Inspired by Isetta bubble car, the Microlino EV goes into production
The Microlino has a front-opening door, so you can parked nose-in and exit straight onto the pavement. Photos: Micro
It looks like an adult version of a Little Tikes push car and is inspired by the famous BMW Isetta microcar, but Swiss manufacturer Micro Mobility Systems reckons its EV Microlino will be just what European buyers are looking for.
The company said the bubble car will enter production in September, with European pricing to start at €12,000 (NZ$20,100).
Micro says that, on average, "a car is occupied by only 1.2 people and driven just 35km per day", meaning normal cars are "too big for 95% of their usage". The Microlino, it says, provides the "ideal mix" between motorbikes and cars. The two-seat Microlino has thus been developed to offer just the right amount of space, range, and performance according to average usage statistics.
it provides enough space for "two adults and three beer crates", weighs just 513kg and is capable of a maximum speed of 90km/h.
The boot of the Microlino has enough room for three crates of beer, says the manufacturer.
Two battery sizes are on offer (with no kWh figure provided on the website, these are simply referred to as “small” and “large”), offering estimated ranges of 125km and 200km respectively. A full charge reportedly takes just four hours from a regular household wall socket.
The floor-mounted electric motor produces approximately 11kW, sent to the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission, with the car going from 0-50km/h in 5.0 seconds.
Like the Isetta from which it takes heavy styling influence, the Microlino features a front-opening door, meaning it can be parked nose-in and occupants can exit straight onto the pavement. However, the steering column, unlike the Isetta's, is fixed to the floor, rather than the door.
In keeping with its low price, the Microlino's cockpit is simple and minimalist, save for a digital display showing key information. Instead of an integrated sound system, the dashboard features a horizontal bar to which phones and wireless speakers can be mounted.
in Europe, it is positioned to compete with the Citroen Ami One and Renault’s Twizy or EZ-1 two-seater.
A prototype of the Microlino was unveiled in 2018, at which time it was underpinned by a tubular aluminium frame. The updated variant – which will be homologated for production by August and built in Italy according to the manufacturer – gets a pressed steel and aluminium monocoque for improved safety.
The Microlino has gone from tubular frame to pressed steel.
