This Citroen Type H homage Type-Ami could be yours in Europe for just €13,900 (RM 64,000).
While the Citroen Ami is certainly a car that is not lacking in charm, Italian-based bodywork manufacturer Caselani however thought it could nevertheless use a bit more retro French flair. So thus it has unveiled the Type-Ami, which essentially transforms this cutesy electric quadricycle into a rolling mini homage to the automaker’s iconic Type H van.
Now in creating the Type Ami, virtually every exterior panel on this micro EV has been swapped for fiberglass items bearing ribs that mimic the distinctive corrugated metal of the original Type H. Caselani claims that its kit comes with all the necessary brackets and screws for installation while keeping the donor car’s greenhouse, door mechanisms, and roof unchanged.
The kit further includes new pod-style headlights and a huge pair of chevrons on its bullnose front, with the latter only to proudly be there from Citroen having its official blessing onto this kit. And just as a finishing flourish, Caselani has also thrown in a set of retro steelies on each corner.
Despite the new ribbed bodywork, the Caselani conversion interestingly does not add a single kilo to the regular car’s svelte 471 kg kerb weight. Though this however likely doesn’t take into account the option of faux-leather upholstery, which can be had in place of the regular Ami’s plastic seats and steering wheel rim.
Mechanically, the Type-Ami retains the same single 6 kW electric motor and a 5.4 kWh battery pack as the base car. This in turn translates to a top speed for this electric quadricycle of 45 km/h, while its range on a full charge is estimated at just 75 km.
Prices for a fully-converted Type-Ami from Caselani currently start from €13,900 (RM 64,000), but the company will also sell the body kit alone to existing Ami owners for €5,000 (RM 23,000). Buyers can choose from nine standard colors, but the company will also offer custom paint matching for those who want something more unique.
According to lead designer David Obendorfer, the Type-Ami was originally intended as a one-off project for Fabrizio Caselani, the founder of Caselani. After a positive response from initially showing off the first running prototypes at the 24-hour Citroen 2CV race in Spa-Francorchamps, however, the decision was made to offer it as a commercial product.
Caselani is of course no stranger to winding back the clock on modern Citroens to look like their predecessors. Among its other retro-inspired creations include the Relay-based Type H, the Berlingo-based 2CV Fourgonnette and the mid-size Dispatch-based Type HG.
