It is a small mobile egg that does not go unnoticed. With its very atypical appearance, strongly inspired by the BMW Isetta of the 1950s, the Microlino attracted all eyes during our test on the streets of Paris.
A very unusual mini vehicle
The concept: a very small car, even capable of sneaking into the BFMTV studios. All with this atypical shape and an original front opening, like its distant predecessor.
Is a Swiss start-up that launched the project in 2015. Project that became a reality 8 years later with the commercial launch of this Microlino.
A model that seems to arrive at the right time, at a time when micromobility is gaining many followers, especially with the success of the Citroën AMI, which will soon have a Fiat cousin, the Topolino.
Dimensions quite close to those of its competitors: the Microlino measures only 2.5 meters long, 1.5 meters high and 1.47 meters wide, enough to fit two passengers on the bench that is visible when opening. the previous door.
Once on board, you’ll quickly feel like you’re behind the wheel of a real car, even if you have to give up steering and braking assistance.
The atmosphere in the cabin is a little more elaborate than in the Citroën AMI, with a color instrument display and touch buttons to activate settings such as ventilation, heating or even defogging. The comfortable bench can be moved forward or rearward to adjust your driving position and you can even enjoy a ray of sunshine with its sunroof. Finally, a smartphone holder makes it easy to use as a GPS.
More versatile than an AMI
The 12.5 kW engine, or just 17 horsepower, is dynamic enough to move the 500 kilos of the vehicle and transport two people. And as a heavy quadricycle, it is not limited to 45 km/h like the Citroën AMI (light quadricycle) and can reach 90 km/h.
Enough to be able to circulate on the Paris ring road, unlike cars without a permit and scooters, and even on the sections of the A86 limited to 90. To do this, it is necessary to have at least a B1 permit which can be obtained at the age of 16 years.
The Microlino is marketed with three battery sizes of 6 kWh, 10.5 kWh and 14 kWh, for respective announced ranges of 90, 177 and 230 kilometers.
A very high price
However, one element remains especially deterrent: the price of this Microlino. Count between 18,000 and 23,000 euros. A difficult purchase to consider compared to a Citroën AMI that starts its price at 8,390 euros or even a “real” car like the Dacia Spring, starting at 15,800 euros, bonus deducted. This model still benefits for the moment from this aid of 5,000 euros that it should lose next year, while AMI and Microlino are content with a bonus of 900 euros.
Source: BFM TV
