A fun short film shows the Microlino, the electric version of the iconic Isetta, on the road and now close to going on sale. It has 2 seats and a 200 km range, with the first units available before the end of summer.
Those who, now two years ago, reserved an Microlino electric car received this reassuring email last April: "We have great news: even though the transfer of production to Germany took longer than expected, we are confident that we can begin the first deliveries by spring. Production is already under way and once the initial phase with the first pre-series units is complete, full series production will officially begin. We thank you for all the support you have given us over the past years and once again apologise for the delays and postponements." The email, signed by Merlin and Oliver Ouboter, co-founders of the Swiss company Micro Mobility Systems of Küsnacht, in the Canton of Zurich, and addressed to future Microlino buyers, ends with a wish: Let's change urban mobility together! In short, with a slight delay, production moved from Italy to Germany, a few minor issues during homologation testing, the electric "remake" of the iconic Isetta is almost ready for its debut. At least that is what the manufacturers are promising (barring further delays). In the meantime, a video shows it in action in the city — its ideal setting.
The Microlino, compact and highly original with its front-opening door — just as on the original Isetta of the 1950s — has not yet reached the market but has already earned recognition as "Best light electric vehicle" at the Red Dot Awards, considered one of the most prestigious competitions dedicated to industrial design. The start of series production, originally planned for Italy at the Tazzari EV facilities in Imola towards the end of 2017, has in fact suffered considerable delays, partly due to the shift of production to Germany; in December 2018 the name of the new manufacturer was announced — German company Artega, specialising in small-series electric sports cars — which will produce the Microlino in a 3,000 m² industrial facility in the town of Delbrück-Hagen; full production capacity will reach 8,000 vehicles per year.
In the coming weeks, it will be possible to visit the new dedicated website and configure your own Microlino, choosing colours, versions and accessories (including a scooter to fit in the small boot for the "last mile"). The first units will be delivered in Switzerland, and those who have already reserved one (currently with no deposit required) will receive a code in the coming weeks to retain their priority on the waiting list.
Just 2.4 metres long, with a single front-opening door and two seats. The Microlino is an extremely compact electric car designed above all for urban mobility. The top speed is limited to 90 km/h, but it is very nippy and reaches 50 kilometres per hour in just 5 seconds. The electric motor has a power output of 11 kW, fed by lithium-ion batteries of either 8 kWh or 14.4 kWh. Chargeable from a standard domestic socket, the time needed to bring the range back to 80 per cent varies from a maximum of 4 hours at 2 kW to a minimum of 1 hour with 6 kW available. In the small boot (300 litres), there is even room for a scooter if you want to get around town with even greater agility. Prices start from €12,000.