Micro Mobility Microlino brings bubble cars back to the UK

19th February 2024

Russell Campbell

Swiss company Micro Mobility has announced it will bring 300 examples of its Microlino bubble car, which starred at Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard back in 2021, to the UK more than 60 years after the original bubble car, the BMW Isetta, went off sale.

Microlino will compete with L7e micro cars like the Citroën Ami but is superior in most respects. It has an aluminium body with a monocoque chassis, which should offer more crash protection than the basic steel frame and plastic body panels found on the Citroen. You also get independent suspension all round.

With a maximum range of more than 140 miles, 0-30mph in around five seconds and a top speed of 56mph from its 17PS (13kW) motor and a four-hour charge time using a domestic plug, the Microlino is perfect for commuters who live far outside the city limits.

By contrast, an Ami has a range of just 75 miles and a 28mph top speed.

The Microlino’s party piece is its hinged nose, which means you can park in narrow spaces without having to worry about opening your doors – you and your passenger simply climb in through the front of the car.

Wider at the front than it is at the back at 2.5 metres long and 1.4 metres wide, Microlino’s about the same size as an early Smart ForTwo and enough to give the tiny car an impressive boot capacity of just under 230 litres.

Luxuries are limited. You get a digital display, a heated rear screen, flip-open windows and a manually opening roof and that’s about it, although an airbag is in the pipeline.

Limited specs are to be expected but what will take you by surprise is the Microlino’s likey £15,500 starting price – a cool double the cost of a Citroën Ami.