Citroen Ami Tonic range-topper starts from £8,695

• Tonic trim adds yellow and khaki styling touches
• Range of 46 miles and a top speed of 28mph
• Payments from £19.99 a month

The all-electric Citroen Ami is unofficially the cheapest new car on sale in the UK and has now gained a new range-topping trim level, dubbed the ‘Tonic’. This new model starts from just £8,695 and boasts a unique yellow and khaki colour scheme as well as a handful of lifestyle-oriented touches such as roof bars.

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The remainder of the Ami range kicks off at £7,695 with the entry-level model, simply named ‘Ami’. This is available on lease for as little as £19.99 over 24 months, with a £2,369.45 deposit. As standard, you get LED lights, a sunroof, a digital speedometer and a USB port. Three colour packs – orange, blue and grey – are available for £400, and are designed to be fitted at home.

Above the base Ami is the Pop version, although its benefits are largely cosmetic. The Citroen Ami Pop costs £8,495, at which point a used city car would make far more sense for most buyers. Citroen also offers an Ami Cargo model for last-mile delivery services.

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All of this highlights how expensive new cars have become in recent years; the Citroen Ami is just £300 cheaper than the Mk1 Dacia Sandero was when it launched. Admittedly, the base-spec Sandero Access has been discontinued, but it’s a real car; the Citroen Ami is classed as a quadricycle, much like a quad bike.

Despite the Ami’s classification as such, drivers must be over the age of 17 due to the tiny electric car weighing over 350kg. This doesn’t mean you’ll have to have a full driving licence, however; drivers only require an ‘AM driving licence’ to get behind the wheel. This is usually used for motorbikes or tricycles and will be more recognisable to younger people that want to ride a scooter as their first vehicle.

2022 Citroen Ami: electric motor, range and charging

The Ami is powered by an electric motor producing 8bhp, meaning it’s only usable in the confines of a city. It boasts a 5.5kW battery, giving it a range of up to 46 miles between charges and its top speed is 28mph. UK spec cars will come with a Type 2 charging adaptor along with a three-pin plug connection. A full charge takes around three hours. 

Design and interior 

The design of the Ami incorporates lightweight materials throughout to help maximise the car’s range, while keeping costs to a minimum. It weighs only 485kg, less than half of a regular Ford Fiesta. It’s just under 2.5m long and boasts a turning circle of only 7.2m, making it easy to manoeuvre in tight city streets. 

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Both the front and rear of the car sport a similar design, with the doors hinged at opposite ends of the car. Fold up windows also feature, saving both cost and weight. 

The Ami is a strict two-seater with no boot, although there is space for a hand-luggage size suitcase in the passenger footwell. A smartphone holder is mounted to the dashboard and a glass roof panel is standard. Full specifications will be revealed closer to the car’s on sale date, with four trim levels expected to be available alongside a commercial cargo model. 

What does it mean for car buyers?

While the Ami may look a slightly niche proposition, it will appeal to those who want to make the switch to an electric car for short trips around town without spending as much as they would on a more conventional electric car. The Ami could be an affordable alternative to public transport for city commuters, as well as a handy second car for those with a more conventional model for longer trips. 

Check out our guides to the cheapest electric cars and the smallest cars on sale