ESSAY. Fiat Topolino, the beautiful Italian cousin of the Citroen AMI

Fiat is launching its unlicensed electric minivan, the Topolino, on the French market, the Italian version of Citroën AMI, both brands being part of the Stellantis group. A lovely new envelope for this small city car.

A beautiful face and a more compact format: Fiat is launching its small Topolino at the beginning of spring.

AMI’s beautiful Italian cousin

In terms of exterior design and more than the general shape, it is difficult to recognize its cousin from the Stellantis group, Citroën AMI, the star of unlicensed electric cars. A successful change for this Italian version, especially in this pistachio green “Verde Vita”, the only color offered at launch.

Fiat clearly plays with the retro spirit of the 50s and 60s, for example with these round headlights and beautiful hubcaps.

The lower part turns out to be completely different from the Citroën, without a similar body panel. Topolino, however, retains the original door system, with the opportunity to resist the driver’s door, the usual opening for the passenger door. Interest: producing only one type of door in the Kénitra factory in Morocco where AMI, Topolino, but also Opel Rocks-e (not sold in France) are assembled.

In terms of specifications, we keep this side very practical. The Topolino is slightly longer than the AMI, at 2.53 meters, or 12 centimeters longer than the Citroën.

We will also see a front face that is completely different from the back, unlike the AMI which is more symmetrical.

Finally, a nice little detail, the rear luggage compartment that allows you to attach a suitcase that came with our test model, with its color matching the bodywork and the big Fiat logo. It is enough to compensate for the absence of a trunk in this small city car.

Alternatively and for the same price of 9,890 euros, you can also choose the Dolcevita version. It lives up to its name because it is better to use it in the hot sun: you really lose the doors replaced by a simple rope. And instead of a glass roof, a canvas that can be folded by hand and which looks very close to what we had on the smaller version of the AMI Buggy.

Very similar interior

Inside, the differences are not so noticeable, but we still have this small storage space, the “Dolce Vita Box” with a beautiful line design. It is not very practical, but at least it is beautiful and decorative, visible from the outside, which adds a little character.

Otherwise we get a general AMI setup, with the switch from front to reverse moved back to center compared to the first versions. The whole thing remains very minimalist with three buttons, for ventilation and heating, defogging (noisy but without real effectiveness) and warnings. Our test model didn’t even have a smartphone holder and add-on accessory.

On the screen, the main information: remaining freedom, speed and mileage. There is only one switch on the left side of the steering wheel, for the windshield wipers and the horn. And there is no lighting adjustment, which comes automatically when you turn on the ignition.

Not surprisingly, we also retain some of the weak points of AMI: the key to open the doors (there is no central opening) and another one to switch the ignition, surprisingly. Or a charging cable placed behind the passenger door, but without a direct reel … Even a vacuum cleaner is more effective at this point!

Very basic operation

So, as we expected, the ride in the Topolino will be as uncomfortable as the ride in the Citroen Ami. Sure, you feel safer than on a motorcycle, but it’s still noisy and has a lot of vibrations and very little comfort. Especially when you are used to a “licensed” car.

With many windows, the view remains beautiful. On the other hand, very small exterior mirrors and the absence of an interior mirror.

Acceleration remains quite good with the engine of 6 kW (8.15 horsepower), but the speed remains of course 45 km / h. We also remind you that these vehicles without a license cannot use expressways such as the ring road in Paris.

The battery has a capacity of 5.4 kWh, which is almost 5 times less than that of the Dacia Spring. But with less than 500 kg empty, freedom is still shown for 75 km. But with such Spartan comfort, it is difficult to imagine driving more on a single charge.

Italian Design Prize

According to the price, this Topolino is sold for 9,890 euros. This represents 1,900 euros more than the entry-level Citroën AMI.

But Topolino can appeal to the LLD offer of 59 euros per month, or just under 2,200 euros for 3 years, excluding insurance. The first tax of 900 euros is paid in full and the ecological bonus for cars without an electric license, of the same amount.