The Citroen H-Type vans launched in the post-war French era have virtually stayed the same for over three decades. Those corrugated sides of this peculiar yet charming vehicle have not changed all these years which makes it a charming retro vehicle for purists. Now, the Italian coachbuilder Caselani has adapted that unforgettable classic vibe for the Citroen Ami with an aftermarket kit that converts it into a mini HY van, quite literally!
This kit designed in collaboration with Citroen Style Center converts the EV into a four-wheeler that looks straight out of the French countryside. Inhouse designer David Obendorfer has revamped quite a few classic (including Jumper, Jumpy, SpaceTourer, and Berlingo) and cars from other major manufacturers like Mercedes and BMW in the past. This one is no different, retaining the old-school charm while making it practical enough for EV configuration.
Designer:
The kit consists of fiberglass body panels that replicate the corrugated look of the classic vehicle. Caselani calls it the Type-Ami and we couldn’t agree more as the vehicle gets that iconic circular front and rear lights. The huge vertical grille section with the big Citroen chevrons is sure to grab anybody’s attention. No changes have been made to the donor car’s drivetrain or engine, nor have any of the door mechanisms or lighting been replaced. The aftermarket kit comes with brackets and screws to make installation an achievable task for even amateur DIY’ers. Best of all the conversion doesn’t add any curb weight to the donor vehicle as the panels are lightweight.
The 6kWh electric motor and the 5.4 kWh battery pack combine to have nearly the same top speed and range of 28 mph and 46 miles respectively. Primarily the car is created to be a two-seater city commuter or a cargo van for any kind of light hauling requirements. Obendorfer revealed that Citroen Type-Ami was initially just a one-off build for the company’s founder Fabrizio Caselani. When the prototype was completed and showed off at the 24-hour Citroen 2CV race in Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, plans took a turn for good. Seeing the viability of this aftermarket kit and the prospect of interested buyers, the decision moved in favor of making it a commercially available kit conversion for proud Citroen Ami owners. Caselani will offer the complete converted version for approximately $14,400, or if you happen to have the Ami it’s a good decision to go for the $5,200 conversion kit.
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