Did Citroen just make the ugliest car ever? - discuss

[GiveMeABreak]

You don't even need a driving licence (in some countries) to drive one of these... so at least we'll be free of potential joyriders with the 28 MPH top speed.

I think these would be ok for a city commute to and from work, but I would be concerned about safety personally - no protection at all.

[NewcastleFalcon]

My view. Not bothered in the slightest at how it looks. It may not be possible to design a cute quadricycle within the constraints of the definition. It will never look like a Citroen DS no matter how hard you try.

I do think the Fiat clone of the Ami ups the cuteness factor just a touch


Our cities need to change a bit. Undoubtedly the Citroen AMI and its increasing number of clones, and quadricycles from other manufacturers are set to expand. Many now design cargo versions. Recently there was a pic on the forum of a line of Lamborghini's outside a London Hotel. Better looking but a wholly inappropriate design and specification for 20mph city streets, and slower than a London Bus in that environment.

Maybe the Ami will come to be regarded with affection even amongst those who currently regard it negatively. Let's face it did anyone ever desire the original Citroen Ami in their younger days Many look upon it now as quirkily Citroen and absolutely gorgeous...like me...


Citroën Ami 6 Break rear 20120816
Rudolf Stricker, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons

From the Archives:
The history of the Ami (quadricycle) on the FCF. Some good stuff in it usual nay sayers and just a few yay sayers like yours truly! Easy enough to find you tube examples of it being pushed beyond its design limits. Its a quadricycle. Most of the reviewing journalists love it.

The Citroen Marmite is Happening! When it came out as a concept Geneva Motor Show 2019 up to its manifestation as a production quadricycle. 3 pages of the gathered wisdom of the FCF faithful.
Link viewtopic.php?t=62059&hilit=ami

"The Citroen Ami" David Hallworth's thread, from just prior to when it became available in the UK (9 pages last post March 2023 and still semi-active)
Link viewtopic.php?t=66845

Neil

[NotAnInterestingName]

They make sense in France, where you don't need a driving licence, younger people can drive them than can drive a car, and the other drivers aren't as stupid as they are here. So they're designed to address a specific French need.

But here, they make bugger all sense. I definitely wouldn't want to be in one with a twollop in some german-branded insecurity complex trying to drive into the boot. Crash in one of these and you'll be dead or in a wheelchair for life.

I'd really like someone to make a £15k cheap proper electric car with say a 100-mile range. They'd sell loads as second car runabouts. But this Ami is just way too crap.

[Gibbo2286]

Let's face it Alec Issigonis did the best job of family small car design first with the Minor then the Mini, an electric Morris Minor with upgraded brakes and suspension would suffice for most UK motorist's needs.

[Doo]

I think we should have a Bastille day....

We could call it B@5t@rd5WhoStealPutAway day

Back on topic. That is a bit of a dog Almost as ugly as that monstrosity (although the monstrosity wins hands down) the Gee Wizz

[Jay-Bruce]

I suspect that seeing local plod patrolling in this mofo would have emboldened criminals and RAISED crime rates

[Jay-Bruce]

We should maybe look to londns crime stats to see if that actually happened

[Rp0thejester]

I don't understand why they are designing small cars to be that ugly! The smart car isn't ugly and it's small, perfect for London streets and parking bays. And also the frame is designed for an impact with 'gaps' in it to cushion the impact. Are they doing it because they have to offer a small car eco friendly option and hopes no one buys it? If that's their aim I think they have succeeded

[Rp0thejester]

Just compared it to the ugliest cars ever list.

Citroen wins....

[MattBLancs]

G-wiz has always one item that was just unforgivably ugly to my eyes:

What on earth is going on with the wiper arm!?!

From Auto Express article "the worst cars"

It's a flat, nearly square, windscreen and yet this odd cranked arm slapped in the middle of it!

[MattBLancs]

A better image of the wiper awfulness is further down the page

[Gibbo2286]

Stop with the 'ugly' talk it's transport, gets you from A to B cheaply looks don't matter.

[Jay-Bruce]

The original topgear cast agree with you, and must have been thinking exactly that when they made this:

[Michel]

I think I've just seen the worlds ugliest car, and unfortunately, it bears our beloved chevron badge on the front of it:



I'll leave y'all to discuss this while I go and bathe my eyes in some optrex to try and unsee that monstrosity that Citroen call the Ami...

I really like these. There's one local to me, and apart from the lack of speed, I'd have one immediately!

[Jay-Bruce]

Fair enough, I respect your individuality, and hope they make a go-faster version for you. But still, I'm sure you know you're in the minority on this marmite-motor?