Now this probably won't be to all tastes. The Citroen e-Mehari is not especially fast (top speed is just 68mph), doesn't look like it will handle that well and is being offered solely with electric power. But we think it deserves some exposure because it shows Citroen being Citroen; it's a little quirky, very original and just a bit weird. As the motoring world seems to head towards uniformity, this stands out as something wilfully different. Good!
It has been designed, in case you hadn't guessed, to evoke the original Mehari from 1968. Both are four seat off-road, er, things with a convertible roof and big windows. Thermoformed plastic is used for the construction which means it won't corrode (perfect for when you want to hose it down) and we're told the paintwork is maintenance free too. The colours for that paintwork mimic the original car with blue, orange, yellow and 'elegant beige' available. The roof is offered in black or orange-red and the interior colours are between beige and orange red, with all the interior fabric entirely waterproof. Beige with a red interior perhaps?
The e-Mehari's powertrain is interesting, as it's powered by Lithium Metal Polymer (LMP) batteries. Developed with France's Bollore Group, they are 'dry batteries' and claimed to be unaffected by any changes in weather. Power is rated at 50kW (68hp) with an urban range of 200km (124 miles).
Citroen says this is a 'smiling front end'
Now while Citroen wants to convince you of the 'freedom and relaxation' of the e-Mehari, how it allows you to combine the 'joys of open-top driving with the acceleration, ease, and silence of an electric vehicle', there is a problem: it still takes quite a while to charge. Even at a 16A plug found at public charging points, the e-Mehari needs eight hours for a full charge. On a domestic 10A supply it will need 13 hours. But then if that range can be replicated in the real world, would you ever really need to be doing more than 100 miles in a day?
The e-Mehari is being exhibited by Citroen at the PSA headquarters in Paris from today until December 11. It will launch in France next spring, with no plans currently to sell it over here. Please Citroen, just a few. Imagine seeing this cruise silently down a high street; the local Twizy owners would die of jealousy.
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