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Camouflaged SEAT Ibiza "3-Wheeler" Testing in Germany, Looks Like BMW Isetta

If you thought that stupid unstable cars like the Reliant Robin stopped existing, think again. Somebody snapped this photo of a fully camouflaged SEAT Ibiza with a rear wheel configuration resembling the 50's BMW Isetta.
Camouflaged SEAT Ibiza 3-Wheeler Testing in Germany, Looks Like BMW Isetta 6 photos
Photo: Ferd Facebook Page
SEAT Ibiza EllenatorsSEAT Ibiza EllenatorsFabia EllenatorsVW Polo EllenatorsVW Polo Ellenators
Technically, it's not a 3-wheeler, but the two rear ones are so close together you can barely tell them apart. Hopefully, this is the work of some independent company and not something SEAT plans to launch shortly.

We did a bit of digging and found the exact same Ibiza was revealed many years ago. By a company called Auto Ellenrieder. Later, this configuration became known as the Ellenator, and there are even Skoda Fabia and VW Polo versions (check photo gallery). No, not the Pollinator!

Two years - that's what this is all about. Laws in Germany currently state that people under the age of 18 cannot drive a car. However, from the age of 16, they can get a license for something that's not quite a car. However, it needs to have a maximum top speed of 80 km/h and total output below or equal to 15 kW (20 hp).

If the rear track is equal to or shorter than 46.5 centimeters, the vehicle is considered to be a 3-wheeler. And yes, it's legal for the 16-year olds to drive it down the autobahn, which is a scary concept.

Depending on the source, we found that the conversion costs between 4,500 and 5,500 euros. Both new and old vehicles can be used. Extensive modifications probably include but aren't limited to inverted axle hubs for the beam rear suspension and a new trunk floor (the spare is in the way). The Ellenators' power comes from electronically restricted versions of the 1.0-liter or 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engines.

In our opinion, these parents love and trust their kids way too much. What's the point of buying them a custom car that they can only use for two years? The only upside is that when they do crash, the Ibiza has airbags and a decent safety rating.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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