Test Microlino: The end of the car in sight?

It feels a bit like Easter and Christmas are coinciding now that the Microlino is finally coming to market, years after its debut at auto shows. Easter wasn’t sweetened because of the egg, but luckily the cell phone gift arrived in time for Christmas shopping. We test whether it makes you happy.

Is it a car or a small car? Not either, because the Microlino falls under the L7e rules. A legal vehicle category that also includes quads and other vehicles that fall between subcompacts and real cars. The Microlino closely resembles the BMW Isetta bubble car from the 1950s. The Microlino is completely new and fully electric. The maximum speed is up to 90 km/h and you need a driving license for this.

The Dutch genes of Microlino

The Microlino has a self-supporting body and independent suspension and is made in Italy. However, the concept was born in Switzerland and also has some Dutch genes. The family of the spiritual father of Microlino, Wim Outboter, originally comes from our Netherlands. Ex-banker Ouboter started by inventing a very successful scooter and subsequently developed numerous other variants. This was followed by an e-scooter and the Microlino.

Classic

Its retro look makes it seem almost like a classic, but modern details like the LED lighting reveal that this is not the case. What is striking is the high quality, which is more at the level of a car than a moped like the Opel e-Rocks.

Entry takes place at the push of a button under the right mirror. An invisible sesame then opens the large entrance door for you. Then get in standing and backwards.

Internal bumper

Then when you pull the door towards you, it closes the last part gently. On board you sit in a fairly spacious two-seater interior and also have a large luggage compartment. In the door you will see a large heavy metal bracket that resembles a dashboard. Like an internal bumper, it guarantees your safety. There is also a small digital control panel for, among other things, heating and ventilation. You start with a regular key and your automatic transmission controls are located in a handle on the left, next to the driver. Select D, release the handbrake and off you go. Quite smooth and silent, which increases the quality experience. The brakes and steering are not servo-assisted, but they can be controlled excellently.

The only thing you have to get used to, besides not having an interior mirror, is the high-pitched whine that the single-speed transmission produces. Taking a curve doesn’t make you feel unsafe, it’s a lot of fun.

It’s never really fast, but with its low center of gravity and direct steering, the Microlino conveys a reasonably sporty driving experience. The chassis is also robust, but not rock hard and uncomfortable like many small cars.

Not a Columbus egg

So just advantages? No, it’s not Columbus’ mobile egg. In our opinion it is the nicest and cheapest electric car, but there is hardly any real advantage in the city. While with a Birò you sometimes just miss an unloading truck on the canal, in the wider Microlino you simply have to stand like a car in a traffic jam.

You can park sideways in a parking space, but just try to find a spot. Also, except in some special places, you simply have to pay full price. Another advantage is the fact that you can use it on the highway. It is not intended for 16 year olds as you will need a driver’s license.

Microlino range

And then there is the price of this Micro EV: It has to cost at least 17,990 euros. But you have an Urban with the smallest battery, which has a range of 91 km. If you want more range, you should go for the more luxurious Dolce and then choose the medium battery option with a range of 177 km. Then you have lost 21,990 euros. If you want more, you have to tick the “Long range” option and then get a whopping 230 km range and have to transfer 23,590 euros. You can also buy a car with this money. For example, a Kia Picanto is available from 17,245 euros. If you look at it as a car it’s relatively cheap, if you look at it as a sophisticated subcompact then it’s expensive. In reality, it’s mostly a nice device, more of a subcompact car than a subcompact car. A real bubble car.

A full video follows and the Microlino will also take part in the big Microcar test in Autovisie magazine 22, which will be available in stores from October 26th.