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FRENCH SENSE

If You're After A Small Runabout You're Only Likely To Need For Local Journeys, A 'Quadicycle' Like This Ligier Ambra Could Be Just What You're Looking For. Jonathan Crouch Reports

You'd be forgiven for feeling a touch wary about the prospect of purchasing a quadricycle. This, after all, sounds like something you'd see at the circus, not a vehicle you'd park on your driveway. Yet a car it is ? at least to look at.

Even so, the beaureaucrats don't class it that way. For them, a vehicle like the Ligier Ambra featured here is no more or less than a four-wheeled motorbike ? which is the main reason you can drive it on a motorbike licence. Don't be put off however. This little 'car' makes an awful lot of sense if you want something for local or urban travel. It's economical, affordable, ecologically 'green' and just as comfortable and versatile as any ordinary supermini.

Ligier is a French company that has been selling cars like this in Europe for decades to ready customers right across the Continent looking to keep the attributes of a car yet dramatically cut their running costs. It's only with Britain's wholehearted entry into Europe, however, that quadricycles like this are being made available here ? with Reliant Cars (makers of the famous Robin three-wheeler) now Ligier's official UK importers. The company is now offering only one Ambra model, a petrol-powered version costing £6,851 on the road.

"It's economical, affordable, ecologically 'green' and just as comfortable and versatile as any ordinary supermini..."

This 505cc petrol model manages a maximum of around 65mph and has a reasonable chance of keeping up with the traffic flow in terms of acceleration (with sixty from rest achievable in 18 seconds). Because quadricycles are limited to a ceiling of 550 kilograms in weight and 20bhp in power output, you shouldn't expect too much in terms of performance however. At the pumps, expect to average at least 65mpg, a figure you should be able to achieve on a regular basis, even around town.

The powerplant itself is a four-stroke, water cooled, twin cylinder engine developing 15 Kw. There's no manual gearbox ? just a belt-driven constant velocity transmission (CVT) gearbox to ensure for what Ligier describe as "speedy round town acceleration".

Due to its compact dimensions, the Ambra could be parked head on into the kerb (if you're prepared to face the inevitable wrangle with the local traffic warden over whether that would justify a parking ticket), allowing two vehicles into the space normally occupied by one. The cabin is extremely spacious for a car just 2.47 metres in length, mainly thanks to its width (1.40 metres) which allows for plenty of elbow room. There's no back seat but you do get 800 litres of luggage space.

On the move, the sound-insulated interior should prove just as quiet as most other small cars, while the MacPherson strut front suspension (and cantilever rear suspension) aims to soften the effect of poor city surfaces. Once inside, there's not much other than the pretty cheap trim to remind you that this is unlike any other ordinary small runabout. Equipment-wise, you can expect three-spoke alloy wheels, halogen headlamps, electric windows, an electric boot release, tinted glass, contrasting cloth trim, a decent quality stereo, remote central locking and a rear wiper. Leather seats and front foglamps are extra if you want them.

The Ambra's three-door bodywork is almost 100% recyclable. The first thing to say here is that the monocoque body should prove just as safe in an accident as any other small car. Though quadricycles are not required to pass normal EEC crash tests by law, Ligier decided to complete the procedure anyway. The car passed with flying colours, meeting all requirements, including those for side impact and safety belt anchors. In addition, the car's high-tech, lightweight, recyclable, polycarbonate ABS body also ensures protection from other traffic when parking, as minor dents and knocks merely bounce back upon impact, leaving no lasting damage.

The Road fund licence will be at the lowest £100 level. And warranty? Well, you can expect the usual year on parts and labour. Since its introduction, the Ambra has started to win over traditional Reliant Robin customers, who would prefer a four wheeled vehicle, yet want to retain their ability to drive on a motorcycle licence. With the Ambra they have, in theory, the best of both worlds and join up to 1000 owners a year who can now drive a small, trendy car that is as economical to purchase as it is to run.

Whether buyers otherwise considering more conventional small cars would want one of these really boils down to their intended use for it. Yes, for the same kind of money, you could buy a secondhand supermini. But in buying a car like that, would you really be buying more than you need if urban or to-the-shops-and-back use is all you ever require? Would you be paying a lot more in running costs for dynamic ability that your lifestyle renders unnecessary? If the answer's yes, then it's worth checking out an Ambra. You might be surprised to find that it's just what you need.