We don't know if you're aware of this, but bubble cars are... or rather they were a brilliant investment. Mint condition and rare units have gone past the million euro mark. So that means buying an old Isetta and using it as your new daily is out of the question. But there is a company that makes an electric alternative.
While not officially connected to vintage bubble cars, the Microlino is a Swiss electric cabin scooter that evokes the Isetta, with its front-mounted door. The model has already received something like 10,000 orders and you can now also configure one online to make it your own with colors and wheels.
In Switzerland, the price list starts at CHF 13,500 or about 12,500 euros. The “Long Range” variant with a range of 200 instead of 125 kilometers costs 2,500 euros extra.
According to the company, “The goal was to create a vehicle, which was inspired by the bubble cars from the ’50s, but with modern design and technology. In addition, it should be eco-friendly in production and during usage.”
While customers are waiting for their orders to be fulfilled, Microlino has released a bunch of cool little videos. In one of them, it goes up against a Ferrari to show the nimble little machine can be a joy to drive around town. It's also a head-turner, but we already knew that.
The Microlino's top speed is 90 km/h (56 mph) and range is estimated at 125-200 km (78-125 mi) with either an 8 kWh or 14.4 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack. That doesn't sound amazing, but look at those tiny wheels and tell us you want to go any faster.
Power is supplied by a 15 kW (20 hp) rear-mounted motor that provides 110 Nm (81 lb-ft) of torque. It's obviously slow, with a 0 to 50 km/h sprint taking 5 seconds. But unless we're mistaken, teens can drive this too, not just folks with a car license.
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. Full profile
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