microlino electric vehicle concept rejuvenates BMW's isetta from 1956 microlino electric vehicle concept rejuvenates BMW's isetta from 1956
mar 22, 2016

microlino electric vehicle concept rejuvenates BMW's isetta from 1956

microlino electric vehicle concept rejuvenates BMW’s isetta from 1956
image courtesy of microlino

 

 

 

wim ouboter, a swiss urban transportation entrepreneur, wants to change personal mobility with a small electric vehicle concept under the name ‘microlino’. the proof of concept was based on an electrified BMW ‘isetta’ from 1956. with conventional cars in the city only being occupied by only two people on average, the team behind the vehicle wanted to develop a functional light car that is reduced to the max. 

 

mircolino-electric-vehicle-concept-designboom-02
the concept comfortable seats two passengers 
image courtesy of microlino

 

 

 

micro-vehicles are still a niche, but with car sharing and car pooling becoming popular in congested cities, the concept would be affordable for everyone, whether it’s for renting or for buying. being only 2.4 meters in length, two ‘microlinos’ can be parked in a single conventional parking space. outfitted with an electric drive system and weighing less than 400 kilograms, driving around town in the car maybe become economical enough to stay within city limits. the concept made an appearance at the 2016 geneva motor show. 

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it includes a foldable canvas sunroof 
image courtesy of microlino

mircolino-electric-vehicle-concept-designboom-04
 the BMW ‘isetta’ side-by-side with the mircolino 
image courtesy of microlino

mircolino-electric-vehicle-concept-designboom-05
the concept is outfitted with an electric drive system 
image courtesy of microlino

mircolino-electric-vehicle-concept-designboom-06
the rear view 
image courtesy of microlino

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a constructed prototype built in china 
image courtesy of microlino

mircolino-electric-vehicle-concept-designboom-08
the microlino at the 2016 geneva motor show
image © designboom

mircolino-electric-vehicle-concept-designboom-09
the interior view of the concept 
image courtesy of microlino

mircolino-electric-vehicle-concept-designboom-10
founder wim ouboter next to the microlino 
image courtesy of microlino

piotr boruslawski I designboom
mar 22, 2016

  • a very respectful interpretation, I like the headlights/mirrors as well as the overall shape
    all electric cars should weigh less than 500Kg
    could be a great city car

    raymondo says:
    Mar 24, 2016

  • I loved the idea of Wim Ouboter, because I have had the same idea. He is to be congratulated for making an electric concept. However, I believe that the headlights could be positioned on the top edges, which should be solid, without canvas solar roof, to give more rigidity to the structure, have fog lights and mile, near the fender, and lanterns, where are now the headlights. I also think that the rear wheels should be as wide as the front wheels, greatly improving the stability and the luggage space. Whit time, if the engines were directly in the wheels, both the manufacturing process, and the final cost could decrease, while the internal space would be increased surprisingly.

    Sérgio Werneck de Figueiredo says:
    Mar 24, 2016

  • Terrific !!
    Far better than many other small electric cars.
    I hope the Microlino EV can get through the vehicle regulations.
    That’s the main obstacle for this ingenious little vehicle.

    Patrick Tison says:
    Mar 30, 2016

  • This Microlino is Beautiful! only a note, the original Isetta was designed by the Italian company Iso Rivolta who shared the rights to few companies including BMW and the french VELAM.

    pixhell says:
    Apr 01, 2016

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