A few months ago, we met for the first time in Paris Citroen’s show car, Oli, which on the surface looks like a creative exercise by the French company in design and gimmicks, with some inspiration from the mythological place – and series production is from it onwards. But in Citroen, apart from launching the new-old logo, this time they chose an interesting, original platform for a family car, which given a conventional and less adventurous look will mark a welcome change – low weight and a long driving range, at a reasonable price.
The two acute, dynamic problems that literally burden electric vehicles are the weight of the battery and the electric motors; If we take, for example, an average electric vehicle of the French company, such as the Citroen C4-e, the data sheet shows that its weight without a driver is 1.6 tons, and other vehicles from manufacturers from Europe, South Korea, America and China some of them weigh 2 tons and in the luxury segment they do not even bother to consider kilograms, Because in terms of their clientele, it can be compensated for through the power curve.
Proportionally, the Oli is larger than a traditional family vehicle such as a Volkswagen Golf with a width of 1.90 m, more modular than it, suitable for the city and beyond, but most importantly – lighter than it by a sharp margin. Citroën estimates its weight at 1 ton and it is also possible to fall below this threshold depending on the options that are attached to it. Together with a 40 Kvtch battery, the system’s travel range is estimated at 400 kilometers until empty, or something like 40 additional kilometers over an electric Citroen C4, comparable in size to it – and the latter even has a larger 50 kW battery. That is, better performance as well – and without compromising on comfort accessories.
Some of the methods tried on the Oli are on the agenda and in the immediate range: use of parts developed in a 3D printer for interior parts and seats, or thermoplastic polyurethane, a flat front glass instead of a concave one (cheaper to manufacture), and even a compressed cardboard sheet (from which the hood is made) which, according to Citroen is stronger than steel and weighs half as much. All of these are existing solutions that will be used in the brand’s vehicles, and in accordance with all safety criteria already in the coming years.
Citroën executives commented during its unveiling that it is necessary to go in the opposite direction (something Citroën makes a point of doing – and it’s a good thing) and take into account the financial means of the average person and his environment. “We need to think about making vehicles lighter, cheaper and finding creative ways to maximize use. Otherwise, families will no longer be able to afford the freedom of mobility if electric vehicles become their only option. The oli is an impressive demonstration of how Citroën is tackling with these conflicts with optimism.”
Historically, Citroen is known as a company that breaks boundaries intellectually and technologically, and models such as the original DS, the De Chaux, the CX and more, demonstrated their ingenuity even when unflattering criticism was heard from the side. Now, in the midst of the electric revolution, it will be intriguing to examine how Citroën mobilizes its best minds and harnesses everything learned on board the oli to a mature, electric vehicle that may be a landmark, not only for the company but in the industry as a whole. And there are signals from France that this day is near.