With many cars and custom rides getting the downsize treatment,
it's safe to say that compact is the new black. Size apparently isn't everything,
and it shows with the popularity of mini vehicles.
Drivers want maximum power but with a minimum footprint.
Let's check out some of the best mini vehicles available in 2020 and 2021
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Built by mini-truck customizer and import company, Samurai Mini, this curious custom
is a one-of-a-kind conversion of the Daihatsu HiJet Deck Van made by Toyota. This fully-loaded
custom version of the crew cab has gotten a facelift with customized raised suspension,
14" UTV tires and wheels, Automatic 4WD suspension, and a new front grille.
Added to the custom deckvan are front and rear power windows and keyless fob entry.
Inside the fully enclosed and air-conditioned cab, you'll find seating for up to five people
with plenty of room for gear or luggage in the rear tray bed or on the roof.
The 660cc fuel-injected engine is more than enough for city driving and hauling medium-weight cargo.
It's got all the capabilities of an off-road vehicle, despite being considerably cheaper. It
retains its title as the safest, most equipped, and overall best built UTV on the market today.
Looking more like an enclosed Tron-style light cycle, the Strom-R3 by Indian urban mobility
company Strom motors is an interesting venture into the fast-growing electric mobility industry.
Rather than wait for the high price of batteries to slowly come down, Strom decided to innovate
and build the Strom-R3 around a reverse trike model. With this concept, they are able to create
a vehicle that is 40% lighter, more efficient, and with no sacrifice in safety or stability.
The Strom-R3 uses an extremely lightweight yet rigid tensile steel for its frame,
the same material used in race car roll cages. Strom claims in crash testing,
the Strom-R3 actually performed better than traditional cars and even some SUVs.
On-board, the R3 has a 10-16kWh battery pack powering a 15 kW AC induction motor
that is reported to travel up to 124 miles on a single charge. You won't have to wait long to top
up a dead battery, either. Fast chargers mean the battery is good to go after only 3 hours.
We couldn't cover mini vehicles without checking out the latest offering from
a company whose sole purpose is downsized driving.
Available in 2021, the new Countryman SAV or "Sports Activity Vehicle" from
manufacturer MINI is reportedly the lovechild between a go-kart and an SUV.
It's got more space than you'd think. You can comfortably fit five adults as well
as plenty of storage space in the rear cargo compartment for luggage and gear.
It's actually the largest vehicle MINI has ever produced.
The interior of the Countryman features gorgeous seat upholstery
and a central instrument display cluster with all the modern gadgets.
There are a few different options too. The standard model features a TwinPower Turbo,
1.5-liter, 3-cylinder direct-injection engine but can be upgraded to a TwinPower Turbo,
2.0-liter, 4-cylinder Valvetronic direct-injection in the 4WD model.
Similarly, electric hybrid models are also available
with the 2021 MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid.
Part dune buggy, part golf cart, this street-legal electric
vehicle from Moke has a surprising amount of versatility and options available.
The original frame was engineered as a military vehicle by the British in the 1950s.
It was supposed to be a lightweight car that could be parachuted from the skies
and be combat-ready upon landing. However, it soon became a cultural icon,
synonymous with sun, sand, and a laid-back attitude.
Fast forward 60 years and the Moke has had an upgrade for 21st century America.
It's slightly bigger and sturdier than its World War 2 predecessor. The tires have been raised
from a 13-inch rim to a 14-inch wheel, and an expanded windshield now protects more occupants.
It's also come a long way from its noisy, gas-guzzling cousin.
A whisper-quiet 12kWh battery powers a motor capable of speeds up to 25 miles an hour.
It also comes in utility models designed for conferences,
parks, airports, and other large, private venues.
Swiss company Micro-Mobility has just released an electric car that's been turning heads,
and it's all because of its stylish retro design and impressive specs.
Modeled after the Italian-designed Isetta microcar from the 1950s,
the Microlino oozes sleek retro charm.
The Microlino 2.0 is an updated version of their microcar released in 2016
and forms part of a suite of three electric vehicles now available in Europe.
Aimed at the increasingly popular micro-transport industry,
the Microlino is so small, it only takes up a third of a standard parking space.
New in the 2.0, up to two adults can now enjoy a body fabricated from aluminum
and steel as opposed to plastic from the original model. Further upgrades include
independent front and rear suspension, a new synchronous motor for improved efficiency,
and switching to lithium-manganese-cobalt-oxide batteries for high energy density. A full charge
takes just 4 hours from a standard electrical plug or one hour at fast-charge stations.
You could be forgiven for thinking we're showing the same car twice,
and there's a good reason for that. Micro-Mobility partnered with Italian EV-builder Tazzari to ramp
up production of the Microlino. Tazzari was then purchased by German brand Artega,
who released their own microcar that looked curiously similar.
Production was initially halted until Artega could prove there
was a significant difference between its Karo-Isetta and the Swiss Microlino.
The Karo-Isetta features a chassis comprised entirely of steel,
a slightly larger carrying capacity, and cargo area than the Microlino.
With a Range-Plus extended battery, it can take up to two riders of drives up to 125 miles.
While they don't make this list, here's 10 of the smallest new cars to hit the market in 2020
Sports cars don't have to be oversized, and the Fiat 124 Spider Range is proof of that.
Comprised of 4 different models, the Classica, Urbana,
Lusso, and Abarth, the Spider Roadster is blistering performance at a compact size.
While there's not a huge difference in performance between the four models,
the premium inclusions ramp up as we go up the range.
Starting at the Classica base model, the Spider seats two in comfort and luxury. The 16-inch
aluminum wheels are upgraded to 17-inch Black Diamond Aluminium wheels in the Urbana model.
The Lusso sports 17-inch premium silver aluminum wheels,
and the Abarth gets a gunmetal upgrade with performance tires and performance disc brakes.
The Abarth features performance suspension, sports mode selector,
and a 164 HP rating, 4 HP more than the other three models.
Mazda 2020 release of the MX-5 Miata is a classic reimagining of the famous Japanese
sports car design. The three models offered provide either entry-level,
mid-range, or premium level inclusions.
All three models carry a Skyactiv –G 4 cylinder, 2-liter engine that puts out an impressive 181
horsepower. In the base Sport model, features include lane departure warning systems, smart
braking support, and impressive LED headlights and tail lights. In the mid-range Club model,
the 9-speaker sound system gets an upgrade to Bose with Apple and Android integration.
The premium Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring model also offers adaptive front lighting,
heated, leather-trimmed interiors, and integration Mazda navigation.
German EV specialist Artega makes the list for a second time with its purely electric
successor to the impressive Artega GT that finished production in 2012. The
Artega Scalo is aerospace engineering that meets high-performance touring.
This time around, Artega has gone electric
while not sacrificing any of the power of its famous predecessor.
A 37 kWh lithium-ion battery back with super high-power capacitors can put out 300 kW volts
with a range of up to 250 miles! It's already impressive for an EV, but with an acceleration
of 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, there aren't many compact EVs on the market that can keep up.
When you run out of juice, a 64 kW DC quick charge can get you back on the road in less than an hour!
Before we check out #1, here's one we believe deserves a mention
The eRoadster by Electra Meccanica is a classic sports car with a modern electric performance
tucked away under the hood. Its timeless elegance married with an eco-friendly solution!
It's due to be released sometime in 2021, with Electra Meccanica now accepting pre-orders.
And the vehicle that started it all for Electra Meccanica, the Solo,
is the definition of compact electric transport. As the name suggests, it seats just one,
and the difference in weight means better efficiency. Utilizing the reverse trike design,
the Solo isn't a car, it isn't a bike, it's an electric vehicle in its own class.
With 99% fewer parts than a traditional combustion engine,
owners of the Solo can expect a drastically reduced maintenance bill and running costs.
The 17.3 kWh liquid-cooled battery charges in around two and a half hours over its
100-mile range, and with free charging stations popping up all over the place,
topping up has never been easier and cheaper!