When Citroën presented its Ami, a few weeks before the 2020 confinement, the brand wanted to make a big splash in the segment of cars without a license. Their weapon: a 100% electric cart, certainly Spartan, but at prices never seen before: 6,990 euros in cash, or outright 19.99 euros per month for rental.
It was a success, with 48,000 orders since its launch. The Stellantis group, always eager for success at a lower cost, has therefore declined the Citroën Ami at Opel, where it is called the Rocks-e (only available in Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands)… and therefore arrives at Fiat , with this cute Topolino, unveiled in July 2023 (where we were).
If the plastic differs from the French and the German, what about the driving? To find out, we went to try it in Paris. Here’s what we thought about it.
Technical sheet
| Model | Fiat Topolino |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 2.41m x 1.36m x 1.52m |
| Power (horsepower) | 8 horses |
| Level of autonomy | Manual driving (level 0) |
| Maximum speed | 45 km/h |
| Car side socket | Type 1 |
Product sheet |
This test was carried out as part of an event organized by the brand.
Design: an absolutely cute line
What is surprising about this Topolino is that it manages to have different body panels from the Citroën Ami, something refused to the Opel Rocks-e. Fiat is Stellantis’ number 1 brand in the world, perhaps it has the right to do things refused to others…
In short, let’s focus on the result. To say that people like this Fiat Topolino is an understatement: it’s impossible to count the number of smiles, outstretched fingers and thumbs in the air during our short Parisian getaway behind the wheel. The Fiat style has decided to go retro, with two pairs of round headlights at the front, like the legendary Fiat 500 of the 1950s.
Combine this with oblong rear lights, again in the continuity of the ancestor, adorable wheel covers, “chrome” inserts on the shields and mirrors, a luggage rack at the rear and this “Verde Vita”deliciously vintage, to obtain an incredibly refreshing cocktail.
Fiat Topolino // Source: Jean-Baptiste Passieux – Frandroid
Fiat Topolino // Source: Jean-Baptiste Passieux – Frandroid
The dimensions, on the other hand, remain identical to those of the Citroën Ami: count 2,535 m long, 1,400 m wide and 1,530 m high.
Interior: Spartan, but appreciable details
By opening the doors (identical, therefore “classic” opening on the passenger side and forward on the driver’s side), we realize that the spartan interior of the Citroën Ami has almost been taken over piece by piece.
We therefore find the two hollowed out seats, with the passenger shifted towards the rear to maximize shoulder space for the two occupants, and a more than basic dashboard. Facing the driver, a foam steering wheel and a small counter indicating the minimum: speed, remaining autonomy, (approximate) battery status gauge, a few lights and that’s it.
The functionalities boil down to a plate including a small strip on which to attach a clip to attach your smartphone, as well as a USB-C socket and six buttons. Three to choose the gear (forward/reverse/neutral, which were not there on the first Ami), joined by warnings, ventilation and defogging.
Fiat Topolino // Source: Jean-Baptiste Passieux – Frandroid
Fiat Topolino // Source: Jean-Baptiste Passieux – Frandroid
Said like this, one might believe that the atmosphere is far from warm, but small details make life more pleasant. The white upholstery (with turquoise stitching) and white plastics add a bit of cheerfulness, while the glass roof and generous glazing allow, at the same time, maximum light.
We should also talk about the “Dolcevita box”, this sort of sausage that runs along the dashboard… which turns out to be a storage space, closable with pressure. The design and patterns are pleasant, and it allows you to put some objects out of sight.
Fiat Topolino // Source: Jean-Baptiste Passieux – Frandroid
Fiat Topolino // Source: Jean-Baptiste Passieux – Frandroid
Fiat Topolino // Source: Jean-Baptiste Passieux – Frandroid
Generally speaking, the space on board this little Topolino is quite impressive. Two adults can fit easily, while this “Dolcevita box”, combined with the door panels and the space in front of the passenger, allows for up to 64 liters of storage. Not to mention that you can easily slide jackets or bags behind the seats. In short, the space is optimized to say the least.
Driving: same causes, same consequences
The theory…
Let’s move past that adorable plastic and dive into the tech. On this chapter, the Fiat Topolino does not innovate in any way and takes the technical sheet of the Citroën Ami to the letter.
We are therefore faced with a light quadricycle without a license (category L6, for short) powered by a 48 volt motor at the front of 6 kW (a little more than 8 hp) and 44 Nm of torque, enough to take it to 45 km/h in 10 seconds. Neither motorway, nor expressways, nor ring road on the program, therefore. But it is possible to drive it from the age of 14, with an AM license.
Battery ? 7 kWh of capacity, including 5.4 kWh actually usable. The autonomy according to the WMTC standard, reserved for scooters and quadricycles, is announced at 75 km on one charge.
This reduced capacity still allows for rapid charging: allow less than four hours for a complete recharge from a 2.3 kW domestic socket, present directly in the Topolino (a bit like a vacuum cleaner, the winder less).
A true copy of the Citroën Ami technical sheet, and the rest follows, with an absolutely identical tubular chassis and ground connections. At least in theory.
…and practice
Something that came together perfectly in practice during our Parisian excursion. If the performance is more than sufficient to navigate the capital’s traffic, we can only note the firmness of the suspensions of the little Topolino – an observation that the seats, which are very poorly padded, cannot really save.
Which is not necessarily a problem: the Fiat without a license is designed for short journeys, which turn out to be perfectly playable despite the relative comfort. What’s a little more annoying is visibility: the mirrors are tiny, and you shouldn’t hesitate to turn your head to see what’s behind you.
Another problem: as the seats are extremely far back in the passenger compartment, it is sometimes difficult to see what is a little high up, and the glass roof cannot solve everything. In fact, we quite frequently find ourselves contorting ourselves to see if the red light is still red.
A few oddities should be noted: the Topolino (like the Ami) has two keys (one to unlock, one to start), there is no central locking, and no return indicator either; in other words, it will continue to be engaged, even after you put the steering wheel straight again.
The fact remains that the journeys are made with complete ease. The agility of the Topolino also allows you to get around almost everywhere, and the absence of power steering is not very serious, given the beast’s 487 kg empty weight.
Price, competition and availability: the surprise of rental
The Fiat Topolino’s biggest competitor is of course the Citroën Ami. To stand out, Fiat’s marketing teams tried another approach.
Thus, when the Citroën is available in different versions, including one stripped of all styling elements (wheel covers, stickers, colored storage compartments) at 7,990 euros (excluding bonus of 900 euros), Fiat only offers one and unique version of its Topolino, priced at 9,890 euros (excluding bonuses).
Of course, it’s a difference of 1,900 euros, but Fiat offers a better equipped version (with all the necessary quotation marks); to achieve such a presentation on the Ami, it would be necessary to at least go for the higher finish at 8,390 euros excluding bonus (knowing that the range goes up to 9,190 euros excluding bonus).
The gap is reduced, therefore, and even more so when we switch to long-term rental (LDD). Fiat is therefore offering its Topolino at 58.90 euros per month over 36 months and 15,000 km (or 5,000 km per year) without contribution. If the Friend starts at 19.99 euros per month, it is over 48 months, over 10,000 km per year… and with a substantial contribution of 3,591 euros.
If we remove the contribution and go to 36 months (still over 10,000 km per year, the minimum mileage at Citroën), we then navigate between 95.23 euros and 115.75 euros depending on the finishes of the Ami. By going 10,000 km/year, the Fiat “settles” for 107.44 euros per month, still without contribution.
Oh, and a “Dolcevita” version, removing the doors and replacing the glass roof with a canvas, is available at the same price. Perfect for a beach car.
Competition? Fiat obviously mentions 50 cm³ scooters, whether thermal or electric, certainly more economical, but less safe and less practical. As for other cars without a license (Ligier or Aixam type), they almost systematically cost more than 10,000 euros for thermal vehicles, without even mentioning electric ones, in another dimension, like the Ligier Myli.