Electric Microlino is reminiscent of Isetta
LOOKING for a modern version of the 1960s Isetta bubble car? Check out this new electric version of the cute microcar.
The Microlino bubble car, which was on display at last week’s Geneva motor show, comes from Swiss kickboard maker Micro Mobility Systems.
It bears a remarkable resemblance to the original made by Iso Rivolta in Italy, and later by BMW under licence in the days before the Blue Propeller became a premium badge. The prototype Microlino weighs only 400kg without its batteries and has space for two passengers and luggage.
Its 15kW electric motor gives it a top speed of 100km/h and a range of about 120km between charges.
Company founder Wim Ouboter hopes to start series production soon and expects the first baby cars to come off the assembly line at Kandi Technologies in Jin- hua, China by the end of 2017, at a retail price of less than 10 000 euros (about R170 000).
The response in Geneva has been encouraging, said Ouboter, who said that whenever the Microlino had been seen on the road “people wave and smile”.
Women seemed particularly enthusiastic about the pint-sized car, he added, an effect “which should not be underestimated”.
After BMW declined to take part in the project, Ouboter teamed up with Tazzari, an Italian maker of small electric vehicles.
“We want to make an initial batch of 300 cars which we can finance ourselves and then we will see how the idea takes off,” said Ouboter.
The first Isetta was made by Iso Rivolta in 1954. Well-preserved examples of the petrol-driven versions made in Italy and Germany now fetch high prices at auctions.
- DPA