Citroën has partnered with surf brand Rip Curl to launch two limited-run editions of its Ami electric city car: Sunrise and Sunset. The Sunrise model is finished in bright yellow, while the Sunset has a distinctive lilac finish. Deliveries of the Sunrise edition are set to begin in June 2026, with the Sunset following in August, the manufacturer says. Presse-citron reports a production cap of 1,600 vehicles for the special series, making the editions a scarce, design-led variation rather than a new mechanical version.
Underneath the bold exterior, the Ami Rip Curl remains technically unchanged. Its electric motor produces about 6 kW, or roughly 8 hp, and the vehicle is limited to 45 km/h. The battery is in the 6 kWh class, with a claimed range of up to 75 kilometers on a single charge. Recharging takes about four hours from a standard household socket. At approximately 2.46 meters long, the Ami is designed for tight urban spaces. It is a two-seat light electric quadricycle, not a conventional passenger car.
Surf-Inspired Design
The Rip Curl editions stand out from the standard Ami. Both feature a black base color with wave-inspired graphics and yellow or lilac details along the bodywork. The front logo matches the car’s color, while a small rear spoiler adds a sporty touch. White 14-inch wheels complete the look.
Inside, the color theme continues. Storage compartments and door nets match each variant’s palette, as do the other interior elements. A 5.7-inch color display sits behind the steering wheel, adding a contemporary touch to the minimalist cabin. The result is a functional interior with details that distinguish the editions.
Minimalism With Comfort
The Ami’s design philosophy centers on simplicity. The door opens via a button, and a fabric strap replaces the traditional handle. The seats offer more support than might be expected in such a compact vehicle. A panoramic roof lets natural light into the cabin, making it feel more open and airy.
The passenger footwell includes a small storage compartment, an unusual feature that provides space for personal items on short city trips. The Ami has no conventional boot, so its compact cabin and passenger-side storage are part of a deliberately space-conscious layout.
Urban Focus and Broader Context
With its limited top speed and claimed range, the Ami Rip Curl is aimed at short urban journeys. Its eligibility for drivers as young as 15, combined with its compact size and ease of use, makes it an option for young drivers and other city users, including teenagers and students. Licensing rules vary by country; in Germany, the Ami can generally be driven from age 15 with an AM licence. The Rip Curl collaboration adds personality and lifestyle appeal to a vehicle focused on utility.
The Ami and its close relative, the Fiat Topolino, fall within Europe’s L6e light-quadricycle category. That classification brings a 45 km/h speed ceiling and a limit of around 6 kW of continuous electric power, distinguishing them from conventional M1 passenger cars and shaping their road use. The result is a vehicle suited to local trips, not motorways or efficient long-distance travel. Its roughly 7.2-meter turning circle and narrow footprint further underline its city-oriented role.
For those comparing trends in compact electrics and hybrids, the Ami’s emphasis on design and urban practicality offers a different proposition from larger plug-in SUVs. Recent head-to-heads, such as the Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Santa Fe comparison, highlight how the market is diversifying to meet a range of urban and family needs.
Citroën’s move reflects a broader shift in the European car market, where style and accessibility are becoming as impressive as technical specifications. The Ami Rip Curl editions do not change the car’s performance: their appeal lies in surf-inspired graphics and color choices, with the reported 1,600-unit production limit adding scarcity. They retain the base Ami’s low-speed urban operating envelope.
