Cooper Electric Hardtop

Make
Mini
Segment
Hatchback

While the world's automakers continue to develop monstrous SUVs, Stellantis-owned Citroen is looking to buck the trend with the electric Oli (pronounced all-e) concept. However you choose to say it, just don't call it a car - the French automaker describes it as a "multi-purpose everyday extension to your life that is as useful when you aren't driving it as when you are."

Let's kick off with the styling. When it comes to design, Citroen has never followed the crowd, and the Oli is no different. Citroen describes the overall look as "unconventional" and says the overall design was driven by three key tenets: durability, efficiency, and functionality.

The hood, roof, and pickup bed panels, for example, are fashioned out of recycled honeycomb cardboard. That may sound rather flimsy, but it's strong enough to stand on, says Citroen. Overall, the red accents and chunky detailing give it a Lego Speed Champions look.

As you may have guessed, the Oli is all about sustainability. Lightweight materials and simple designs have been used to reduce cost and complexity, as seen by the flat glass and panels. This theme continues inside, where you'll find mesh-backed seats made from recyclable materials.

All these reused items and lightweight components pay dividends on the scale. Citroen is targeting a weight of just 2,204 lbs, which should make it rather efficient. No details have been shared about the battery pack and motor, but Citroen hopes to achieve a maximum range of 249 miles (twice as much as the Mini Cooper Electric Hardtop). The battery should be able to charge from 20% - 80% in 23 minutes.

A claimed top speed of 68 mph may not excite but is more than enough for the cramped European streets the Oli is designed for and should work well in crowded metropolitan areas. Performance is not the focus here; Citroen is hoping to make electric motoring more affordable and responsible by "bucking industry trends for heavier, more complex and expensive zero-emission family vehicles."

The interior is as wonderfully wacky as the exterior and, despite the Oli's compact dimensions, the cabin looks to be capacious. Trimmed in a rather sudden orange shade, the minimalist interior boasts a flat floor and a fuss-free design. It may strike you as odd, but there's no visible infotainment screen. Instead, there's a 'Smartband' HMI projector and what Citroen calls "bring your own device" infotainment.

And, Peugeot/Citroen owners, rejoice: there are physical buttons for the climate control settings. Currently, one of the biggest gripes with these vehicles is their finicky HVAC controls, which are buried deep within the touchscreen system. Hopefully, this signals a return to simpler times.

And that's what the Oli is about, really - simplicity. It's almost as if Citroen has captured the spirit of the original 2CV, and placed it in the body of a contemporary, electric-powered SUV that is devoid of any frills or wanton accessories. Like the iconic "Deux Chevaux" it should prove easy to repair, too. Recycled parts can be used for upgrading, repairing, or refurbishing the car over its lifetime.

Like Citroen's other tiny electric car, the adorable Ami, the Oli showcases Citroen's commitment to innovative design and left-field solutions. We're not sure the little city slicker will ever make it into production and, if it does, it's highly unlikely to make it to the USA. However, we can expect to see various design elements and interior appointments pop up in future production models.

Importantly, the Oli is also the first Citroen to wear the company's new 'deux chevrons' logo since the recently announced redesign. The minimalist badging is the company's 10th logo redesign in its 103-year history, and harks back to the original that was favored by company founder Andre Citroen.

The automaker's CEO, Vincent Cobee, said "Our new identity is an elegant symbol of progress as we move our customers physically in daring, forward-looking vehicles that challenge traditional industry rules." The Oli certainly fits that description, and we can't wait to see what rolls out of France next.