Should Citroën AMI be Worried About Nissan?

Nissan partners with Silence, a leader in the electric urban micromobility market, to offer microcars to its customers.

As part of this new partnership, Nissan holds the distribution rights for the small Silence S04. This compact car, measuring 2,282 cm in length, 1,268 mm in width, and 1,573 mm in height, is built in Barcelona. A distinctive feature to help you recognize it at first glance is that it only has a single central headlight.

Designed for sophisticated urban environments, this electric Nanocar is available in two versions, L6e and L7e, offering ranges of 149 km and 175 km respectively, with top speeds reaching 45 km/h for the L6e and 85 km/h for the L7e. Powered by two 5.6 kWh batteries, the S04 Nanocar provides three simple and convenient charging modes: direct charging, battery exchange at dedicated stations, and home charging via two removable batteries stored under the seats. These batteries are mounted on rollers and feature a telescopic handle similar to that of a carry-on suitcase.

Everything about this small car reflects a thoughtfully designed concept, including air conditioning and a spacious 247-liter trunk, even if it is quite tall. Its modern look may be criticized by some for its somewhat “permissible vehicle” style, unlike the Citroën AMI, which features a very particular design. The two removable batteries on a trolley are a real advantage, making the car almost as easy to use as an electric assist bicycle. No need to find a charging station — just take the battery, recharge it at home, and you’re ready to go again.

The question of price remains. The car can be reserved on Silence’s website at 14,870 euros for the L6e version and 16,660 euros for the L7e version. This is almost double the price of a Citroën AMI, with some interesting specificities, but ultimately a product that does not seem capable of revolutionizing the market. One can let out a sigh of relief at Citroën.

French Nissan customers will be able to see the Silence S04 Nanocar L6e and L7e in showrooms starting June 2024. Sales will begin shortly thereafter.