The first Isetta-inspired Microlino electric car made its debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show and is finally entering production six years later. In 2022, a travel-themed concept car was also unveiled. Now, the concept car has become a reality and will be officially unveiled at the 2024 Paris Motor Show.
Microcars make a lot of sense for commuting in crowded cities, and the cutest of them all is MicroMobility Systems AG's bubble electric car. Like BMW's iconic Isetta from the 1950s and 1960s, the Microlino is entered through a door at the front. However, this modern model comes with battery-electric drive.
Four years after its Geneva debut, the car received a retro-modern overhaul, followed by early production models and special editions. Later, at an event in Paris, two new concept cars were launched - one aimed at young drivers and the other as an urban solution for holiday hotspots.
The former was unveiled as a production model in Geneva earlier this year, and now it's the Spiaggina's turn to be unveiled at the auto show. Reportedly inspired by "legendary beach classics like the Fiat 600 Jolly and Citroën Méhari," the retro electric convertible is headed to Europe's summer destinations.
Like the standard Microlino, it falls into the light electric vehicle category (L7e) on European roads, with a top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph) from its 12.5 kW engine and a range of 177 km (110 miles) per charge from its 10.5 kWh battery.
The car has a steel-aluminum body structure, with the upper and rear parts open to the wind, but a striped canvas roof can shield two people sitting side by side from the sun or rain. The roof can also be flipped back if desired, and there are reports that the hardtop roof will also be removable.
With a length of 2519 mm (99 inches), a width of 1473 mm (58 inches), and a height of 1501 mm (59 inches), the Spiaggina is not only maneuverable but also relatively easy to park. The trunk space is 230 liters, which can be used to carry essential beach supplies to and from the hotel. Micro notes that the vegan leather upholstery in blue/white or gray/brown has been developed specifically for the yacht and is "especially moisture-resistant."
The company envisions that Spiaggina will be snapped up by hotels as an on-site rental service. Of course, local operators can also provide tourists with "unique electric vehicle experiences", and theme parks, travel agencies and tour guides can also equip them.
The limited-edition Spiaggina car will go on sale next year, with prices starting at €24,990, but registrations can be made on the online shortlist now. The Paris launch also marked the unveiling of the "Customization Programme", which allows buyers to personalize their cars.
These cute little cars will be built at Micro's factory in Turin, Italy, and while Europe is a likely destination for these pioneering models, the company has also set its sights on the U.S. without revealing further details.
If you're in Paris, you can see the Spiaggina and the classic Microlino at the company's auto show stand in Hall 5.3.