Citroën targets leisure market with funky e-Mehari

21st century update for legendary Mehari name
Citroën e-Mehari is made of durable plastic, painted in a choice of bright colours
Autocar|Sarah Bradley10 January 2016

The SUV market is arguably becoming saturated, but you can always count on Citroen to dream up something fresh. With the new all-electric e-Mahari, the innovative French manufacturer has done exactly that – and revisited a legend at the same time.

The open-top leisure vehicle makes more than a passing reference to its forebear, the iconic 2CV-based Mehari produced from the late 1960s to the end of the 1980s. The entire car is made of durable plastic, painted in a choice of bright colours, and a light ribbing pattern in the side panels is reminiscent of the original’s.

Meanwhile, a versatile folding soft-top roof covers the interior, and the plastic-covered trim in the four-seater cabin can be hosed down, giving further practical appeal.

The ‘e’ aspect of the e-Mahari’s name concerns the electric drivetrain, which incorporates a rechargeable lithium metal polymer battery pack. This enables a claimed range of 124 miles and 68mph top speed. Recharging at a charging station takes eight hours; at home, it’s 13 hours.

The e-Mahari is due to arrive in French showrooms early in the spring.

Citroën describes it as: "Stylish, confident, off-beat and even sassy." It says the car is: “Designed to appeal to customers looking for an alternative vehicle with a positive outlook on life, attentive to trends and to the environment.”

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