The Microcar Resurgence
One could say that microcars boomed in the postwar years in Europe. The desire for personal mobility was strong, and the 1956 Suez Crisis, which drove up fuel prices, helped their cause. Also called bubble cars, notable examples include the Messerschmitt KR200, the Peel P50, and the BMW Isetta.
Microcars eventually fell out of favor, but they would remain popular in France as Voitures Sans Permis or VSC, literally meaning car without a license. These VSCs can be driven with just a permit for drivers as young as 14 years old. There were other microcars made over the decades, but it seems that the 2020s have seen a resurgence of the genre.
Heck, the President was even charmed by a different kind of microcar, namely kei cars from Japan. One could say it’s a good indicator of growing interest in small, efficient, and characterful cars in this part of the world. We’ve covered five potential kei cars that could thrive in America, but what does Europe have to offer? Here are five prime examples — and one of them is coming to the US, so you can bet these can be driven here.
Citroën Ami
Do note that three of the five cars in this list are made by Stellantis. The first (alphabetically at least) is the Citroën Ami. Introduced in 2019, it measures just 95 inches long, shorter than the wheelbase of a Mini 3-Door. The body is made of ABS plastic, and it actually uses a spaceframe chassis. Citroën even made an off-road version called the Buggy.
The Ami is powered by a single electric motor that musters 8 hp and, if you’re curious, has a limited top speed of 28 mph. With a battery capacity of 5.5 kWh, it can go 47 miles on a single charge. Obviously, it’s no long-distance cruiser, but it’s an interesting “last mile” transport around the city.
Fiat Topolino
The Topolino is the twin of the Citroën Ami and is also made by Stellantis. It has the same spaceframe chassis and ABS plastic bodywork, but it’s aesthetically different. Infused with Italian charm, it takes inspiration from the original Fiat 500, adapting the look for its front and rear fascias.
Like the Ami, it’s powered by a single 8 hp motor that gets energy from a 5.5 kWh battery. Range is also the same as its French sibling, so it’s an urban runabout at best. We don’t have to put the Topolino on our wishlist for long, though, as it’s been confirmed that it’s coming to the US.
Microlino
It may look like an Isetta, but the Microlino isn’t a BMW product. It does have the Bavarian spirit, from its bubble shape to its front-opening door. And while its inspiration is German, the microcar actually hails from Italy. The modern interpretation is also 9.2 inches longer than the Isetta at 99.2 inches.
One could say that the Microlino is more usable than the Ami and Topolino. For starters, there’s an optional 15 kWh battery aside from the 10.5 kWh pack and the standard 6 kWh unit. That means it has more range, with the 15 kWh version getting up to 128 miles. You won’t be breaking highway speed limits with it, as it has a top speed of 56 mph.
Opel Rocks Electric
And we’re back to Stellantis. The Opel Rocks Electric is the third triplet of the Stellantis microcar platform. Unlike the Fiat, the Opel version is a direct rebadge, though. It’s only sold in two countries, though, namely Germany and The Netherlands. The rest of Europe gets the Ami and Topolino.
Specs? It’s literally the same as the Citroën and Fiat. Not that we’re complaining, though.
Renault Twizy
Sadly, Renault no longer makes the Twizy. Then again, it’s the oldest of the bunch as it reached showrooms in 2012 and production lasted until 2023. It’s wild, wacky, and attention-grabbing; you can count on the French to come up with something like this. At 92 inches long and 48.6 inches wide, it’s even a touch smaller than the Stellantis trio.
It came with a 6.1 kWh battery and a range of 57 miles, so cross-country trips are out of the picture. It made more power than an Ami, though, with 17.5 hp sent to the rear wheels. The Mobilize Duo has since replaced the Twizy, but the Renault trumps it in charm.
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