Swiss electric car Microlino try to check out on trendy nostalgia

26 January 2018

Compact novelty will go on sale in the second half of the year

In 50-ies of the last century economical car Isetta was very popular in Europe. Initially it was developed in Italy, but licensed produced in a number of countries. Today the Isetta is mostly associated with BMW, because it is under the wing of a German company produced the largest number of vehicles in this series — more than 160 000. Now the Swiss company Micro Mobility Systems AG has decided to build a lightweight electric car with a design in the style of Isetta.

In General, Micro Mobility Systems AG specializiruetsya on vehicles but not those about whom you thought. It usually produces scooters, both children and adults. But a few years ago the owners of the business decided to try a new business. For the first time the concept Microlino was presented to the public in 2016, and now the company has demonstrated a more detailed prototypes and published characteristics.

The Swiss pay attention to what Microlino not just reminiscent of the Isetta, but directly borrow some of the layout. For example, the only door still installed in the front, and on it is the steering wheel and dashboard. Here's another interesting fact: the front track of this cute little car was significantly wider than the rear, which is also consistent with the known prototype from the 50s.

The length of the body Microlino is only 2 435 mm. it Turns out that novelty is 26 cm shorter than models of the smart fortwo. The interior is designed for two people. The trunk here and almost all "adult": the claimed volume of 300 liters. Dry weight excluding the driver and the traction battery is 450 kg.

In accordance with fashion trends Microlino is buggy. Electric motor power is 15 kW (20 horsepower). The declared maximum speed of 90 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 50 km/h takes five seconds. The manufacturer will offer two types of battery: a capacity of 8 and 14.4 kW / h depending on it will be possible to calculate a power reserve of 120 or 215 kilometers.

The new product will meet the European L7e class, then there will be "heavy quadricycle". By this segment include, for example, the Renault Twizy (which is dictated by the limitations of L7e max power 15 kW).

Despite the fact that Microlino largely mimics the legendary "Isetta" and within it is fundamentally different. In this case, the manufacturer no longer relies on maximum availability and mass. According to preliminary estimates, the initial price tag of the electric ATV will be 12 000 euros (about 840 000 rubles at the current exchange rate). Maybe by European standards, it is not so much. But in Germany you can buy a new Hyundai i10, Skoda Citigo, Dacia Sandero, Renault Twingo, Opel Karl, or even "Kalina" for one and a half times lower price. And it will be compact and let budget, but still full of cars.

It turns out that Micro Mobility Systems AG rely more on "fashion nostalgia." Buyers of such equipment will receive, on the one hand, vehicle style rare Isetta, on the other hand, can boast of having purchased an environmentally friendly car.