World's smallest car headed back into production

We have a hard time imagining anyone would find the Smart ForTwo uncomfortably large or the Scion iQ too big for their needs, but a group of businessmen in the UK believe there's a market for even smaller transportation. The group has resurrected the Peel brand, and the manufacturer is now accepting orders for both the P50 and the Trident. Both models will launch with a 49 cc two-stroke gasoline engine making just 3.35 horsepower, but buyers will also be able to choose one of two electric motors as well.

A brushless electric motor producing 1.6 horsepower and 2.5 pound-feet of torque can propel either vehicle to a golf-cart rivaling 15 mph. So equipped, the P50 and Trident deliver an operating range of around 50 miles. A more potent 4-horsepower motor is also available, which propels the three wheelers to a top speed of 50 mph with the same range. Both Peel models are limited to 28 mph.

With the Trident weighing just 130 pounds and the P50 tipping the scales at a slightly heavier 198 pounds, even the most atrophied among us should be able to drag the machines into a convenient parking space or elevator. As of the time of writing, only 9 of the 50 first limited edition Peel models remain available. Prices start at around $10,772, but if you want one, you'll need to place a $1,546 deposit

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/22/w...to-production/

 

They may sell a few thousand a year to people who live in London and other Euro cities with very oppressive regulations on fuel consumption, but there is no way even the tiniest American would buy one of those things. Its straight up death on wheels in even a minor collision

 

Agreed. Even the 500 and Smart here on our shores are pushing it. Americans want bigger cars. Dunno why Fiat ever thought a 50,000 sales goal of the 500 here was even plausible lol

 

I don't think a car that small would even be approved for road use here in the USA. lol

Also for $10k, I laugh at anyone who buys one

 

I do see another Top Gear special in it though.

 

I would never be seen in one of those lol

 

I can only see these being bought for the novelty factor. They're expensive and you wouldn't feel safe among traffic. I reckon you'd get no more than 100 yds before being run over by a London bus or a wagon - the driver thinking he'd run over a hedgehog. I'd rather cycle.

That said, the guy in the middle is James Caan, a well known entrpreneur, and he doesn't normally invest in losers.

 

Haha yeah I saw that as well.

@Big Andy

Haha yup it will remain a novelty or those who will buy it just for the heck of it. It can't be a vehicle for the masses just yet.

Haha for one thing, even if the vehicle is small, I still believe that it still has to pay for London's Congestion Charge. I'm also wondering what the VED classification will be as well as to whether it would pass EURO NCAP safety tests

 

Absolutely. I wonder how many cars they will need to try and jump with it. Didn't American Pickers come across one or two of these buried in the woods somewhere?

 

Vehicles emitting less than 100g/km of CO2 are exempt from the Congestion Charge so that includes vehicles like the Toyota Prius and Auris Hybrid plus some models of iQ and Yaris, Fiat 500 TwinAir, Smarts, some Ford Fiestas etc. They also don't pay Road Tax either. I would expect the Peel to be exempt too.

 

10k for the little tin can and death on wheels? I'd pass.