BONJOUR, MON AMI!

FRENCH bosses have said ‘Oui!’ to a revolutionary new electric city car costing from just £5,000 being sold in the uK following ‘unprecedented’ demand from British motorists. Citroen chiefs gave the green light to their quirky two-seater AMI runaround crossing the Channel after receiving more than 12,000 expressions of interest from potential British customers.

So proud is the firm about exporting it to postBrexit Britain from next spring that they have adorned one model in a bright union Flag.

Powered by a 5.5 kWh battery, the pure electric vehicle with zero emissions has a top speed of 28 mph and a range of up to 46 miles. It recharges in just three hours.

The AMI will be adapted for the uK market, but only in lefthand drive. More than 12,000 customers who previously registered their interest on the firm’s website will be given priority to secure one with a £250 refundable reservation fee. From Monday the reservation system will be open to all.

Final prices have yet to be announced, but are expected to be between £5,000 and £6,000. Car share and rental options are also being explored.

Legally, the AMI is classified as a ‘light quadricycle’ like the Renault Twizy, and can be driven at age 16 across most of Europe and as young as 14 in France. But uK drivers must be 17 and hold a full uK driving licence.

It is exempt from Congestion and ultra Low Emissions Zone (ulez) charges, including London’s which will soon extend.

Cleverly thought out, if quite basic, most of the car is sculpted plastic over a metal frame. At only 2.41m long with a wheel at each corner, a tiny turning circle of just 7.2m makes it ideal for navigating busy streets and parking in tight spaces.

In a nostalgic nod to the Citroen 2CV, the manual side windows can be opened by flipping the glass upwards into a fixed, raised position. Buyers can also personalise their AMIs using colourful accessory packs.