The Type-Ami is arguably the coolest heavy quadricycle you can buy, featuring a redesigned exterior inspired by the iconic Citroen HY van
February 3, 2025 at 13:10
- Italian coachbuilder Caselani has created a new conversion kit for the Citroen Ami.
- The Type-Ami looks like a miniature version of the Citroen HY van from 1947.
- The EV is priced at €13,000 ($13,400), while the fiberglass kit costs €5,000 ($5,200).
The Citroen Ami is getting a fresh look for 2025, but for those who want a bit more character, and specifically, a retro twist, there’s now the Type-Ami. This conversion kit, crafted by Italian coachbuilder Caselani in collaboration with the Citroen Style Center, transforms the tiny EV into something that feels like it rolled straight out of a post-war French countryside.
The man behind the design, David Obendorfer, has a track record of reimagining classic Citroens—not to mention some other proposals that never materialized, like the Mercedes-Benz Icon E W115 and BMW CS Vintage tributes.
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He’s the same designer responsible for the Type H and Fourgonnette van conversions, which modernized the Citroen Jumper, Jumpy, SpaceTourer, and Berlingo while keeping their old-school charm intact. Like those models, the Type-Ami takes inspiration from the Citroen Type H (HY), a popular utility van that was produced from 1947 to 1981.
A Nostalgic Makeover
The transformation is achieved with a set of fiberglass body panels that mimic the distinctive corrugated metal of the original Type H. The kit comes with all the necessary brackets and screws for installation while keeping the donor car’s greenhouse, door mechanisms, and lighting units unchanged. Buyers can choose from nine standard colors, but Caselani will also offer custom paint matching for those who want something more unique.
According to Obendorfer, originally, the Type-Ami was intended as a one-off project for Fabrizio Caselani, the company’s founder. However, after showing off the first running prototypes at the 24-hour Citroen 2CV race in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, the decision was made to offer it as a commercial product.
To ensure the design stayed faithful to Citroen’s vision, the final version was refined with input from a dedicated team at the Citroen Style Center, giving it an official nod of approval from the French automaker.
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While the exterior gets a full makeover, everything else remains unchanged. The Type-Ami retains its 8-hp (6 kW / 8 PS) electric motor and 5.5-kWh lithium-ion battery. With a top speed limited to 28 mph (45 km/h), it’s classified as a heavy quadricycle, meaning that in Europe, even 14-year-olds can get behind the wheel, just like with the closely related Fiat Topolino and Opel Rocks Electric.
The Type-Ami will make its public debut at the Retromobile show in Paris on February 5. Pre-orders are already open, with prices starting at €13,000 ($13,400). For existing Citroën Ami owners who want to upgrade their ride, the conversion kit alone costs around €5,000 ($5,200).
