Microlino, 2.5m Bubble Micro EV, will go into Production in 2023

Microlino, a bubble EV, inspired from BMW's Isetta, will go into production in 2023. Two Swiss brothers, Oliver and Merlin Ouboter have already begun the manufacturing of Microlina.

Highlights

1. BMW's Isetta reimagined - Microlino, will go into production in 2023.
2. Oliver and Merlin Ouboter have already begun the manufacturing of Microlino
3. The car is Swiss-engineered and just 2.5m long.

Microlino, a 2.5m long Mini EV!!

Is the bubble car making a comeback? Two Swiss brothers are bringing back the scaled delights of BMW's Isetta period with a tiny new electric car called the Microlino, which will go into production in 2023.

It is a little electric vehicle inspired by 1950s bubble cars and is intended for urban use at a low cost. The city whizzaround is priced aggressively, with a planned RRP of 15,000 Swiss francs (£13,350 at the time of writing). It's likely best thought of as a quadricycle rather than a full automobile, which helps keep expenses down.

The Microlino was created by brothers Oliver and Merlin Ouboter at their offices in Kuesnacht, Switzerland. Low-volume manufacturing has already begun, and the business intends to debut in other parts of Europe in 2023, with further variations to follow.

All About Microlino!!

'We realised that with an average of 1.2 people in a car and a distance travelled of just around 35 km (22 miles), current automobiles are far too enormous for what they are really used for,' said co-founder Merlin Ouboter. As a result, the concept of resurrecting little bubble-car-era design, complete with quirky front door, for the twenty-first century was born.

The Microlino is only 2.5 metres long, making it easier to park (the creators claim three can fit in one normal place), and it weighs only 496kg. It's a vicious circle: because the electric powertrain consumes less energy, fewer lithium-ion batteries are required. It's a nice antidote to the ever-increasing weight of contemporary automobiles (especially electric ones).

Buyers may select between 6kWh, 10.5kWh, and 14kWh battery capacities, with recharging periods ranging between three and four hours depending on the size of the cell. The range is determined to be either 56, 110, or 143 miles.

According to its creators, the boot measures 230 litres, which is suitable for a daily shop and short journeys around town. Performance? The acceleration from 0 to 30 mph takes around five seconds, and the highest speed is limited to 56 mph. It appears to be quick enough for city tasks.

Microlino and its Parent Company Micro

Wim Ouboter started Micro in 1999 after launching the Kickscooter and claiming to have originated the micromobility trend, with 90 million scooters sold since. It debuted its first e-scooter in 2013, and has since collaborated on two-wheeled projects with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Peugeot.

The Microlino quadricycle project, led by Ouboter's two sons, Merlin and Oliver, began in 2015 and has faced multiple difficulties on the path to manufacturing. Low-volume production began in summer 2022 with Italian partner Cecomp in Turin and is expected to expand up in 2023. According to the firm, more than 35,000 people have reserved a Microlino.

'The goal was to offer an alternative to traditional automobiles,' Oliver explained to Reuters. 'The Microlino accomplishes that far better than bicycles - it's weatherproof, has cargo capacity, and can accommodate two individuals sitting next to one other.'

'Because it's smaller than a typical automobile, it needs less material to construct it, and it has a smaller battery, therefore it uses less power,' said Brother Merlin. As a result, the ecological footprint is around one-third that of a standard electric vehicle.'

Original Bubble Cars Vs Microlino

The Microlino was clearly influenced by 1950s bubble cars. The BMW Isetta is possibly the most well-known example. Wasn't it the cutest thing ever?

Early Isettas (above) featured three wheels, which assisted in some markets, notably as the British market, where a single rear wheel provided tax savings. The majority of European Isettas featured two rear wheels that were tightly spaced.

The Microlino is also a four-wheeler, which provides increased stability and grip when zipping about town.

Take note of the distinctive front-hinged door for entrance, which is shared by both periods of bubble vehicle. The Isetta had a single front door and a pivoting steering column. The column of the Microlino remains immobile, making it resemble the Heinkel and Trojan bubble cars of the late 1950s and early 1960s.

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