Malaysia is the first market in Asia to develop an example of the Microlino, an electric micro-car developed by micro-mobility systems and assembled in Turin, Italy. Currently sold at various European markets, the Microlino story started in 2016 when it was shown as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show of that year.
After he was involved in a legal battle, the Microlino 1.0 was extensively redesigned to become the Microlino 2.0, making the production version debut in September 2021. Since then, the Microlino Lite and Spiaggina variants have won, the latter is a limited edition with open sides and a convertible top, with a less powerful offer.
In its current form, the Microlino 2.0 model has a Unibody chassis in contrast to the 1.0 that a tube -shaped frame had, the company says that it is first in the heavy quadricycle segment and sees improvements in safety and stiffness. Moreover, the suspension now consists of Macpherson -Stutten around instead of a pushrod setup at the front combined with a stiff rear axle.
Clearly inspired by bubble cars from the 1950s such as the Isetta, the design instructions of the Microlino LED light strips include the front and back; Headlights integrated in the side mirrors and the only door is at the front that opens like a fridge, albeit driven. In contrast to bubble cars from the past, the steering wheel remains in place and does not move together with the door to make insertion and exit easier.
Inside, the simple dashboard is the home base of two digital displays: one acts as the digital instrument cluster and the other for climate controls. No infotainment system here, but there is an aluminum bar with which smartphones and Bluetooth -speakers can be cut, while it is also the handle to close the door.
The Microlino that is being viewed here today is the standard model with a Nikkelmanganese cobalt (NMC) or Nickel Cobalt Aluminum (NCA) battery with a capacity of 15 kWh for a WLTP-Rated range of 228 km. This feeds a rear electric motor with a rating of 17 PS (17 hp or 12.4 kW) and 17.9 Nm of torque, which is good for a time of 0-50 km/h of five seconds and top speed of 90 km/h.
In other markets, the Microlino can also be obtained with 5.5- (93 km) and 10.5 kWh (177 km) batteries, all of which get the same electric motor. Charging is only reached via AC at a maximum input of 2.2 kW, with a state of 0-80% in two (5.5 kWh), four (10.5 kWh) and 5.5 hours (15 kWh) or.
As these figures suggest, the Microlino is intended to be used in urban environments where space is limited and going fast is a rarity, such as in busy city centers. The small footprint of the EV also helps with this respect and measures only 2,519 mm long, 1,473 mm wide and 1,501 mm long. Within the wheelbase of 1,566 mm there is room for two passengers and 230 liters of boot room.
With its extra compact size (it is even smaller than the smart fortwo) and a low weight (between 496 and 530 kg depending on the battery), the microlino is classified as an L7e-Quadricycle by the European Union, which means that it can be driven by everyone with at least a motorcycle and/or autolification.
The Lite variant, which has a less powerful electric motor with 8 PS (8 hp or 6 kW), two battery options (5.5 and 10.5 kWh) and a much lower top speed of 45 km/h, receives the L6E classification. Depending on the country, drivers of the Microlino-Lite can be as young as 14 years old and do not require a driver’s license at all, although some people need a minimum AM-class driver’s license.
In Malaysia, however, the Microlino requires a competent driver’s license (CDL) with minimum class DA (automatic transmission cars with unloaded weight of up to 3500 kg; minimum age 17 years old). The EV is fully homologated for use in Malaysia, as you can see by the two locally registered units.
The company behind Microlino Malaysia is Go Daddy Motorsport Autotrader, with managing director thatuk Mohd Khairul who reveals that the Microlino will not be launched until the first quarter of 2026. This is because the company is waiting to see if EV stimulas will be expanded. The two left-wing drive units in the fleet are currently the only ones in Malaysia and can be rented via Flux for RM1,250 for five days.
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