Tag Archives: Citroen

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Citroën Ami Buggy Rip Curl Vision: Micro Mobility Meets the Surf

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

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Citroën Ami Dark Side: The Tiny Rebel Goes Matte Black for 2025

Citroën’s little electric cube has always marched—or rather, hummed—to the beat of its own motor. The Ami, launched in 2020, was never about following the rules of automotive design. It looked like something drawn straight out of a comic strip, a cheeky toy for the streets with the charm of a smiley emoji on wheels. Now, five years later, the French brand is embracing its mischievous streak once more with the Ami Dark Side, a Halloween-ready special edition that swaps its pastel hues for a matte black cloak and a bolder, more mature edge.

From Cartoon Cute to Dark Chic

The original Ami made urban mobility fun, approachable, and just a little absurd—in the best way. The 2025 restyle didn’t erase that personality, but it did give the tiny EV a grown-up makeover. The “Night Sepia” shade debuted earlier this year, softening the plastic bubble’s cartoon features with a bit more sophistication. The Dark Side, however, takes things to another level.

For the first time, the Ami is drenched in Black Night—a deep matte black finish that transforms its whole presence. White accents add sharp contrast: stickers, wheel trims, and graphic cube motifs give it a futuristic, almost digital vibe. The result? A car that can look rebellious or refined depending on its surroundings. It’s the Batmobile’s mischievous Parisian cousin—compact, electric, and wearing a grin instead of a scowl.

A New Face for the Familiar Smile

Citroën’s designers have sharpened Ami’s expression without losing its friendliness. The raised headlights now sit just under the windshield, framed by new black eyelid-like trims that make the car look more awake, more intentional. Between them, a molded “capsule” acts as a cheeky grin—this time with a matte black finish outlined in white. It’s subtle, but the effect is striking.

Out back, the new rear spoiler adds a hint of dynamism (and a splash of humor, because really—how fast can an Ami go?). The checkerboard wheel covers and door graphics nod to Citroën’s playful side, proving once again that even at 45 km/h, style matters.

Inside the Micro Batmobile

Step inside, and you’ll find Citroën hasn’t gone full goth. The Color Pack Dark Side introduces light gray accents and neatly stitched floor mats, adding brightness to the otherwise monochrome mood. The familiar smartphone-based infotainment setup remains—no screen, just your phone secured to the dash, running My Ami Play. From there, the Citroën Switch on the steering wheel handles music, navigation, and calls with surprisingly slick simplicity.

Practicality hasn’t been sacrificed either. Three modular storage boxes on the dashboard, a passenger bag hook, and nets for smaller items make the most of the tiny cabin. It’s minimalist, but clever.

Accessible, Electric, and Unapologetically Different

Underneath the special-edition flair, the Ami Dark Side is still the same lovable micro-EV: 100% electric, 75 km of range, a top speed of 45 km/h, and eligible to drive from as young as 14 in some countries. It’s as much an appliance as it is a vehicle—perfect for dense cities, short commutes, or anyone who simply wants to stand out in traffic.

With nearly 85,000 units sold since launch, Citroën’s gamble on radical simplicity has paid off. The Ami has become a pop-culture icon, the anti-car in a world obsessed with horsepower and hyper-efficiency. The Dark Side edition doubles down on that identity: a fashion statement for the electric age, equal parts eco and attitude.

Price and Availability

Starting at €8,890 in France and available across Europe—including Germany, Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and Italy—the Ami Dark Side remains one of the most affordable EVs you can buy. Orders open October 31, with deliveries set for January 2026. And yes, Citroën hasn’t forgotten the practical crowd: the My Ami Cargo and My Ami for All variants also get the Dark Side treatment.

The Ami Dark Side isn’t faster, bigger, or more capable than before—and that’s exactly the point. It’s a statement piece, a cultural object as much as a mobility tool. Citroën has once again managed to turn practicality into personality, proving that even the smallest EV on the road can have a big attitude.

Because sometimes, the dark side just looks better in matte black.

Source: Citroen

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Citroën’s Next Chapter: CEO Xavier Chardon Plots a Return to the Brand’s Soul

Citroën, the French automaker long known for its quirky charm and left-field innovation, is preparing for a major reboot. In December, the brand will host an event in Paris that promises to define its future design language and brand direction—an overdue move as the company searches for clarity in a crowded and electrified market.

At the helm is new CEO Xavier Chardon, a veteran executive who rejoined Citroën from the Volkswagen Group earlier this year. For Chardon, the mission is simple but ambitious: remind the world what makes a Citroën a Citroën.

“There is confusion around the brand,” Chardon admits, “but we are still capable of innovation.”

A Return to Roots—Without Nostalgia

Among Chardon’s first initiatives is a project that aims to revive the spirit of the 2CV, the humble postwar people’s car that became a French icon. While enthusiasts might dream of a retro revival, Chardon insists this is less about a reissue and more about rediscovering purpose.

“The 2CV was part of French culture,” he says. “Its mission was to democratize mobility—to give people freedom. It’s my duty to carry that brief into 2025 and 2026, because it’s super important to make individual mobility affordable again.”

That doesn’t mean a modern 2CV is imminent. Chardon stresses that the project is philosophical for now—“a mantra” rather than a model. The goal is to apply the 2CV’s ethos to future vehicles designed for the realities of 2026 to 2030: lightweight, efficient, and accessible mobility.

“It was the first experience of freedom,” he adds. “We have to reinvent that freedom for a new generation.”

A Simplified Lineup, A Sharper Focus

When asked about Citroën’s upcoming range, Chardon takes cues from Tesla’s minimalism. “You can have success with just two models,” he notes. “It’s not about quantity—it’s about clarity.”

The focus remains on the B- and C-segments, where Citroën has historically thrived. Expect the brand to double down on what it knows best: clever packaging, comfort-first interiors, and value-driven design.

He also drew comparisons between the Fiat Grande Panda—a platform twin to the new Citroën C3—and the Citroën’s more pragmatic approach. “The Fiat connects more directly to its DNA,” he concedes, “while the C3 is focused on space and comfort. Offering that space is super important for us.”

Still an Innovator

Despite its current lineup being less flamboyant than its heritage, Chardon points to the Citroën Ami, the minimalist two-seat EV, as proof that the company’s inventive streak is alive and well.

“The Ami shows we’re still true innovators,” he says. “It redefines what urban mobility can be.”

At the other end of the lineup, the C5 Aircross has been repositioned as Citroën’s flagship—a reflection of market reality. “The fact that our flagship is now an SUV rather than a sedan simply mirrors where customers are today,” Chardon explains.

A European Revival Through Small Cars

Chardon also sees opportunity in the European Commission’s proposed “E-car” category, which could relax regulations and revive the segment for smaller, affordable vehicles.

“This could democratize cars again,” he says. “Europe lost two million vehicles post-Covid—about one million of them were under €15,000. That’s a huge gap in accessibility.”

Regulations, rising costs, and pressure to reduce emissions have priced many buyers out of the new-car market, pushing them toward used vehicles and slowing fleet renewal. Chardon believes an affordable, Europe-built electric city car could help reverse that trend.

“Something close to Japan’s kei cars—affordable, electric, and made in Europe—makes sense,” he argues. “It fits perfectly within Citroën’s footprint. You don’t have to look far back—the C1 was a great example. I hope we can build those cars again.”

Clarity Through Character

Citroën’s path forward, then, is less about chasing trends and more about rediscovering its core character: accessibility, comfort, and human-centric design. Chardon’s challenge will be turning that philosophy into cars people actually want to buy—without losing the eccentric edge that once made Citroën a cult favorite.

December’s event in Paris may not deliver a new 2CV, but it could mark the start of something equally important: a brand reclaiming its identity in an era that desperately needs fresh ideas.

Source: Autocar