Retro-inspired Microlino quadricycle gains Lite and soft-top variants – Move Electric

Swiss micromobility pioneer Micro has unveiled the production version of its bubble car-aping Microlino 2 . 0 at the Paris Motor Show – along with a new lower-speed Microlino Lite and a Citroën Merhati-inspired canvas-roofed concept version.

The Ouboter family founded Micro back in 1999 to sell kick scooters – and even claims to have helped coin the phrase micromobility. The particular firm expanded into e-scooter production within 2013, and began work on a four-wheel quadricycle concept two years later.

Inspired by the Isettand other lightweight micro cars from the 1960s, the developed the Microlino 2. 0, which was first shown in idea form at the 2016 Geneva motor show. The aim was to develop the two-seat quadricycle that could serve as an alternative to cars. Since then, Micro offers been working on developing the availability version, plus claims in order to have already received more than 35, 000 reservations.

It has now revealed the production version of the Microlino, and says deliveries of the particular Citroën Ami and Mobilize Duo rival have previously begun in Switzerland, with France and other European countries set to follow next year. There is no word yet on UK availability.

Built to L7e light vehicle regulations, the Microlino uses a 12. 5kW engine (with a peak power output of 19kW), which allows for a 0-31mph in five seconds and a top speed of 56mph (90kmh). This even gets a ‘sport’ mode.

It will be offered with a choice associated with 6kWh, 10. 5kWh plus 14kWh lithium-ion batteries, offering ranges of 56, 110 and 143 miles respectively. A 0-80 per cent charge takes four hours for the smallest and largest batteries, and three hours for the 10. 5kWh unit.

As with some other quadricycles such as the Ami and the City Transformer CT-1, a key selling point from the Microlino is its small footprint. It only takes up a third associated with the average parking space, and like classic sixties micro vehicles the machine has an unusual front opening door, so when driven into the space the particular occupants can exit straight onto the pavement.

Two passengers can sit in the device side-by-side, plus there is 230 litres of luggage area – which usually the firm claims is enough for three crates associated with beer. We assume you can put things other than beer crates in there.

The machine will be offered in a range of ten colours, and features a sunroof. Production of the Microlino is taking place in a joint factory in Milan with Italian firm Cecomp, as well as the machine has a starting price of ‘around’ €15, 000 (£13, 000).

The particular machine is unrelated to the Isetta-inspired Evetta micro car being developed by German firm Electricbrands.

Microlino En aning: meet the particular baby brother

The Microlino Lite revealed in the Paris motor show is the “close-to-production study” of a reworked version associated with the machine designed in order to fit the L6e quadricycle regulations. That means it will have a limited top speed of 28mph, but it does mean that it can be driven without a driving licence inside certain countries such as France – opening it up with regard to younger users.

While Micro claims the Litre model will have a similar range to the L7e version, it will differ in some aspects: there is certainly black trim instead associated with the LED lights at the front and rear, and a new black front bumper to give the ‘rugged’ look.

The particular Microlino Lite is expected to go into production the coming year, with the particular firm saying pricing will be “slightly lower” than the more powerful car.

Microlino Spiaggina Concept: the summer cruiser

Tiny also revealed a new concept version in the Paris, france show: the particular Microlino Spiaggina Concept, which is inspired by vehicles such as the Fiat 600 Jolly and Citroën Mehari and is designed regarding carefree summer cruising.

It’s effectively a rival towards the Citroën My Ami Buggy: instead of the regular Microlino’s hard top three will be a white-and-blue striped canvas top, while the machine is usually open on the sides plus rear above the bodywork to “get a gentle breeze in hot summer weather”. All of us suspect it will be less fun on Llandudno seafront on a wet November day, yet let’s see.

The show vehicle also features a bold white and blue interior, and all the interior trim is definitely waterproof, which might just offer some protection upon that aforementioned trip in order to Conwy to see The particular Great Orme.

Micro says that the Spiaggina is set in order to go into production as a limited series model next year.

Microletta: the three-wheeled option

Micro might be focused on the Microlino, but it’s still looking at other forms of mobility. That included the Microletta electric three-wheeler, which has been first demonstrated in 2020.

The machine is essentially an electric moped rival, but with two front wheels in a bid to provide better grip when cornering and offer extra braking. There’a removable battery along with a range of more than 62 miles, along with a top speed of 50mph. Its classification like a tricycle means that this can be driven with a car rather than a motorcycle licence in several European nations.

While the Miroletta is open for bookings, Micro says that it provides yet in order to set the production start date because it is focusing upon the Mircrolino range intended for now.