Small electric car in the test
Microlino – tiny car, big sensation
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This much should be clear: the Microlino is not a full-fledged car. It's a lightweight electric vehicle that demands a lot from its drivers. But they will also be compensated. Even the entry procedure with the door opening towards the front is fun. And the mini car inspires enthusiasm and a good mood everywhere.
You can attract attention with a Lambo or Rolls-Royce, but you have to invest a lot. In addition, such cars easily arouse envy and are considered environmental sinners. There are alternatives if you want to be seen. For example the Microlino, which also attracts a lot of attention for relatively little money. At least during our test drives in the Cologne area.
We were able to briefly test drive the Microlino in Mainz in spring 2023 as part of a press launch for the market launch in Germany. At that time we experienced the dwarf as loud, weak-chested and with some weaknesses in details. The young car manufacturer has not eliminated these disadvantages. But this time we had two weeks to get used to the quirks, which we soon found to be endearing as part of a special overall package.
Of course, that doesn't hide the fact that a Microlino has to shy away from comparison with real cars. The Isetta clone competes in the L7e lightweight construction class, which allows the manufacturer to forgo features such as airbags or ABS, but on the other hand, due to the registration-related weight limit of 450 kilograms unladen weight, the absence of many amenities even requires.
Have fun as soon as you get in
In fact, riding this culture of renunciation is also fun. The entry procedure with the door opening towards the front is already a hit. Once it is opened, you first stand in the passenger compartment facing the seat. Then you turn 180 degrees and fall backwards onto the full-length bench seat behind the steering wheel. Then pull the door slightly towards you until it rests against the frame. An electronic closing aid takes care of the rest. During the boarding procedure, it is not uncommon for passers-by to look on and make you want to wave to them like a king from the balcony of the palace while you are standing in the Microlino.
In order to be able to drive off, the vehicle electronics have to be brought to life with a classic ignition key, like the one once used in the VW Golf 4. Just starting up the on-board computer takes a few seconds. Sometimes it happens quickly, sometimes the computer needs a bit of startup. Once the Microlino has fully woken up, the handbrake lever must be released in the classic way and the driving mode switch must be turned to D. And here we go.
Silently is different
Silent gliding like other electric cars is alien to the Microlino. It whirs, whistles and roars. At higher speeds, it doesn't help to drown out this background noise with music from the Bluetooth speaker. If you want to talk on the phone while driving, it is better to wear a headset. The Knutschkugel – and the Microlino is one of the few cars of our time for which this friendly nickname seems appropriate – is unfiltered. This is also noticeable in the driving comfort, the steering without power assistance or the brakes without ABS and brake booster.
For a long time, the Mini brand advertised a supposed “go-kart feeling,” which in reality was not noticeable. With the communicative Microlino, however, you can actually read the road almost like you would with a go-kart. However, the modern Isetta also offers a certain level of suspension comfort, which can at least compensate for some of the hardness of the surface. However, when there are bumps in tight corners, the small 13-inch wheels briefly lose contact with the road. You can certainly find it entertaining if you use the sometimes odd driving behavior to sweep around corners with verve and a bit of daring.
Rear-wheel drive gives momentum
The rear-wheel drive, which in principle corresponds to that of the Renault Twizy, ensures the right momentum. With one person on board – the full-length bench offers space for two – the 12.5 kW/17 HP is entertaining. You can easily keep up with other cars in city traffic. Overland journeys are also possible, as the maximum speed is 90 km/h, which can last for longer periods on a flat route.
In exceptional cases you can even venture onto the motorway. However, if you go uphill, the speedometer reading falls below 80 km/h. Then you have to press the turbo button, which releases more power for a short time, which allows you to pull away from the jostling trucks.
Clearly a city car
In short: the Microlino is clearly a city car. Simply because of its modest range. 10.5 kWh of electricity can be taken with you on the trip, which enabled us to cover distances of almost 100 kilometers on our trips in predominantly cool to spring-like temperatures. Longer tours also become a problem because of the long charging times: it takes up to four hours until the memory is full. Its 2.5 meter short body also makes it ideal for city use, as you can find a parking space almost everywhere. The trunk is large enough to fit a weekly shop.
The Microlino also shows its greatest strength in city traffic: the role of the heartbreaker. With its cute design, it definitely offers a maximum flirt factor. It's a special pleasure to cruise past the many smiling pedestrians and cyclists in the sunshine with the roof open. It was particularly impressive when we let several dozen school children pass through a zebra crossing and every child, without exception, smiled happily at us.
Infectious good mood
Of course, the enthusiasm – which was also shared by the accompanying educators – was about the car. But the good mood that the Microlino triggers in others inevitably rubs off on the user. When you get in and out you are constantly asked about the car. And every one of these conversations is nice.
So if you are sociable, you will easily be able to get over the price of around 23,000 euros for our test sample. Especially since you can save on a subscription to Elite Partner in the future.
Microcolino “Pioneer Series” (10.5 kWh) – technical data
- L7e class micro electric car with one door
- Length: 2.52 meters, width: 1.47 meters, height: 1.50 meters, wheelbase: 1.57 meters, trunk volume: 230 liters
- Drive: Permanent magnet synchronous machine on the rear axle; 12.5 kW/17 HP, maximum torque: 89 Nm
- 0-50 km/h: 4.9 seconds, Vmax: 90 km/h, standard consumption (WLTP) 7.0 kWh/100 kilometers, CO2 emissions: 0 g/km
- Price “Pioneer Series: from 19,900 euros
- Price basic version “Edition Microlino”: from 19,490 euros