At the beginning of this week the Swiss company Micro Mobility Systems took a beautiful shot at all the memories of our collective imagination.
The company, specialized in micro vehicles, presented its Microlino 2.0 EV to the public for the first time. If it reminds some of you very closely of the legendary Isetta, know that it is. She looks like her daughter. Even more: it looks just like her. How nostalgic! And what a beauty.
Il Microlino 2.0 it is a completely electric reinterpretation of the Isetta that was built by the likes of BMW and many others in the late 50s and early 60s. Many will know it as a “bubble car”, because it looks like a bubble on wheels.
According to the company, the Microlino 2.0 has space for two adults, a maximum range of 200 km, and exceeds 90 km per hour. It costs around € 12.000, and will be on the road next year. Will deal with it the newborn Citroen Ami, well set up (and priced) but perhaps of inferior performance.
Extremely popular
I find it delicious. I love it. And it seems he is already proving quite popular. Micro Mobility Systems says it has 17.000 pre-orders. Enthusiastically aimed at drivers in European cities, the Microlino 2.0 is a breath of fresh air and creativity.
Here's yesterday's presentation (there's fat starting from minute 7:10):
Perhaps, just one note from an advertiser, the name isn't exactly the best. But it sounds less ugly in its “scooter” version. In fact, the company has also launched the Microletta, a three-wheeled electric scooter.
Given the undeniable resemblance of Microlino to Isetta, perhaps Microletta would have been a more appreciated name, but that's trifles now. I hope the Microlino is destined for much greater things.
Small cars in big cities make a lot, a lot of sense: They are easy to park, easy to drive and have less environmental impact than large uneconomic cars.
What happened to 1.0?
If you are wondering why Microlino has a “2.0” next to the name: yes, this is the second version. I have never heard of the first.
Micro Mobility Systems presented the first Microlino approximately five years ago at the Geneva Motor Show . At the time it seemed ready for a 2019 launch, but a legal battle-filled affair pitted the Swiss company against Artega, the German company that had been contracted to build the car.
The 2.0 version of Isett... sorry, Microlino, is obviously a refinement of the 1.0, and will be built in Turin with the production partner CECOMP .
