Citroen Ami

Herzlos

Goudy said:

Parking spots are pretty much a standard size, it's not going to free up space there.

It looks like it's like the Smart car in that you can park 2 of them sideways in a parking space, so with some co-ordination they will free up some spaces. They'll also be great for any unmarked street parking because they can go in end-on. Of course it'll be frustrating as hell thinking you've found a space in a car park to find a tiny car at the back.

Then we're obviously looking at it from a UK perspective, where roads and parking are generally pretty spacious. If you live in an old European walled city, then having a smaller car makes life so much easier.

Something like this would also be great for people scooting about big business sites - going from office building 1 to factory building 6, half a mile away, or security patrols and so on. Trips that you might have otherwise done in something like a golf cart.

Herzlos

CoastingHatbox said:

Grumpy_chap said:

The Ami is a funky little thing, but possibly solving a problem that does not exist.

For your needs, an EV could still provide the solution, with either a recharge stop en-route for the 350 mile round trip or hire an ICE those 4 to 6 times per year.

I think it's solving a problem for suburban commuters possibly. But for many a bicycle would work just as well and be a lot cheaper.

Bicycles, including electric bikes and cargo bikes would be ideal for most people, and if we evolved to a more bike friendly country things would be much better for everyone.

But many people seem to have a pathological hatred of bicycles so would rather drive a car somewhere when a bicycle would be nicer, quicker, healthier and cheaper. So something like this fills in a niche where a car is excessive and a bicycle isn't suitable or desirable.

Goudy

So it's slower, has less range and is as aesthetically pleasing as the G-Wiz.

Between the Twizy and the G-Wiz they sold around 1100.
The Ami hasn't a high bar to reach really.

Grumpy_chap

Herzlos said:

It looks like it's like the Smart car in that you can park 2 of them sideways in a parking space, so with some co-ordination they will free up some spaces. They'll also be great for any unmarked street parking because they can go in end-on. 

It is my understanding that it is not permitted in UK to park end-on, happy to be corrected of course.

Herzlos said:

Bicycles, including electric bikes and cargo bikes would be ideal for most people, and if we evolved to a more bike friendly country things would be much better for everyone.

This is a real thing - not necessarily bikes though.
Since COVID, I have learned how many places I can walk to just as quick as the car, no hassle to park, healthier and more environmentally friendly.  
There are an absolute maze of little footpaths and cut-throughs that I never knew existed, little walks along green corridors.  
Many of these local paths are not open to cycles around our way, footpaths only.  Some are not suited to bikes, but some could be made suitable - would cyclists use the suitable paths and walk the parts that are not suitable?

born_again

Goudy said:

Yes those were successful, were being the operative word.
All the others and many more, came and went in the blink of an eye.
Cars are actually getting bigger, look at the size of the original Golf compared to today. 
Ford are pulling the Fiesta for what? Something smaller or something bigger like an SUV.

If there is ever a push for these types of Micro cars, we only need to look at Japan and their Kei car culture.
They legislated for them. The government restricted dimensions, engine capacity, speed limits etc but they also promoted their use by offering tax and insurance benefits, they didn't require garage certificates to prove you had somewhere to park them either.

They work, Kei cars make up around 40% of new car sales over there even after they imposed higher taxes on them in 2014.

Unfortunately, we have never embraced these tiny cars, they've never sold enough to make any difference and probably won't until laws change.

Just like many & EV's as they do one long trip for their holidays. 

pallyman

The thing which also worries me about these small cars,although i like them is once being a Robin Reliant owner myself it will get idiots tipping them over ,happened 3 times with my Reliant.

facade

pallyman said:

The thing which also worries me about these small cars,although i like them is once being a Robin Reliant owner myself it will get idiots tipping them over ,happened 3 times with my Reliant.

In the 5th Gear test Vicki Butler-Henderson had a good go at rolling one and got it on two wheels making it a complete deathtrap.

I just thought she was going far too fast for the manoeuvre she was attempting, despite what people say it isn't a go-kart.

pallyman

facade said:

pallyman said:

The thing which also worries me about these small cars,although i like them is once being a Robin Reliant owner myself it will get idiots tipping them over ,happened 3 times with my Reliant.

In the 5th Gear test Vicki Butler-Henderson had a good go at rolling one and got it on two wheels making it a complete deathtrap.

I just thought she was going far too fast for the manoeuvre she was attempting, despite what people say it isn't a go-kart.

I meant idiots tipping it over at night when it was parked up,lol.Never had a problem when driving though.

Stubod

...Sinclair C5 springs to mind..???

Car_54

Grumpy_chap said:

Herzlos said:

It looks like it's like the Smart car in that you can park 2 of them sideways in a parking space, so with some co-ordination they will free up some spaces. They'll also be great for any unmarked street parking because they can go in end-on. 

It is my understanding that it is not permitted in UK to park end-on, happy to be corrected of course.

Certainly illegal during lighting-up hours, but OK otherwise I think. Again, happy to be corrected.