Modern Vespa

I am really taken with small, fuel efficient, street legal and economical transportation. I've been spending a few free moments scouring the internet and reading up on them. Today I found the smallest production car ever built. Here is a video with review by Jeremy Clarkson. Just priceless!

http://www.flixxy.com/tiny-car-review.htm

Here's one for the motomojo tri elite (covered) trike. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6hOA2C_XMA

And another for the Carver One! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g7l-JKJxys&feature=related

Very amusing, I remember Clarkson doing that! But from an efficiency point of view, the Peel P50 was a disaster.

Look at a Polo BlueMotion - 4 seats, 70+mpg, and if you crash it, your death isn't necessarily guaranteed 8)

The next generation of economical city cars from the likes of VW/Audi/BMW are going to be fantastic...wait a couple of years

Oh, I don't plan to jump into anything unless it is the "real deal". I am actually waiting for electric technology to improve substantively ... but one of these days, I am going to take the leap.

But I had no idea the Pell P50 was around in the 60's. They were way ahead of the times!

The VW "elektro-Up!" (I think that's what they call it) looks like a great car - I'd happily drive one, and I'm more of a V8 muscle-car sort of guy (with a conscience)

http://www.taz.de/uploads/hp_taz_img/xl/cyber_up_freibitte_5sp.jpg

http://microcarmuseum.com/info.html

http://www.bubblecarmuseum.co.uk/whatson.shtml
a couple of great places to look at already produced micro cars. Interesting that by calling them "micro" cars, we are asserting that there is a set size for autos and that these are smaller. Why not just call Suburbans "maxi" cars? Or more realistically, since many folks can't afford a home and a car and are now living in there vehicles, could we call them MAXI PADS??

I lived in a Honda Accord once. It was only for a couple of days but it sucked

I quite liked the little Peel car - I'm sure using a more modern and quieter scooter engine would help. Using the starter as a reverse gear might work. A convertible with a roll cage might help in keeping cool and getting in and out. A rack on the back would also be useful. Could air bags still be used for protection - I can picture both sides going off and the driver getting shot through the roof - perhaps that could be a feature.

I think it was someone on MV that said Carver filed for bankruptcy.

Funky stuff here:

http://www.evfinder.com/classifieds.htm

I like these, but I understand that their crash-worthiness is not all that hot. Probably due to the minimal front 'crumple zone'. Airbags can only do so much. You need to make sure the driver's compartment can remain intact.

Actually they pretty good! See the silver section that runs around the doors? It's a so-called "safety cell" that apparently works well. I wouldn't want to crash one into a Hummer, but they're better than an old Mazda or whatever

This is the smart car safety report (the car pictured above).