SIX DECADES OF CITROËN'S AMI 6

Citroën is celebrating 60 years of the iconic AMI 6, which was first revealed on 24th April 1961. With its compact dimensions and spacious interior, the vehicle went on to be a great success for the brand with over one million models sold, half of which were the capacious estate version that arrived in 1964.

At launch, the new AMI 6 completed Citroën’s vehicle line up, joining the iconic 2CV, ID and DS models. It presented a shape and style that many perceived as surprising in the automotive sector at the time, but designer Flaminio Bertoni described the car to his friends and family as his masterpiece. For AMI 6, Bertoni had the bold idea of inverting the rear window, meaning that it would remain clear when it rained. It also allowed for a well-proportioned boot with a traditional boot lid and spacious rear seats, whilst retaining compact dimensions.

AMI 6 had a two-cylinder 602cc engine capable of 22hp at 4500rpm, the same as seen in the 2CV. In a first at the time, the car also had large rectangular headlights. The model displayed a strong character, with a sloping bonnet, the pagoda-style roof and panels highlighted with clearly embossed lines – some onlookers even described the car as being in a 'baroque style.'

The interior was inspired directly by that of the iconic DS, and from its single-spoke steering wheel and stylish door handles to its dashboard controls and seats, everything indicated that the model was a top- of-therange Citroën. The on-road handling and compliant ride inherited from the famous suspension setup of the 2CV was received positively by customers and the press.

In late 1964, a small estate version with a 320kg payload arrived. This would go on to overtake the saloon in terms of popularity, something that has rarely happened in automotive history. The design of the estate version offered a great amount of space for a leisure vehicle in this category, along with easy and convenient accessibility. It was a versatile model, providing just as much comfort to a family travelling on a trip as it would to a professional using the car for business needs. In 1966, AMI 6 was named as France's favourite car of the year.

Production of the saloon ended in March 1969, six months before production of the estate ended. The model made way for the new AMI 8 which featured a more conventional rear design. AMI 8 handed the baton on to the Citroën Visa in 1978.

Citroën's virtual museum – Citroën Origins – offers an immersive experience in 3D, offering a closer look at AMI 6 and 80 other iconic Citroën models from 1919 to the present day. To discover more, click to