A Shocking Affair: My Date with the Electric Sardine Can

As I sit here, tapping away at my keyboard, I can't help but think of the Citroen My Ami Pop as the vehicular equivalent of a slapstick comedian. It's the kind of car that would wear a spinning bow tie if it could. This tiny electric "car" – and I use that term as loosely as the definition of a salad at a fast-food restaurant – is essentially a glorified golf cart with the audacity to roam city streets.

Now, as an automotive scribe with a soft spot for the underdog, I've always rooted for the electric revolution. But when it comes to the My Ami Pop, it's like rooting for a three-legged horse at the Kentucky Derby – you admire the spirit, but you know it's not winning any races.

Let's talk turkey – or should I say, electric turkey. The My Ami Pop is a box on wheels that measures in at a toy-like size, with just enough room to squeeze in your knees and your pride. It packs an electric motor – if we can flatter it with such a title – that outputs a hairdryer-level of power, getting you from A to B with all the gusto of a sloth on a Sunday stroll.

Battery capacity? Enough to get you around the block a few times before you're reaching for the charger. Price? Well, let's just say for the cost of €8,890 ($9,950, with €1 equaling approximately $1.12 at the time of my last Google search), you're paying for the novelty of the experience rather than any serious specs. In terms of acceleration, it's more 'gentle roll' than 'fast and furious', nudging to its top speed with the enthusiasm of a teenager asked to do the dishes.

But here's the kicker – despite being the butt of all jokes, this little rascal has found its way into the hearts and driveways of nearly 50,000 people. It's like watching a B-movie become a cult classic; you don't understand why it's popular, but you can't help but be intrigued.

Now, I must confess, I've written about many a vehicle in my time, from the grandeur of the Fiat Topolino – My Ami’s swankier cousin – to the sheer adrenaline of supercars. But there's something disarmingly charming about this plucky little runabout. It doesn't pretend to be something it's not. It's honest, in a cheeky, tongue-in-cheek way.

The “refresh” – if we can call slapping on a new set of stickers and a couple of switches a refresh – is akin to putting lipstick on a pig. But somehow, it works. The new infrared red stickers and the stylized gaming symbols give it a certain je ne sais quoi that's hard to resist. And let's not forget the sporty rear spoiler, which, let's be honest, is about as sporty as I am when I choose to take the stairs over the elevator.

As for the updated interior, it's as minimalistic as a monk's living quarters, with a USB socket and new driving selector that screams "I'm trying!" Citroen has even thrown in a Dat@mi connectivity box, because heaven forbid you can't check your social media while driving at the breakneck speed of 28 mph.

But in all seriousness, Citroen has played a blinder here. They've created a vehicle that's a statement on wheels. It's not about getting from point A to point B; it's about how you look and what you represent while doing it. And in today's world, where every second car is a gray, soulless SUV, the My Ami Pop is… well, still gray but at least with a burst of color and a breath of fresh air.

It's a reminder that driving doesn't always have to be serious. It can be fun, it can be quirky, and yes, it can even be electric. The My Ami Pop is a rolling meme, a conversation starter, and perhaps, just perhaps, it's a tiny glimpse into the future of urban mobility.

So, would I buy one? Let's just say I'm tempted. I may be a skeptic, but I'm also a sucker for anything that makes me smile. And every time I see My Ami Pop on the street, I can't help but grin like a Cheshire cat. It's the automotive equivalent of a dad joke – so bad it's good.

And who knows? Maybe one day, we'll all be driving these little electric boxes, reminiscing about the days when cars roared and gasoline reigned supreme. But until then, I'll tip my hat to Citroen for making the automotive world a little brighter, a little sillier, and a lot more electric.

Cheers to the little car that could, and to a future where we can all pop around town in our Ami Pops.