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Citroen previews concept Oli, its “multi-purpose electric device”

Citroen has taken the wraps off the all-new Oli (pronounced all-e) concept that builds on the quirky Ami electric city hatchback. The French manufacturer’s latest concept will be a working platform for its future EVs in terms of design, interior, and sustainability.

Sutanu Guha

Updated Sep 29, 2022, 20:03 IST

Citroen Oli

Citroen has revealed the concept Oli car, which looks like an SUV, but has been termed as a multi-purpose electric device. It will be a working platform and will be a precursor to all future production models in terms of design, interior, and sustainability.

As has been described by Vincent Cobee, CEO of Citroen, “Citroen believes electrification should not mean extortion and being eco-conscious should not be punitive by restricting our mobility or making vehicles less rewarding to live with”.

He further added, “Oli is a powerful demonstration of how Citroen is confronting these conflicts head-on with optimism”. So, without much ado, let's jump into the details.

Citroen Oli: Dimensions and exterior design

The Citroen Oli measures 4.2 m long, 1.65 m tall, and 1.90 m wide. The upright proportions and bulky body styling should rightfully remind you of a proper off-road reckoner. But the science lies in its details.

For starters, the bonnet and the roof are made up of recycled cardboard structures that further get a protective, durable coating and can be used as a multi-purpose deck. The upright vertical design, especially the windscreen was a deliberate choice for it requires the smallest glass area, thus reducing cost and weight.

Citroen Oli Top View — Citroen Oli: Top View

On the side as well, the Citroen Oli gets doors with quirky designs that have been taken from Ami. They are of different sizes and are lighter as well. So, while the front doors are larger the rear doors are narrowers and hinged at the rear. This allows for easy ingress and egress to and from the cabin.

Moving on, the Oli rides on concept Eagle EO tires that have been co-developed with Goodyear. These tires have been made using sustainable materials like sunflower oils, pine tree resins, and fully natural rubber instead of synthetic.

Citroen Oli Side view — Citroen Oli: Side view

At the back, instead of the usual trunk or hatchback, the Oli features a spacious pick-up bed and trunk. The flatbed measures 994mm wide, and the load bed further expands in length from 679 mm to 1050 mm instantly. The cleanly designed tailgate is also made in two sections - a lower steel panel that contains a central license plate recess, topped by a mesh section.

(Also Read: Citroen reveals new logo and brand identity)

Citroen Oli: Interior

Citroen has gone for a simple and minimalistic design with the cabin design of the Oli. The dashboard has a singular central beam running across its width that also accommodates the steering column, a smartphone deck, and five toggle switches for the air-conditioning system. This beam is made up of recycled 3D-printed thermoplastic that features a flexible “mushroom” to keep cups in place.

But one of the most interesting innovations is how they have done away without any infotainment screens. Instead, the central beam integrates an electrified rail to which accessories can be plugged via USB sockets.

Thus this enables your phone to double up as your infotainment interface. By doing so, Citroen claims that it reduces the weight and usage of materials. Thus, there’s no in-built audio system, instead, the hollow beam can be used to maximize the sound by placing a Bluetooth speaker.

Another quirky and innovative design that focuses on sustainability has to be the seats in the Oli. They use 80% fewer parts than conventional seats used in equivalent SUVs.

The bright orange front and rear seats are made up of strong tubular frames onto which are mounted comfortable base cushions covered in textile made from 100% recycled polyester, that can be further recycled again. Innovative 3D-printed mesh backrests feature an integrated headrest and are inspired by modern office space furniture.

Citroen Oli: Battery and Performance

With all the weight reductions above, Citroen believes that the Oli’s electric powertrain needs only a 40 kWh battery that will be good for a targetted range of up to 400 km. These batteries can charge from 20% to 80% in just 23 minutes. Also by capping its top speed to 110 km/hr, the Citroen Oli less aerodynamic design becomes all the more functional.

Speaking of which, the Oli also has the functional capabilities to work as a Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Vehicle-2-Load(V2L). This means we can use the car as a mobile power bank as a backup power source. In the concept, there’s a 3.6 kWh battery socket that can theoretically power up a 3000W device for 12 hours.

Not all of the features and design language might make their way into production. But as has been put by Vincent Cobee, the Chief Executive Officer of Citroen, “Citroen Oli exemplifies our mobility mission: responsible, straightforward, and affordable for your daily life while still

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