able to use the pedals if desired, a mechanical lever has been added for manual control of the accelerator and brake pedal, which you simply have to pull or push.
In addition, it presents two solutions specially designed for transporting a wheelchair. This can be placed folded in the passenger compartment next to the driver, and be held by a simple strap system so that it does not move while driving (or the wheels can be removed, depending on the chair, so it may not always be the most practical option. ).
More practical (and also allows a passenger to travel next to the driver) will be in some cases the solution designed to transport the chair outside the quadricycle.
Basically the "Ami for All" has a kind of aluminum luggage rack at the rear that allows you to hold the wheelchair, and cover it with a protective canvas if desired. Of course, although this solution allows you to travel with a companion, it will require some help from the driver.
As for the mechanics, there are no changes, since the project was developed in collaboration with PIMAS, part of the original Citroën Ami, powered by an 8 CV electric motor, powered with a 5.5 kWh battery and with a range of about 43 kilometers.
At the moment, the manufacturer has not revealed if this version will go into production, although everything seems to indicate that it will. "We are delighted to present this technical solution to support the mobility of disabled people and we are working to make this project feasible in the short term," they say.
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