A clone of the BMW Isetta and Microlino, the Evetta Openair is a two-seater electric convertible whose style is furiously similar to the iconic Smart Crossblade. Billed at €33,333, the Evetta Openair First Edition charges dearly for its exclusivity.
Remember the Smart Crossblade. Designed by the German coachbuilder Binz, it was a Smart convertible on which the roof, the windshield, but also the doors had been removed. The latter had been replaced by safety bars rising forward, while a tinted glass windscreen gave a semblance of protection to the driver and his passenger. At the time, the vehicle was priced at just over €25,000.
The German manufacturer of electric vehicles ElectricBrands, new owner of Artega which it saved from bankruptcy, seems to want to give descendants to the Crossblade via the Evetta Openair First Edition. It is a convertible based on the Evetta electric micro-vehicle, formerly Artega Karo, which is a carbon copy of the Microlino. Special feature of this microcar, it is 100% electric, and access to its board is from the front (the spacing of the front wheels and that of the rear wheels are not the same).
The Evetta Openair First Edition is a purely urban two-seater electric convertible whose soft top must be removed completely to enjoy the outdoors. Access on board is always from the front, while cutouts appear on each side of the occupants. On the engine side, the Evetta Openair First Edition has an 18 kWh battery, or 4 kWh more than the closed version, the Evetta Prima. As a result, the range is increased to 200 km. On the other hand, no technical information about the electric motor. We can assume that this should offer a power of 15 kW, like the original Microlino (see below).
This two-tone convertible comes standard with heating, LED headlights, pivoting chrome mirrors, aluminum rims, USB-C port, single-pedal driving, two driving modes (Eco and Sport) and a built-in loudspeaker. speaker.
With financing, it will be possible to add some options. Among these are offered a sports chassis, a dashboard with wooden inlay of a removable Bluetooth speaker, heated leather seats, a vegan leather hood, a wooden steering wheel, cruise control, a wireless start and locking via an app, a CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB+ compatible infotainment system, induction charging, anti-theft alarm, reversing camera, roll bar and chrome hubcaps…
There remains the cost of this city chip. Indeed, you will have to pay 33,333 € to acquire one of the 999 copies produced and deliverable in mid-2023. You can already order online for a deposit of €3,333. The least we can say is that exclusivity is paid for!
The Isetta or the Clone Wars
As we wrote a little above, the German manufacturer ElectricBrands has become the new owner of Artega, a former German car manufacturer known for its limited series GTs. As a result of the Covid crisis, the latter had gone bankrupt and had also found itself in dispute with the Swiss Micro Mobility Systems, the first to have cloned the BMW Isetta. The Microlino was unveiled in March 2018 at the Geneva Motor Show.
Initially, Micro Mobility Systems granted the development and production rights to the Italian Tazzari, a specialist in aluminum smelting technology and the supply of ultralight components for the automotive and motorcycle sectors. But, at the end of 2018, Artega took over the production rights from Tazzari and announced that the Microlino would be manufactured in Germany.
In 2019, Micro Mobility Systems accuses Artega of plagiarism. The reason: the Karolino, a carbon copy of the Microlino developed, it seems, behind the back of the Swiss company. At the time, Artega managing director Klaus Frers refuted the accusations, saying the Karolino was over 150 points better than the Microlino.
Micro Mobility Systems manages to ensure that the Karolino is not subject to any commercial advertising. However, Artega will succeed in presenting a model, called Karo, at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in September 2019. Subsequently, the two companies will find an agreement where each will continue to promote its own model (source Insideevs).
Regarding the “real” Microlino, it will be manufactured and produced by Cecomp, an Italian company created in 1978 and specialized in the manufacture of cars and prototypes. We owe him the Lancia Delta Integrale and the Golf 1, as well as the famous Bolloré Bluecar used by the late Autolib’. The Italian company Cecomp has five production sites in Europe.