Malaysia is the first market in Asia to preview the Microlino, an electric micro car developed by Zurich-based Micro Mobility Systems and assembled in Turin, Italy. Currently sold in various European markets, the Microlino story started in 2016 when it was shown as a concept at that year’s Geneva Motor Show.
After being embroiled in a legal battle, the Microlino 1.0 was comprehensively re-engineered to become the Microlino 2.0, with the production version making its debut in September 2021. Since then, the Microlino has gained Lite and Spiaggina variants, the latter being a limited edition with open sides and a convertible top, with the other being a less powerful offering.
In its current form, the Microlino 2.0 model features a unibody chassis unlike the 1.0 that had a tubular frame, which the company says is a first in the heavy quadricycle segment and sees improvements in safety and rigidity. Additionally, the suspension now consists of MacPherson struts all around rather than a pushrod setup at the front paired with a rigid rear axle.
Clearly inspired by bubble cars from the 1950s such as the Isetta, the Microlino’s design cues include LED light strips at the front and rear; headlamps integrated into the side mirrors and the only door is at the front that opens like a fridge, albeit powered. Unlike bubble cars of the past, the steering wheel stays in place and doesn’t move together with the door to make ingress and egress easier.
Inside, the simple dashboard is home to two digital displays: one acting as the digital instrument cluster and the other for climate controls. No infotainment system in here, but there is an aluminium bar that allows for smartphones and Bluetooth speakers to be clipped on, while also being the handle for closing the door.
The Microlino previewed here today is the standard model with a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) or nickel cobalt aluminium (NCA) battery with a capacity of 15 kWh for a WLTP-rated range of 228 km. This powers a rear electric motor rated at 17 PS (17 hp or 12.4 kW) and 17.9 Nm of torque, which is good for a 0-50 km/h time of five seconds and top speed of 90 km/h.
In other markets, the Microlino can also be had with 5.5- (93 km) and 10.5-kWh (177 km) batteries, all of which get the same electric motor. Charging is only via AC at a max input of 2.2 kW, with a 0-80% state of charge reached in two (5.5 kWh), four (10.5 kWh) and 5.5 hours (15 kWh) respectively.
As these figures suggest, the Microlino is meant to be used in urban settings where space is limited and going fast is a rarity, like in busy city centres. The EV’s tiny footprint also helps in this regard, measuring in at just 2,519 mm long, 1,473 mm wide and 1,501 mm tall. Within its wheelbase of 1,566 mm, there is space for two passengers and 230 litres of boot space.
With its extra-compact size (it’s even smaller than the smart fortwo) and low weight (between 496 and 530 kg depending on the battery), the Microlino is classified as a L7e quadricycle by the European Union, meaning it can be driven by anyone with at least a motorcycle and/or car licence.
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, gets the L6e classification. Depending on the country, drivers of the Microlino Lite can be as young as 14 years old and don’t require a driving licence at all, although some need to have a minimum AM-class licence.
In Malaysia, however, the Microlino requires a competent driving licence (CDL) with minimum class DA (automatic transmission cars with unloaded weight not exceeding 3500 kg; minimum age 17 years old). The EV is fully homologated for use in Malaysia, as you can tell by the two locally-registered units, although we were told you can’t drive it on major interstate highways.
The company behind Microlino Malaysia is Go Daddy Motorsport Autotrader, with managing director Datuk Mohd Khairul revealing that the Microlino won’t be launched until the first quarter of 2026. This is because the company is waiting to see if EV incentives will be extended. The two left-hand drive units in its fleet are currently the only ones in Malaysia and is available for rent through Flux for RM1,250 for five days – one is a Pioneer Series edition while the white one is a Dolce trim level.
As for pricing, Microlino Malaysia isn’t providing a figure for now. Based on the brand’s official website, the EV in Lite guise starts from 15,990 Swiss francs (about RM84k), while the standard model and Spiaggina are from CHF17,990 (RM95k) and CHF24,990 (RM132k) respectively. Given this is fully imported (CBU) from Italy, EV incentives will help a lot in keeping the price down here. CBU EVs are currently exempted from import and excise duties until December 31, 2025.
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Wow, copy of the classic Iso and Isetta,
Malaysian will be Malaysian, and drive this damn thing on the highways. B***l, sama macam Malaysian yg bawak 70km/h di kawasan AES 110km/h.
Make the top speed 120-140km/h, please. Surely people will drive it on the highways. Kapchai pun boleh bawak atas highways. Otherwise, it will be a nuisance.
Is this Swiss copy of Iso and Isetta cars comfortable?
Then can bring this microcar into kapcai lane on federal highway? Easy to bypass the traffic jams.
Firstly how many NCAPs, or else how many kneecaps will smash.
Klang road closures Sept 27-29, October 1-2 for Selangor royal wedding – i remember seeing some pictures 10-12 years ago of him wearing lipstick and makeup , getting real cosy with a couple of other guys if you know what i mean
At 84k for base model, say hi. And then bye bye.
so all you bashers should be more grateful that ccp is subsidizing your cars , if not for china then this tiny toy car is wht you would get for RM84k.
Firstly with front hatch access, what will happen if there’s front impact ? Will the passenger still able to exit the vehicle? NCAP star rating needed before release on the road. Since it can sprint to 90, normal crash test is still needed.. NCAP test mostly less than 90km/h.. if I m not wrong
Whoever buys this need to know that it is meant for city driving and not highways….
Frankly, paying over RM80,000 for this car is not justified. For the same budget, one could opt for more established and reliable models like the Axia, Myvi, Ativa, Saga, or Bezza, which offer significantly better value. Moreover, this vehicle’s safety claims are unconvincing, and it does not inspire confidence even in a minor collision.
This car are much more practical living in small island country such as Singapore, Maldives, trinadad&tobago and Vanuatu but in big country, its not practical. Even japan, they stop producing this kind of cars back in 60’s and replace it with kei car which is more practical
Sure mati if aksiden
I saw these 2 on Sprint Highway this afternoon. Personally I wouldn’t feel safe on any highway in one.
This is the most overpriced, stupid car motorcycle like thing I have seen yet.
European misguided pipe dream? It might work in small remote Italian town / village, but not here.
To be fair, any micro / sub A segment vehicle that cost this much won’t have any demand here.
I can buy 6 axias for rm130k
RM84K indicative pricing. WLTP-rated range of 228 km. Top speed of 90km/h. Cannot be driven on highways. Can this car even sell?
Honestly as someone who only gets a car because I don’t feel safe on a motorcycle, having a protective shell at least makes this a very viable mode of daily transport. 85% of my car use is to and from work which is just me alone anyway, this form factor makes a lot of sense. I see this segment going to be popular for both people like me, and for motorcyclists that do desire being a lot safer in a protective shell.
The price though.
I LOVE The Micro Company’s Microlino!
I got to know it from Facebook (FB) 2 years ago, from one of the casual browsing on their recommended ‘Reels’ videos one fine day.
The alternatives to the above mentioned, which I also like, are Citroën Ami AND Toyota C+pod, although the Japanese carmaker decided to end its production, quite possibly due to underwhelming demand in the made-in-Japan bubble car.
Howecer and surpringly in Europe, the demand’s quite overwhelming for The Stellantis Group!
Many automotive ‘influencers’ / ‘YouTubers’ (YT) offer great reviews, behind-the-scenes, and comparison on these 3 quadricycle EVs on their respective TikTik videos and YT channels.
The ONLY setback is the pricing of Microlino, which I’d highly expected of back then, if it were to be brought in and driven on the road legally under our current Federal transportation laws.
Is this tricycle comfortable, not nauseatic?
I am interested
This thing will make you look like dumb and dumber if you drive it on the highway…
” although we were told you can’t drive it on major interstate highways.”
How would this be enforced? Afaik, there’s currently no Malaysian laws regulating cars based on their specs
Is there…. a cooling system apart from the window
45kmh as top speed is kinda wild
interstate highway means cannot cross state. KL to Selangor is technically cross state. But i guess it can go AKLEH from klcc to ampang. Enforecement wise how to implement is puzzling