On the windswept Atlantic coast, where surfboards outnumber sedans and salt air is the local perfume, Citroën is waxing up its adventurous side once again. The French automaker has teamed up with legendary surf brand Rip Curl for the international finals of the Rip Curl GromSearch, a global event spotlighting under-16 surfing prodigies. And this year, Citroën isn’t just sponsoring the event—it’s bringing a concept car that feels right at home on the sand: the Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision.
This pint-sized electric oddball is Citroën’s latest experiment in youth mobility—a colorful, playful, and surprisingly thoughtful mashup of urban EV and surfside lifestyle accessory. It’s equal parts toy and tool, designed for those who live to chase waves, not gas stations.
The Partnership Returns to Shore
The Citroën–Rip Curl connection isn’t new. The partnership dates back to 2016, when the two brands started co-badging special editions of the C4 Cactus and C3 Aircross—compact cars that embodied freedom, creativity, and French eccentricity. Those cars targeted drivers seeking a bit of adventure beyond the boulevard.
This time, though, the collaboration dives deeper. With the Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision, the two companies are tapping into shared values of sustainability, freedom, and fun—all wrapped in a 100-percent electric package that’s accessible from age 14.
“Together, we share the same vision focused on adventure, style, and freedom,” says Xavier Chardon, CEO of Citroën. “The Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision embodies that free spirit while reaffirming our commitment to accessible electric mobility.”
Rip Curl Europe’s president, Mathieu Lefin, echoes that sentiment: “It’s the dream car for young surfers—a project that showcases recycling processes for used wetsuits and our commitment to sustainability and innovation in the service of freedom and adventure.”
A Buggy with a Surfer’s Soul
Think of the Ami Buggy as a cross between a dune buggy and a rolling surf shack. Its purple bodywork, contrasted with a white sunroof and black canvas detailing, gives it a cheerful, sun-faded aesthetic. The white LED light bar perched atop the roof doesn’t just look cool—it’s functional for those early dawn patrol sessions. Inside, Citroën keeps things eco-friendly with seat cushions and mats made from recycled wetsuits, along with storage bins and waterproof compartments designed with sandy gear in mind.
The Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision is full of practical touches that speak the language of surfers. There’s a portable shower and changing mat, a roof rack and side mounts for surfboards, and even a banana pouch that attaches to the steering wheel for on-the-go storage. A waterproof bag for wet gear and a foldable passenger-side storage bin make sure no space goes to waste.
And because Citroën can’t resist a bit of whimsy, the accessories list includes a Citroën x Rip Curl surfboard, an Ami-shaped wax comb, and even a purple Bluetooth speaker that matches the car’s exterior hue.
Electric Freedom for the Next Generation
Underneath the surf-inspired shell, the Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision shares its bones with the regular Citroën Ami, the brand’s quirky two-seat urban EV. The Ami is classified as a quadricycle, meaning it can be driven by teenagers as young as 14 in many European countries—no license required. Its 8-hp electric motor and roughly 45 km/h (28 mph) top speed won’t break any records, but that’s not the point.
This is mobility reimagined: compact, electric, and accessible. During the GromSearch finals near Hossegor, Citroën will supply a fleet of Amis and Buggies for young surfers’ transfers, while also offering public test drives. It’s a clever move—introducing the next generation to electric mobility in a way that feels like freedom, not compromise.
Sustainability, with a Smile
In a world where sustainability messaging often feels clinical, the Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision manages to make eco-consciousness look fun. Floor mats from recycled wetsuits, modular components, and small-scale electric power all underscore a philosophy of light impact and creative reuse.
It’s less about zero emissions bragging rights and more about proving that environmental design can have personality—and purple paint.
A French Wave of Optimism
The Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision isn’t a production car (at least not yet), but Citroën’s track record suggests this concept is more than vaporware. The brand has already experimented with limited runs of the Ami Buggy in France, all of which sold out in minutes. If this Rip Curl edition ever hits the market, expect it to be equally collectible.
Ultimately, this concept feels like a distillation of what Citroën does best: reimagining mobility with charm and purpose. It’s an urban runabout that thinks it’s a beach cruiser, built for a generation that values freedom over horsepower.
So while the Hossegor waves may rise and fall, the spirit behind this little EV endures—a reminder that adventure doesn’t always require an engine roaring at full throttle. Sometimes, it just needs a surfboard, a smile, and a silent ride down to the beach.
The Citroën Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision is a micro-mobility concept with a macro sense of fun. It blends sustainability, design flair, and surfer-friendly functionality into a package that’s as accessible as it is aspirational. If Citroën’s goal was to capture the youthful energy of surfing in an EV, they’ve done it—with a wave and a wink.
Source: Stellantis