The Microlino, which is 2.52 meters short, 1.47 meters wide and 1.50 meters high, definitely stands out on Swiss roads.
Microlino
publishedJul 31, 2022 at 6:07 am
On a test driveThe Microlino 2.0 is the perfect city car
Urban micromobility could be the solution for future private transport in cities. The right vehicle for this is made in Switzerland: the Microlino 2.0. We were allowed to test the electric micro racer.
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- Isabelle Riederer / A&W Verlag
The curves, the entry via the front, the cuddly appearance, the two-tone paintwork: Visually, the Microlino 2.0 is clearly reminiscent of the legendary BMW Isetta from the 1950s. The small two-seater catches the eye, you can tell that already on the first few meters of the test drive through Dübendorf. People watch, wave and marvel. The 2.52 meter short, 1.47 meter wide and 1.50 meter high micro-electric vehicle is exotic among all SUVs and station wagons. In contrast to them, three Microlinos fit in one parking space – hence the entry via the front door. It is therefore possible to get on and off directly via the pavement.
Quiet engine
The ascent is a bit unusual, but once you get the hang of it, it’s very easy. Well then, on to the big trip in a small car. Turn the car key, turn the rotary switch to “Drive” and off you go. The 17 hp little engine can hardly be heard. There is a choice of three battery sizes with a range of 91, 177 and 230 kilometers. The battery is fully recharged in three to four hours from a standard household socket. Since it tips the scales at just 496 kilograms, the Microlino 2.0 is officially considered an “L7e Heavy Quadricyle” and can be redeemed like a motorcycle.
Ready for the big exit. In Düdendorf, the first Microlinos were ready for a first test round.
Microlino
Access via the front door is unusual and yet somehow practical.
Microlino
The small electric speedster weighs almost 500 kilograms and is therefore considered an “L7e Heavy Quadricyle” and can therefore be redeemed like a motorcycle.
Microlino
Perfect city runabout
The interior is also small but fine. The seat can be moved, so tall people can also find space and don’t have to pull their knees up to their ears. The steering wheel is smaller than that of a “real” car, otherwise everything that is needed is in there, including digital readouts and easy-to-read displays. Only air conditioning is missing. There is a sunroof for this and the two small sliding windows open to provide fresh airflow. The highlight: There is even a sport button. Once pressed, the two-seater can do something similar to a traffic light start. Sweet gimmick: A small flame appears behind the car symbol in the display. The top speed is 90 km/h, in 5.0 seconds the micro speedster cracks the 50 km/h mark. You might not be able to take the motorway straight away to your holiday in Italy, but it’s more than enough for everyday life in the city and in the surrounding area.
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space miracle
The steering needs some practice, as it has no power steering and there is no brake support, which is why you have to press hard on the pedal. There are also no airbags, but a self-supporting steel body that provides significantly more safety.
Otherwise, the little one drives pretty fast, is good in the curves and sometimes forgives the odd bump. What hardly anyone believes, the Microlino is a small miracle of space. It provides an impressive 230 liters of luggage space.
The first deliveries of the Pioneer series, which is limited to 999 units, will start in August. A total of 1,500 Microlinos are to be delivered by the end of the year. According to Oliver and Merlin Ouboter, co-managing directors of Micro AG and co-inventors of the Microlino, there are already 30,000 reservations. Prices start at 14,990 francs.
Behind the Microlino is the Swiss company Micro, which conquered the world with its kick scooters in the 1990s. What father Wim Ouboter founded back then is now being continued by his two sons, Oliver and Merlin. The starting signal for the Microlino was fired in 2015, at that time the micro speedster was only supposed to be a PR stunt, but the interest was so great that they decided to go into series development. Today the Microlino 2.0 is built in its own factory in Turin.