The various marketing teams at Stellantis have been hard at work with their designers ahead of the summer break – and the inevitable surge in new EV sales that will happen when the number plates change to '73' in September. For the Citroen Ami, that means getting a rather special gold wrap and, for Vauxhall, it means celebratory murals in London and Manchester. Vauxhall are looking to celebrate the brand's long standing connection with British heritage, while the gold Ami wants to be seen as the ‘Inner City Supercar'. Have they succeeded?
Yesterday, the streets of London witnessed an electrifying spectacle as the distinctive gold-wrapped Citroen Ami 100% Electric made its mark among the city's iconic supercars. This eye-catching masterpiece dared to challenge the extravagant supercar scene, proving that style and sustainability can coexist harmoniously. Parked alongside some of the most coveted and high-priced supercars in the world, the Ami looked to steal the limelight with its own brand of unique charm.
This one-of-a-kind gold Ami 100% Electric is currently engaged in the #AmiOnTour, which began Friday 18th in London and continues at selected locations country-wide:-
- Monday 21st August at Queens Square in Bristol
- Wednesday 23rd August in Churchill Way, Cardiff
- Friday 25th August in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester
- Wednesday 30th August on Church Street in Liverpool
- Friday 1st September in Northumberland Street, Newcastle
- Ending on Monday 4th September in Castle Street, Edinburgh
As well as giving folks the opportunity to this amazingly little electric car vehicle, there will also be a chance to scan a special QR Code for a chance to win an Ami for yourself.
We loved the Ami concept when we reviewed it in simple grey. The small 5.4kWh battery can be recharged with a regular plug in less than 4 hours, it has a range of close to 46 miles and can pick up speeding tickets all over London – when you floor the Ami at close to 28 mph.
To add its own splash of colour to this otherwise unremarkable summer, Vauxhall has commissioned renowned British artist Iain Macarthur to unveil two captivating murals in London and Manchester, celebrating the launch of the Astra Electric. The murals, designed to reflect the dynamic spirit of the Astra Electric and Vauxhall's dedication to British design, will be on display until 27th August 2023.
They are located in Shoreditch, London and the Northern Quarter in Manchester – and the idea is that they are meant to capture the essence of the Astra Electric's high-performance capabilities – as well as its ‘Bold and Pure' design language. These murals feature Iain Macarthur's distinct surrealist style, incorporating patterns that simulate electricity and resonate with Vauxhall's design ethos. Vauxhall says that this approach was pivotal in securing the Astra Electric a prestigious Product Design award at this year's Red Dot Award international design competition.
Macarthur told media, “I aimed to encapsulate the energy of the Astra by infusing patterns reminiscent of electricity into the design – a visually striking representation aligned with Vauxhall's bold and pure design language. Collaborating with Vauxhall was an exciting endeavour, given the creative freedom they granted me to articulate my vision of clean energy aesthetics”.
Seems that Stellantis has gone QR crazy, as the murals also incorporate codes that can be scanned to reveal ‘Astra secrets'.
The car itself uses the improved battery/powertrain combo that we're seeing across the board from refreshed Stellantis vehicles. The improved 54kWh battery gives you up to 258 miles of WLTP and the 156 bhp motor should see you hit 60mph in less than 8.5 seconds – onto a top speed of 106mph. Fast charging is limited to 100kW DC, which is respectable enough – but we're hoping to see that number improve with the (true) next generation of Stellantis vehicles in the very near future.
What sets these murals apart is their interactive aspect. Scannable QR codes integrated into the artwork allow the public to explore the Astra Electric through augmented reality at www.vauxhall-mural-ar.com. This immersive experience offers an engaging way to interact with the vehicle and its eco-friendly attributes.
The Astra Electric embodies Vauxhall's forward-thinking approach, boasting a next-gen 54kWh battery and a 115kW (156hp) electric motor, delivering up to 258 miles of range (WLTP) on a single charge. In alignment with the brand's electrification commitment, Vauxhall intends to offer fully-electric versions of all cars and vans by 2024, ultimately transitioning to an all-electric brand by 2028.
James Taylor, Managing Director of Vauxhall, remarked, “This mural not only commemorates the launch of the captivating Astra Electric but also celebrates our Bold and Pure design philosophy, rooted in the best of British art and innovation. I'm excited to witness Iain's work in person and extend gratitude for his contribution to a public spectacle gracing the streets of London and Manchester”.