Inspired by the popular single-door microcar, one of the original post-World War II bubble cars, the Microline EV the transition to production has just been confirmed. Although, for now, only in very small numbers, just 100 cars.
Recovering the concept of a vehicle with access to the cabin via a single door, positioned in front of the car, the "new Isetta" is the creation of a Swiss company, and like the original, it is a city vehicle, for only two occupants accommodated in a bench seat , with the outside length of the set not exceeding 2.43 m in length.
This fact allows it not only to recover an advantage that was advertised by Smart for a long time — the possibility of parking against the sidewalk —, but also to facilitate the entry and exit of occupants, directly onto the sidewalk.
Note also that the Microlino EV also has a luggage compartment with a capacity of 300 l.
Ranges from 120 to 215 km
Driven by an electric motor capable of guaranteeing a power of 20 hp and a maximum torque of 110 Nm, arguments that allow it to reach a maximum speed of 90 km/h, the Microlino EV should be made available with two different batteries: 8 kWh, to guarantee a range of around 120 km, and 14.4 kWh, synonymous with a range of around 215 km.
As for charging, they should take around four hours, when carried out in a simple domestic outlet, with a full charge costing 1.5 euros. When done through a Type 2 outlet, it shouldn't take more than an hour.
With production in charge of the Italian company Tazzari, which already produces an electric model, the Zero, and which also owns 50% of Microlino AG, the new model also promises a simplified interior, to lower costs, with the same principle as be applied to the propulsion system, imported from an electric forklift. The same happens, for example, with the door handle, originating from the Fiat 500.
100 cars in the first year, 5000 with stabilized production
With a production forecast for this first year of just 100 units, Microlino AG hopes to be able to manufacture between 1500 and 2000 units of its small electric vehicle, as early as 2019. This will then stabilize in numbers around 5000 units in the following years.
Moreover, the company guarantees that it has already in its hands more than 7,200 orders for the Microlino EV, whose price starts at 12 thousand euros.
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