Future Citroën C1: we imagined the missing link between the Ami and the C3

The European automotive industry is holding its breath. All eyes are currently on the European Commission, which is set to make decisive rulings on December 10th regarding the future of urban mobility and, specifically, the potential creation of a new category of accessible cars. Amidst this anticipation and industrial shift,we  has pondered a fundamental question: what could Citroën’s answer to these new challenges look like?

Building on the brand's legacy of audacity, we have deeply reflected on what a new Citroën C1 could be. Far from being a mere styling exercise, our approach aims to conceptualize the ideal vehicle to fill the void between the Ami quadricycle and the versatile C3. Here is our proposal: a clever, economical city car that is perfectly rooted in Citroën's DNA.

A strategic position between Ami and C3

To outline this hypothetical C1, we started with a pragmatic observation of the current lineup. On one side, we have the Citroën Ami, a commercial success that revolutionized micro-mobility but remains limited by its quadricycle status (speed caps, strictly urban range, no highway access). On the other, the new Citroën C3, which, while highly competitive, offers the dimensions and pricing of a fully-fledged B-segment car.

There is, therefore, an unoccupied space for customers finding the Ami insufficient for mixed use, yet finding the C3 either too large for tight urban parking or too expensive for a second household car. The new C3 starts around €21,000 for the hybrid version and will dip under €15,000 for the electric version (subsidies deducted). Our C1 proposal fits precisely in this gap.

To achieve this synthesis, we envisioned a vehicle borrowing the best of both worlds:

• From the Ami, we kept the philosophy of industrial ingenuity and symmetry. To drastically reduce manufacturing costs, our concept revolves around a central axis at the B-pillar (between the front and rear doors). This symmetry allows the front fascia to be identical to the rear, minimizing the tooling required.

• From the C3, we adopted the technical foundation. Our concept relies on the Smart Car platform, a modern architecture designed to offer affordable vehicles without sacrificing safety or comfort.

The result is a car with a contained length of 3.50 meters. This size provides surprising interior space while maintaining a small footprint—a key asset for navigating and parking in increasingly congested city centers.

Smart design: symmetry and customization

While this vision of a future C1 remains a proposal from our editorial team based on no official leaks, it rests on credible industrial logic. For the design and structure, we sought to maximize visual impact while minimizing production costs—an equation Citroën historically solves better than anyone.

We imagined a visible structural frame, similar to what Smart offered on its original Fortwo. In our concept, this visible structure becomes a major design element, bearing the vehicle's contrasting color. This would maintain the customization options beloved by the brand's customers without multiplying complex painted part references.

Regarding the bodywork, the Ami's logic is pushed to its peak. The panels would be made of mold-in-color plastic. This technical choice offers two major advantages: increased resistance to minor urban bumps (no paint to chip) and significant production cost reductions. In our vision, the fenders, hood, bumpers, headlights, and doors are strictly identical and interchangeable.

Aesthetically, we anchored this C1 in the brand's new design language. We incorporated the principle of verticality and horizontality found in the latest models. Vertical headlamps are connected by a horizontal black grille integrating the new oval brand logo. It is a design intended to be robust, friendly, and immediately identifiable.

Towards accessible and habitable mobility

In conclusion, while it is difficult to predict the exact details of the future accessible car category that Europe may define, this styling exercise demonstrates that a path exists for Citroën.

Our proposal takes into account economic realities and available technical information. By combining the compact 3.50m format, the expertise acquired from the Ami regarding symmetry and reduced part counts, and the versatility of the Smart Car platform, Citroën could offer a unique solution. Imagine a new hybrid C1, offered under €15,000, capable of leaving the city thanks to its powertrain, while being spacious and not stripped down. A car that wouldn't be a "cheap" version, but an "essential" and clever automobile, faithful to Citroën's mission of making mobility accessible to all.