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'{{about|the 1961 to 1978 production car|the 2019 concept car and 2020 electric [[Quadricycle (EU vehicle classification)|quadricycle]] |Citroën Ami (electric vehicle)}} {{Infobox automobile | name = Citroën Ami | image = File:Ami (6066400260).jpg | caption = Citroën Ami 6 | manufacturer = [[Citroën]] | production = 1961–1978 | assembly=[[PSA Rennes Plant|Rennes]] ([[Chartres-de-Bretagne|Chartres-de-Bretagne quarter]]), France<ref name=Citroenbrochure>{{cite book | title = Citroen GS: Citroen build with care (Anglophone brochure for UK market) |publisher=Citroen Cars Ltd (UK)|date = August 1976|location= [[Slough]] }}</ref><br /> [[Vigo]], [[Spain]]<br />[[Buenos Aires]], [[Argentina]]<br />[[Koper]], [[Yugoslavia]]<br/>[[Mangualde]], [[Portugal]]<br/>[[Forest, Belgium|Forest]], [[Brussels]], [[Belgium]] | successor = [[Citroën Axel]]<br/>[[Citroën Visa]] | class = [[Economy car|Economy]] [[family car]] ([[B-segment|B]]) | body_style = 4-door [[notchback]] [[sedan (car)|saloon]] (Ami 6)<br />4-door [[fastback]] [[sedan (car)|saloon]] (Ami 8)<br />5-door [[station wagon|estate]]<br />2-door [[van]] | layout = [[FF layout]] | engine = 602&nbsp;cc [[flat-twin|flat-2]]<br />1015&nbsp;cc [[Flat-four engine|flat-4]] | related = [[Citroën 2CV]]<br />[[Citroën FAF]]<br />[[Citroën Dyane]]<br />[[Citroën M35]]<br />[[Citroën Méhari]] | width = {{convert|60|in|mm|0|abbr=on|disp=flip}}<ref name=Motor1962/> | length = Ami 6 – {{convert|3920|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}<br />Ami 6 Break – {{convert|3960|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}<br />Ami 8 Break – {{convert|3990|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|57|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=Motor1962/> | wheelbase = {{convert|2400|mm|in|1|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name=Motor1962/> | designer = [[Flaminio Bertoni]] }} The '''Citroën Ami''' is a four-door, [[front-wheel drive]] [[Economy car|economy]] ([[B-segment]]) [[family car]], manufactured and marketed by [[Citroën]] from 1961 to 1978. The Ami was offered in [[sedan (car)|saloon]] and [[station wagon|estate/wagon/break]] [[car body style|body style]]s over two generations, the Ami 6 and the Ami 8. The later Ami 8 [[fastback]] [[sedan (car)|saloon]] featured a steeply raked rear window, in contrast to the earlier reverse-raked rear window of the Ami 6 [[notchback]]. Over 1,840,396 units were manufactured over the entire production run.<ref name="ReferenceA">John Reynolds. Citroën 2CV. {{ISBN|978-1-84425-207-7}}</ref> The Ami and [[Citroën Dyane]] were replaced by the [[Citroën Visa]] and [[Citroën Axel]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citroenvisa.net/visa1.htm |title=Project VD and Project Y |publisher=Citroenvisa.net |access-date=2010-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723042655/http://www.citroenvisa.net/visa1.htm |archive-date=2011-07-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ==Name== Ami is the French word for friend. With its 602 cc engine capacity fractionally above the limit for 2 CV designation, the Ami was nicknamed the 3CV, differentiating it from the long established [[Citroën 2CV]]. 3CV stands for ''Trois chevaux'', or "three horses" &mdash; CV originally being the initials for "chevaux-vapeur" (horsepower &ndash; literally 'steam horses'), but used here for "[[Tax horsepower|chevaux fiscaux]]". The "cheval fiscal" was a French fiscal unit based on engine size with the smaller CV designating economy cars. ==Overview== [[File:AMI 6 1968.jpg|thumb|left|1968 Citroën Ami 6 (Rouge Corsaire)]] The Citroën Ami had its formal French launch on 25 April 1961,<ref name=Automobilia196201>{{cite journal| title =Automobilia| journal = Toutes les voitures françaises 1961 (Salon [Paris] 1960)| volume = 17| pages = 27–29|year = 2000|publisher=Histoire & collections|location=Paris }}</ref> four months ahead of the August introduction of the widely anticipated [[Renault 4]].<ref name=Automobilia196202>{{cite journal| title =Automobilia "Les premières photographes exclusives de la future petite Renault fut publiées par [[L'Auto-Journal]] le 15 juin 1958 et 1^er mai 1960" (''"The first exclusive photographs of the forthcoming small Renault were published by France's leading motor magazine on 15 June 1958 and 1 May 1960"'').| journal = Toutes les voitures françaises 1961 (Salon [Paris] 1960)| volume = 17| pages = 56–58|year = 2000|publisher=Histoire & collections|location=Paris }}</ref> Both the [[Renault 4]] and the Citroën Ami responded to a perceived market need for a vehicle slightly larger and less rustic than the 2CV. The Ami is a rebodied [[Citroën 2CV|2CV]] with certain mechanical upgrades (particularly a larger engine than the 1950s 2CV), to compensate for the added weight. At launch all the cars were powered by an air cooled 602&nbsp;cc two-cylinder [[flat engine]] which would also be offered at extra cost in the 2CV from 1970. The platform chassis and suspension is similar to the 2CV, being independent all round using leading and trailing arms and coil springs interconnected front to rear. For a detailed suspension description see [[Citroën 2CV]]. The Ami's seats were easily removable. Sales pitches of the Ami included photographs of the seats being used as picnic chairs. ==Technical innovation== The Ami and the [[Ford Taunus P3]] were the first cars with rectangular or lozenge-shaped (non-round) [[Headlamp|headlights]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motortrend.com/classic/features/1011_citroen_ami_6/ |title=Citroen Ami 6 |work=Motor Trend |date=15 September 2010 |access-date=31 March 2019}}</ref> This technical innovation was developed by lighting manufacturers Hella (Taunus) and Cibie (Ami). Soon this innovation found its way to the exclusive coach built [[Maserati 5000 GT]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z15305/Maserati-5000-GT.aspx|title=1962 Maserati 5000 GT}}</ref> ==Initial sales== [[File:MHV Citroen Ami 6 1964 02.jpg|thumb|left|Citroën Ami 6 Berline rear detail]] [[File:Citroën Ami 6 011.jpg|thumb|right|[[Dashboard]] and [[Stick shift|shift lever]] of Ami 6]] [[File:Ami6break.jpg|thumb|right|Citroën Ami 6 Break (estate) model]] [[File:Citroen Ami 8 February 1973 mfd 1972 602cc.jpg|right|thumb|Citroën Ami 8 front view]] [[File:Citroen Ami8-71.jpg|right|thumb|The Ami 8 featured a more conventionally positioned back window than the Ami 6 – like a [[fastback]]]] [[File:M 35 dos.jpg|thumb|The experimental [[Citroën M35]] was based on the Ami 8 but used a 995 cc single rotor [[Wankel engine]]|alt=]] The car went on sale in France in April 1961, though Citroën implemented some simple upgrades in time for the [[Paris Motor Show]] only six months later. The most visible change involved the replacement of the fixed windows on the rear doors with two-part horizontal sliding windows, similar to those already fitted on the front doors.<ref name=Automobilia1962>{{cite journal| title =Automobilia| journal = Toutes les voitures françaises 1962 (Salon Paris oct 1961)| volume = 19| page = 15|year = 2001|publisher=Histoire & collections|location=Paris }}</ref> Sales initially were not as good as those of the older 2CV; the Ami's first full year of production was 1962, during which only 85,358 of the cars were sold, while the thirteen-year-old 2CV managed 144,759 sales during the same period.<ref name=Automobilia1962/> Although the Ami had a modern body, it shared the aggressively minimalist underpinnings of the older car, and this made it hard to justify a starting price for the Ami which, at the end of 1961, was 35% higher.<ref name=Automobilia1962/> ==Versions== The 1961 '''Ami 6''' sedan is distinguished by an unusual reverse-raked [[notchback]] rear window, similar in style to the 1959 [[Ford Anglia|Ford Anglia 105E]] in [[Great Britain]]. A similar design feature was used on the first generation three-door [[Citroën C4]]. This design feature first appeared on the US 1953 [[Packard]] Balboa-X show car. It was first put into production on the 1957 [[Mercury Turnpike Cruiser]] and 1958-1960 [[Lincoln Continental]]s. In the American cars the rear window could be opened as an aid to ventilation before air conditioning became standardised, and in the American fashion was given a name, the "Breezeway Window". The later '''Ami 8''' saloon has a [[fastback]] rear window. It was redesigned by the French car design and bodywork company, [[Heuliez]]. Most notable changes were the front part and [[Hood (car)|bonnet]] and the sloping, rather than inverted, rear window on the saloon. The estate version of the '''Ami 8''', the 'Break' had a similar general appearance to that of the '''Ami 6''' although the later car's [[taillight]]s were integrated into the rear wings. The '''Ami Super''', sometimes also called '''Ami 10''', was a [[flat-4]] variant powered by the engine of the [[Citroën GS|GS]] and produced between 1973 and 1976. The Ami Super was offered in the same three trim levels as the Ami 8, Luxe, Confort and Club on Saloon and Luxe and Confort on the 'Break' versions. These trim differences were fairly minor with Luxe models having bench front and rear seats and vinyl floor matting. Confort trim offered reclining front seats in place of the front bench. The Club models can be considered the Pallas of the Ami range featured sound proofing pads on the floor and bulkhead, carpet including [[trunk (car)|boot]] lining, stainless steel trim on the window frames and side rubbing strips on the doors and rear wings. Club trim was only available up to the end of the 1973 model year, after that point Ami 8 and Ami super were only available in Luxe and Confort specification. From 1974 Ami super models were revamped to feature a double line graphic along the exterior of the body sides, either in black or silver depending on body colour, with slotted wheels and double line detailing on the hubcaps. The rear window also featured a graphic in white proclaiming "Ami Super 1015cm³" As the Ami Super looked very much like an Ami 8, and could surprise many by demonstrating its dramatic performance advantage compared to the Ami 8 (55&nbsp;hp compared to 32&nbsp;hp). Quoted by [[Autocar (magazine)|''Autocar'']] magazine in the UK as a "Q car par excellence" sadly in France its 5CV tax rating made little sense in a small car and as a result sales were low compared to the Ami 8. In the UK however where no such tax penalties existed the Ami Super attracted healthy sales although is now a rare sight due to poor corrosion resistance, a feature suffered by many vehicles of this era. The Ami Super production reached close to 42,000 in sedan and station wagon by February 1976. Production of the Ami 8 continued until early 1979 and reached in the region of 722,000 cars produced. A small series of prototype [[coupé]]s, the [[Citroën M35|M35]] were produced as test vehicles for loyal customers — testing the single-rotor [[Comotor]] [[Wankel engine]], as also seen in the [[NSU Spider]]. A twin-rotor version of this engine reached production form with the [[NSU Ro 80]] and [[Citroën GS|GS Birotor]]. ==Production== The Ami 6 was the first model manufactured at the [[PSA Rennes Plant|new Citroën plant]] in [[Rennes]] opened in 1961, where later the [[Citroën Dyane|Dyane]] and [[Citroën GS|GS]] were manufactured. *'''Spain''' The Ami 6 & Ami 8 were also built by Citroën Hispania in Vigo (Spain) from 1967 to 1978, but they were never called "Ami" because of a legal problem with that name. The equivalences with French-built models are: *Ami 6 berline: never built in Spain. *Ami 6 estate old model (M4 type engine): Citroën Estate 3cv. *Ami 6 estate new model (M28 type engine): Citroën Dynam. *Ami 8 berline: Citroën 8 or C-8. *Ami 8 estate: Citroën 8 Familiar (or just Citroën Familiar). *'''Yugoslavia''' Beside Spain, in Europe Ami was also built in Yugoslavia, in Slovenian factory [[Cimos]] where many other Citroën models were produced for the Yugoslav market.<ref name="pravilivozili">[http://ba.n1info.com/Auto/a74796/Proizvodnja-automobila-u-bivsoj-Jugoslaviji.html SFRJ četvorotočkaši: Šta su pravili i vozili Jugosloveni?] at ba.n1info.com, 23-12-2015</ref> *'''Argentina''' Out of Europe, the Ami 8 was made until 1978 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Only in the estate <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cocheargentino.com.ar/c/citroen.htm#ami8 |title=Citroën |publisher=Coche Argentino |date=2009-05-18 |access-date=2012-05-02}}</ref> version, with the "Club" & "Elysee" trims, was exported to Uruguay, Paraguay and in CKD kits to Arica, Chile from 1976 where it was assembled until it was shut down in favour of the production of the [[Citroën CX]] in early 1978. ==Performance== An Ami 6 tested by the British magazine ''[[The Motor (magazine)|The Motor]]'' in 1962 had a top speed of {{convert|65.3|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and could accelerate from 0-{{convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 30.3 seconds. A fuel consumption of {{convert|53|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus|abbr=on}} was recorded. The test car cost £823 including taxes on the UK market.<ref name=Motor1962>{{cite journal |title = The Citroen Ami 6| journal =[[The Motor (magazine)|The Motor]]| date = January 3, 1962}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" style="width:60%;" |- style="background:#e3e3e3" !'''Version''' !'''Engine''' !'''Power''' !'''Max speed''' |- ! style="text-align:center;"|Ami 6 (1961-1963) | style="text-align:center;"|602&nbsp;cc [[flat-2]] [[Air-cooled engine|air-cooled]] | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|22|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 4,500 rpm | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|65|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} |- !Ami 6 (1964-1968) | style="text-align:center;"|602&nbsp;cc [[flat-2]] [[Air-cooled engine|air-cooled]] | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|26|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 4,750 rpm | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|68|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} |- !Ami 6 (1968) | style="text-align:center;"|602&nbsp;cc [[flat-2]] [[Air-cooled engine|air-cooled]] | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|28|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 5,400 rpm | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|70|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} |- !Ami 6 (1969) | style="text-align:center;"|602&nbsp;cc [[flat-2]] [[Air-cooled engine|air-cooled]] | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|32|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 5,750 rpm | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|76|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} |- !Ami 8 | style="text-align:center;"|602&nbsp;cc [[flat-2]] [[Air-cooled engine|air-cooled]] | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|32|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 5,750 rpm | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|76|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} |- !Ami Super | style="text-align:center;"|1015&nbsp;cc [[flat-4]] [[Air-cooled engine|air-cooled]] | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|55|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 5,750 rpm | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|87|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} |- ![[Citroën M35|M35]] | style="text-align:center;"|Single rotor [[Wankel engine]] | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|49|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} at 5,500 rpm | style="text-align:center;"| {{convert|89|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} |} ==Model changes in detail== The following table summarises information to distinguish Ami Models. {| class="wikitable" |- !Years !image !type !Model Changes |- |1961 | |AM |Launch in April. |- |1962 | |AM |Sliding rear windows (one half only). |- |1963 |[[File:ami6 evolution.jpg|100px]] |AM |Version for export to the United States: double round headlights, front turn signals round, additional chrome bumpers, grille and stainless steel license plate closer. Engine 26&nbsp;hp instead of 22&nbsp;hp. Hydraulic dampers. Suspended Brake and clutch pedals. |- |Nov 1964 |[[File:ami6break.jpg|100px]] |AMB AMF AMC |Estate body type. New rear light units. |- |Oct 1967 |[[File:AMB-PA69.jpg|100px]] |AMBPA |Estate Club model. Twin round headlights. Improved finish. |- |May 1968 |[[File:Citroen Ami6 Break hi.JPG|100px]] |AM2 AMB2 |M28 engine of 32&nbsp;hp at 5,750 rpm. Double sliding front windows. Trapezoidal taillamps. |- |March 1969 |[[File:Citroen Ami8-71.jpg|100px]] |AM3 |The Ami 8 replaces the Ami 6. |- |July 1969 | |AMJA AMJB |The Ami 8 receives disc brakes on the front. The hydraulic system works with LHM fluid. |- |Sept 1969 |[[File:Citroen AM JB M18 1972.jpg|100px]] |AMB3 AMC3 |Ami 8 estate launched. |- |Jan 1973 |[[File:Citroën Ami Super Break.jpg|100px]] |AMJF AMJG AMJH |Launch of the Ami Super. |} ==Production figures and history== Total production of the Ami models (except M35) reached 1,840,121 units according to the manufacturer's data.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} It is divided between the models as follows: {| class="wikitable" |- ! Model !Ami 6 Berline/Saloon !Ami 6 Estate !Ami 6 Service Van !Ami 8 Berline/Saloon !Ami 8 Estate !Ami 8 Service Van !Ami Super Berline/Saloon !Ami Super Estate !Ami Super Service Van |- | Reference Code. | style="background:#fafea5;"| AM AM2 | style="background:#fafea5;"| AMB AM2B | style="background:#fafea5;"| AMC(2) AMF(2) | style="background:#bcfecd;"| AM3 | style="background:#bcfecd;"| AMB3 AMJB | style="background:#bcfecd;"| AMC3 AMJC | style="background:#8080ff;"| AMJF | style="background:#8080ff;"| AMJG | style="background:#8080ff;"| AMJH |- |Production | style="background:#fafea5;"| 483 986 | style="background:#fafea5;"| 551 880 | style="background:#fafea5;"| 3 518 | style="background:#bcfecd;"|342 743 | style="background:#bcfecd;"|386 582 | style="background:#bcfecd;"|26 630 | style="background:#8080ff;"| 24 797 | style="background:#8080ff;"| 19 222 | style="background:#8080ff;"| 801 |} {| class="wikitable" style=";" |- align="center" | style="background:#e2e2e2;"|'''Model''' | style="background:#e2e2e2;"|'''1961''' | style="background:#e2e2e2;"|'''1962''' | style="background:#e2e2e2;"|'''1963''' | style="background:#e2e2e2;"|'''1964''' | style="background:#e2e2e2;"|'''1965''' | style="background:#e2e2e2;"|'''1966''' | style="background:#e2e2e2;"|'''1967''' | style="background:#e2e2e2;"|'''1968''' | style="background:#e2e2e2;"|'''1969''' | style="background:#e2e2e2;"|'''1970''' | style="background:#e2e2e2;"|'''1971''' | style="background:#e2e2e2;"|'''1972''' | style="background:#e2e2e2;"|'''1973''' | style="background:#e2e2e2;"|'''1974- 78''' | style="background:#e2e2e2;"|'''Total''' |- |'''Ami 6<br>Ami 8<br>Ami Super''' | align="center" |19,010 | align="center" |85,358 | align="center" |106,224 | align="center" |121,819 | align="center" |158,067 | align="center" |180,085 | align="center" |169,390 | align="center" |145,102 | align="center" |163,182 | align="center" |124,962 | align="center" |105,018 | align="center" |96,716 | align="center" |107,339 | align="center" |258,124 | align="center" |'''1,840,396'''<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="Production numbers from Citroenet">{{cite web|title=Production numbers from Citroenet|url=http://www.citroenet.org.uk/passenger-cars/michelin/2cv/production.html|work=Citroën statistics|publisher=Citroenet.org|access-date=6 December 2012}}</ref> |} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{commons category}} *[http://www.citroenorigins.co.uk/en/cars/ami-6/ Citroen Ami 6 - Citroën Origins] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110911203046/http://www.ami6.com/en:start The Virtual Citroen Ami6 Garage] * [http://www.citroenet.org.uk/passenger-cars/michelin/ami/ami-8/ami8-1.html Ami 8 at Citroenet] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060202010132/http://www.citroenet.org.uk/passenger-cars/michelin/ami/ami-6/ami-6-01.html Ami 6 at Citroenet] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-G2lmWjXPs Ami Super 1970s period French motoring programme] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLCIkxHleBg 1960s Publicité Citroën Ami 6] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kzRisZ7VMw Citroën M35 prototype at Citromobile 2011] * [https://www.ina.fr/video/RXC01002381 Le dernier modèle de Citroën : l'Ami super] {{Early Citroën vehicles}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Citroen Ami}} [[Category:Citroën vehicles|Ami]] [[Category:Subcompact cars]] [[Category:Sedans]] [[Category:Station wagons]] [[Category:Vans]] [[Category:Cars powered by boxer engines]] [[Category:Cars introduced in 1961]] [[Category:Cars discontinued in 1978]] [[Category:1970s cars]]'