Citroën Ami 8 and Super
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Make |
Citroen |
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Years of production |
1969-1978 |
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Class |
Motor car |
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Fuel |
petrol |
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Engine |
Citroën boxer (flat-twin) G series (flat 4) |
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Engine position |
Longitudinal front |
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Drive |
Front wheel drive |
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Displacement |
602 to 1015 cc |
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Maximum power |
22–55 DIN hp (16–39 kW) |
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Transmission |
Traction |
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Gearbox |
4-speed manual |
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Unloaded weight |
620 to 805 kg |
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Maximum speed |
105 to 144 km/h |
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Bodywork |
Saloon notchback, hatchback, Break |
|
Length |
3,958 to 3,960mm |
|
Length |
1520mm |
|
Height |
1480 to 1485mm |
The Citroën Ami 6 is an automobile, produced by the French automaker Citroën from 1969 to 1978.
History
In March 1969, at the Geneva Motor Show, the Ami 6 was replaced by the Ami 8. This incorporates most of the bodywork elements of the Ami 6 identically platform, body, doors, roof, rear wings except for the location of the red lights and brings a more classic line thanks to a front completely redesigned with a so-called “Italian-style” bonnet. The models first in 1969 and 1970 did not feature the Citroën chevrons on the grille. The restyling is done under the direction of stylist Robert Opron, who also worked on the GS, the CX and the SM coupe.
The Ami 8 is available in "comfort" and "club" versions with separate front seats, stainless steel window surrounds and also available as a station wagon, still highly prized by the clientele, especially rural ones. The sedan abandons the inverted rear window, but does not benefit from a tailgate. From the 1971 models, the sliding front windows were abandoned in favour of crank-operated descending windows, the rear windows would remain sliding until the end of production.
On the mechanical side, the twin-cylinder 602 cc M28 engine is still present, with a double-barrel carburettor and a redesigned intake manifold and with a revised 4-speed gearbox. The power gain allows the Ami 8 to be equipped, for 1970, with disc brakes at the front, attached to the gearbox, and a ball joint transmission. The front and rear suspensions gained a front anti-roll bar torsion bar linking the two-wheel arms of the same axle. The maximum speed of the sedan is given for 123 km/h, that of the station wagon 120 km/h.
In early 1973, Citroën presented the Ami Super, powered by a 1,015cc engine of the first GS. Due to reliability and power consumption issues, it was a commercial failure. Copies in good condition are highly sought after today. When Citroën was taken over by Peugeot in 1974, production of the Ami 8 estate and saloon continued. In 1976, sales of the Ami 8 plummeted, dropping from 90,000 copies in 1974 to 54,000 copies. Citroën put an end to the line by presenting two new models, based on Peugeot 104: the LN in 1976 (104 coupé) and the Visa in 1978. The latter, driven by the two-cylinder engine increased to 652 cc with integral electronic ignition on the basic versions, replaces the Ami 8 but will never have an estate version.
The Ami 8 sedan finished in July 1978, followed in September by the station wagon, the last examples of which feature a black dashboard. It was not until the arrival of the ZX station wagon, in 1994, that the Ami 8 station wagon finally had a real successor.
Ami Super (1973-1976)
In January 1973, Citroën is expanding its range with a top-of-the-range model, the Ami Super. Equipped with a powertrain directly derived from the GS with first 1,015cc 55 hp engine, later increased to 61 hp. The platform is reinforced, as well as the cooling of the engine by small additional openings under the grille and uprated front brake callipers, it can now reach 140 km/h.
From the outside, it is distinguished by its six additional air intake vents under its grille, which is adorned on the grille with an additional bar highlighting the Citroën logo in a golden yellow plastic. A small monogram stamped "1015" on the side of the right wing indicates the new engine capacity, it will then be replaced by "Ami Super", as well as on the tailgate. For the rest, apart from a modification at the bottom of the front apron, the bodywork is the same as that of the Ami 8, but the sheet metal is a little thicker. Similarly, the traditional chassis-platform derived from the 2 CV family is also thicker in order to improve rigidity), which together with the new engine contributes to a significant weight increase of 85 Kg. Inside, the main visible feature is the floor-mounted gear lever. The dashboard and controls are specific to the new model. Despite its 67% more power, it is quieter in everyday use thanks to the timing belts.
The suspension is equipped with two front and rear anti-roll bars. The geometry of the front axle is modified, the steering becomes lighter and smoother. The tires are 135 R 15 in size. The tank, specific to these models, has a capacity of 40 litres. Lighter but less aerodynamic, it has a consumption comparable to a GS 1015.
The Ami Super is considered too uninhabitable for a 6 CV, as well as not very rewarding because it is too close to the Ami 8. For the 1974 model year, Citroën will therefore set the Ami Super apart with a strip of high side decoration sides and on the tailgate, as well as with open rims. The Ami Super will be produced in 44,820 copies, in sedan and station wagon, until February 1976. The last of the stock sales will run until 1977.there is a convertible, the Ami Super XC, created in two copies by private individuals.
