If you’re in the market for a brand new car, what are some of your must-have features?
Perhaps a spacious interior, loads of safety features, or state-of-the-art technology!
If for some reason, you just want a ride that looks like something straight off of a toy store,
then look no further. Because today,
we’re test-driving the 10 Coolest Mini Cars You Won't Believe Exist!
What's up, fact-natics! This is Discovery Amuse,
serving up your daily dose of the most outrageous, outlandish, and out-of-this-world fun facts!
If hauling capacity is not a deal breaker,
then our top pick might just be your dream ride, so stick around for that!
#10: Myers Motors NmG
This little bad boy was miles ahead of others in this list, at least when it comes to nicknames.
The miniscule NmG manufactured by Myers Motors had two models: the “jellybean”
and a hatchback called “pizza butt” because it was literally meant to carry Domino’s pizza.
You may also have seen these cutie patooties in movies such as Austin Powers, and Looper!
Specs wise, the NmG is about 1,300 pounds, 96 inches long and 57 inches high. And it’s
no slouch on the road as it can run at a maximum speed of 75 miles per hour. When
it was first released in 1999, this 3-wheeled all-electric vehicle was way ahead of its time.
“I’ve got an ampmeter here that should tell me at all times how much energy I’m using,
and so a little game I like to play is how low can you keep the needle.”
If you thought that was badass, wait ‘til you see our top pick. It might just make you drool!
#9: BMW Isetta
This next minicar is just the epitome of “ridiculous,” and not in a good sense.
The Isetta was once licensed to BMW, who did sell some units from 1955 to 1962,
before sheer embarrassment took over, and BMW washed its hands off the tiny car.
The OG maker of this bizarre bubble car was an Italian company called Iso. In the early
years of World War II, Iso specialized in scooters and refrigeration systems.
No wonder the singular door of this mobile pod opens and shuts like an old-school fridge!
“This doesn’t shut or latch like a normal car door, instead it shuts and latches like
an old-time refrigerator, you shut it and twist the latch to make sure it’s actually closed.”
Under the hood is a 13 horsepower, 300CC engine that’s not exactly what you’d
consider a workhorse. And at just 52 inches high, 53 inches wide, and 90 inches long,
you'd be better off using this as a shopping cart than a full-fledged vehicle especially
when you’re more than 6 feet tall. But if you’re wondering how the Isetta fares in modern-day
streets and highways, here are the dudes from Throttle House taking it for a spin in 2020!
#8: Autobianchi Bianchina
If it’s Jay Leno-approved, shut up and take my money!
In 1955, Italian manufacturers Bianchi, Pirelli, and Fiat joined hands to form the Italian auto
company Autobianchi. And from the industrial marriage, the Autobianchi Bianchina was born.
With its 499CC, 18-horsepower engine, you don’t have to worry about getting a speeding ticket.
And this beauty sure wouldn’t look out of place in a fancy museum. The Trasformabile
model was released in 1957 and was the smallest in the lineup of Bianchina four-wheelers.
“It’s just a happy car, you cannot help but smile when you see it come down the road, nothing dark
or foreboding about it. It doesn’t look like you’re poor, it looks like you’re having fun.”
Unlike the other minicars, though, this one can accommodate taller passengers better because
it’s an open-top semi-convertible. Now if only versions as high-tech as
Lucy Wilde's Bianchina in Despicable Me!
#7: Fiat 600 Multipla
Since we mentioned Fiat in the previous entry, let me introduce you to another
iconic vehicle from the Italian automaker; the Fiat 600 Multipla compact minivan.
Now some may argue that this car is the ugliest vehicle to ever take on the streets,
but I think it has a unique old-world charm to it.
The retro vibes it gives off overpowers the weirdness of its exterior.
For a mini-car, it is far more spacious than others in this list.
The Multipla could sit up to six people while running on a 633cc engine. In the 1950s,
it ruled the European auto markets, and manufacturers from other countries
bought rights to create their versions of the car to cash in on its huge popularity.
#6: Lumeneo Smera
A car and motorcycle hybrid on the outside with jet fighter-style tandem seating inside,
this futuristic-looking beast could even tilt up to 20 degrees on either side!
There’s certainly a lot to love about the Smera by French auto company Lumeneo.
Introduced in 2008, the concept electric car weighs only 350 kilograms and is about
80 centimeters wide. But in just eight seconds, it can go from zero to a hundred kilometers per hour.
And with its narrow body that can lean side-to-side like a motorbike,
it's perfect for conquering the complicated traffic in big cities.
“I’m 6’2, almost 6’3, well over 200 pounds, while this car is a little snug, I definitely do fit.”
Too bad Lumeneo went bankrupt in 2013 after selling only ten
units of the Smera. But that doesn't erase the badassery of this vehicle.
#5 Toyota COMS
I don’t know about you, but the white and green variant of this
electric car looks like it’s Buzz Lightyear’s cousin twice removed.
*Buzz lightyear clip
This one is even more advanced than the Smera. The Toyota COMS is one of the smallest and
handiest electric cars ever, measuring only about 97 inches in length and 43.5 inches in width. So,
no wonder it can only accommodate a single person. But don’t let it’s teeny weeny frame fool you.
“The top speed of the COMS is 60 kilometers an hour,
average is 50 kilometers so it’s a car that is designed to be driven in the city centers.”
She’s quite the looker too so expect some side glances while you’re on the way to the
supermarket or running errands. A single full charge on the second-generation COMS
will be enough to take you a total of 31 miles, and it only takes six hours
to juice up. That’s an even faster charging time than some handheld devices right now.
#4: Smart Vision EQ
We're stepping into a whole new realm of modern technology with this minicar. The
Smart Vision EQ ForTwo concept vehicle is how prestige carmaker Mercedes
envisions the way we’ll use driverless smart cars in the future.
“You got this crazy blue lights, these doors that scissor up and down and sound like they’re in a
sci-fi movie, we’ve got lights along the floor, a big screen on the front that says las Vegas Blvd.”
It isn't the smallest vehicle at 106 inches long, around 67 inches wide, and 60 inches tall,
but it's certainly bound to be the smartest of them all. The idea is that you can connect it
to all your entertainment, business-related and social media accounts so, for instance,
while you’re on your way to work, you can check some emails or browse through your Twitter feed.
And the least thing you need to worry about is driving, because this autonomous ride has no
steering wheel or pedals whatsoever. The screen on the front is meant to communicate with the people
in its surroundings, like pedestrians crossing the street. Look! Even Supercar Blondie is impressed!
“This is frosted glass here, but we can unfrost it, watch this. It’s the small things guys.”
#3: Vanderhall Speedster
How much fun can you have on three wheels? How about a lightweight, all-aluminum minicar that
can go from zero to 60 miles an hour in 4.5 seconds, with top speed of up to 140 mph?!
“Let’s go ahead and downshift… Whoa it is fast.”
In 2019, Utah-based company Vanderhall unveiled the Venice Speedster, a 27,000-dollar
open-top road beast that invokes classic sports cars from the early 20th century.
Under the hood, the Speedster sports a GM-sourced 1.4-liter
inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that will satisfy any speed junkie.
“Over the regular car, they really applied the lotus principle of simplify and add lightness”
Better put those goggles on if you’re putting the pedal to the metal because
the miniscule windshield doesn’t offer much protection. And hitting the brakes
takes a little bit of a learning curve. But the generous storage space is enough for you to haul
everything you might need for your solo cross-country adventure.
#2: Brütsch Mopetta
If you've ever been in an arcade, then you might mistake this little guy to
be one of those stationary rides for tots. But apart from its cutesy egg-shaped body,
there’s nothing childish about this 3-wheeled toy for the big boys.
Only 5 of these vintage microcars exist to this day,
and one of the proud owners of the rare 1957 Brutsch Mopetta is dental surgeon and
car collector Alexander Sasha. The reason he continues to drive this vintage ride?
The smiles he gets out of it per gallon! ‘Coz, you know, he’s a dental surgeon after all.
“Trust me, driving the Mopetta
is by far more smile transforming than anything I do in a daily basis. And I
insist on driving it. I just park it outside of a restaurant and share it with the world.”
A man named Egon Brütsch was the brains behind this tiny wonder.
He was supposed to bless the world with 140,000 of these,
but the Opel Company that approached him for production backed out because of how small it
was compared to cars with big tailfins and massive engines to match at the time. Granted, this car is
not for everyone. But as Dr. Sasha says, the smiles it brings is well worth the price tag!
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#1: Half-sized 1970 Plymouth
The OG 1970 Plymouth is wacky enough when you see it in its full glory. The rare Superbird
has a bullet-shaped nose and a giant wing in the back, hence the name. You might be wondering why
I am rambling about this perfectly sized car? Well, behold its customized miniature version!
This is a custom half-sized Superbird,that treads the line between a kid’s toy and an
actual working vehicle. The two-feet high and nine-feet long fiberglass body sitting
on a go-cart chassis has made a lot of heads turn, mainly out of disbelief.
Just look at how the driver appears like a giant inside this tiny machine! The inside looks so
cramped there's no room even for your thoughts. Have to admit though, it's pretty sensational.
So, which of these insane microcars sent you into
overdrive? Sound off your thoughts in the comments section below!
Take home any of our exclusive gear by browsing our merch shelf or clicking
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If that fueled your need for speed then don’t miss our countdown
of the 12 Most Incredible Vehicles That Actually Exist!
‘Til then, stay unique, fact-natics! And see you in the next video!