The Citroën Mehari - an new all-electric four-seat convertible - has been shown off at Geneva shortly before it goes on sale in France.
Described as being an "it car", Citroën says the e-Mehari is "stylish, confident, off-beat and even sassy," and is "designed to appeal to customers looking for an alternative vehicle with a positive outlook on life, attentive to trends and to the environment."
While similar in overall design to the Cactus M concept car launched at the Frankfurt motor show in September, the e-Mehari features an open-top design with muscular SUV-like bodywork. The ribbed sides are a nod to the original Mehari.
The e-Mehari uses a folding soft-top roof, which Citroën says can be used to cover the front, rear, sides or the whole vehicle. The rear bench can also be folded away for extra storage space.
The body of the e-Mehari is made from thermoformed plastic and will be available in a range of radical colours - including different paint schemes for the roof. The car can be hosed down inside and out.
Power for the e-Mehari is drawn from lithium metal polymer batteries, giving the e-Mehari a range of 124 miles in the city and a top speed of 68mph. Recharging takes eight hours through a charging station, or 13 hours by a domestic supply.
The e-Mehari will be built at PSA Peugeot-Citroën's plant in Rennes. The original car was sold as a 4x4 between 1979 and 1983.
Citroën was known to have been assessing reaction to a convertible version of the C4 Cactus with the Cactus M concept, and such a model is still understood to be part of the company's plans. Autocar revealed back in September that Citroën had applied for a trademark for the e-Mehari name, suggesting a successor to the iconic original was planned.
Citroën has confirmed there are currently no plans to bring the e-Mehari to this country.
Read more:
Citroën's Mehari and other go-anywhere open-tops from £1500 - used car buying guide
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Tragic
I thought the Cactus brand values were about innovative design. Don't go and ruin all the goodwill by reskinning someone else's car! It's a similar brand dilution as the the CityRover I fear, and that didn't end well. Ok, so people in the UK won't know Bollore, but surely the French will, and they'll see through it.
I really thought with the Catcus idea Citroen might have been on to something, in the same way that the Fiat 500 is cheap but cool. I really hope that such a historic marque doesn't mess this chance up.
Not a Cactus
This has got nothing to do with the Cactus, bar the similar LEDs. So no worries about ruining the Cactus' brand. I think this is a fun and different alternative to a Renault Twizy, and the Bollore models in France are highly regarded in cities. I think this just shows how dreadful the convertible Bollore looks in comparison.
I'd prefer a Cactus
Nothing is really ever new.
The styling of this thing reminds me of the original Toyota RAV4
RAV4
peterover wrote: Nothing is
Me too. Wonder if anyone will fill that niche again...