What is the smallest car in the world?
Peel P50
The Peel P50 is a three-wheeled microcar originally made from 1962 to 1965 by the Peel Engineering Company on the Isle of Man, and then from 2011 to present. It was listed in the 2010 Guinness World Records as the smallest production car ever made. [4] The original model has no reverse gear, but a handle at the rear allows the very lightweight car to be maneuvered physically when required.
Designed as a city car, it was advertised in the 1960s as capable of seating «one adult and a shopping bag.» The vehicle’s only door was on its left side and equipment included a single windscreen wiper and one headlight. Standard colours were Daytona White, Dragon Red, and Dark Blue. The 1963 model retailed for £199 when new (about £6,600 in 2019, or US$8,500). The company produced 50 P50s, of which 27 are known to still exist, one of which was sold for a record US$176,000 at a Sotheby’s auction in March 2016. [5]
In 2010 Peel Engineering Ltd. in England reinstated manufacturing of the P50 and Trident models from its premises in Sutton-in-Ashfield, England. [6] Externally this car is very similar to the original, with the same dimensions and kerb weight as the original, but with mechanical differences in the suspension, steering, and drive-train, and a fully functioning reverse gear, ensuring they are road-legal under today’s rules. Production included petrol models with a 49 cc four-stroke engine and electric models with an electric moped motor and gelled-electrolyte batteries. The top speed of both cars is about 28 mph (45 km/h).
Statistics [ edit ]
At 54 in (137 cm) long and 39 in (99 cm) wide [7] and with an unladen weight of 130 pounds (59 kg), as of 2021 [update] the P50 holds the record as the smallest car ever to go into production. [4] The Peel P50’s diminutive size and width means that it can quite easily fit through doorways and enter buildings, as demonstrated by Jeremy Clarkson during a sequence on a 2007 episode of Top Gear, where a blue P50 was driven through the BBC’s Television Centre.
1962–1966 [ edit ]
The original P50 used a 3 cu in (49.2 cc) DKW single-cylinder engine, which gave it a top speed of approximately 37 mph (60 km/h), and was equipped with a three-speed manual transmission that had no reverse gear. [8] Consequently, turning in a confined area could be achieved only by pushing, or lifting the car using the handle on the rear and physically pulling it round. The makers and users claim fuel consumption of 100 mpg‑imp (2.8 L/100 km; 83 mpg‑US).
In 1963, as a publicity stunt, a Peel P50 was taken to the top of Blackpool Tower in the lift and driven around the observation balcony. [9]
At least one prototype, the Peel P55 Saloon Scooter, has also survived. Unlike the production Peel P50 (along with all developments and replicas thereof), this prototype used the less stable layout of a single wheel at the front and two at the back.
Approximately 47 Peel P50s were sold at £299 each.
On 15 February 2013 at the Bruce Weiner RM Auction a genuine 1964 Peel P50 (Registration number ARX 37B) achieved in excess of US$120,000 (£80,000).
Since 2011 [ edit ]
In 2011 businessmen Gary Hillman and Faizal Khan went to the Dragons’ Den asking for £80,000. They got the investment and started a new company to put their revised models into production. Three replica models were available initially: Gas, Eco and Fun. The line was later reduced to two: the Petrol and Electric models. These are hand-built to order in Sutton-in-Ashfield by Micro Car Specialists for the domestic and export markets.
In 2018 it was reported that Peel Engineering sells around fifteen P50s annually, plus ten or so continuations of its bigger sister, the two-seat bubblecar Peel Trident. [10] The conventional piston engined P50 is more requested in the UK, priced at £14,879 – whereas greater demand for the Peel comes from the US, where the electric model (at £13,679) helps owners to comply with emissions regulations.
Legal status [ edit ]
Peel P50
The original Peel P50 has always been road-legal in the UK, though the many replica versions are classed as Kitcars and as such, require MSVA inspection for 3 wheel Moped or 4 wheel Quadricycle. It is street-legal in the US. Cars were exported to other countries, [11] sometimes being classified as a moped (e.g. the P50 that went to Finland). [12] In the Netherlands there are two original Tridents registered as tricycles, but the Trident replica with the 50cc engine and 59 km/h (37 mph) top speed was registered as a moped. In Amsterdam the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not museum has one. Due to local traffic rules it may not be driven on the cycle path. In Wassenaar the Louwman Museum had an original P50 on display; it was on the poster of the «Dwarfcar» themed exhibition.
See also [ edit ]
References [ edit ]
- ^«BBC Isle of Man — History — The small car with the big reputation». Douglas, Isle of Man: BBC Isle of Man. 20 March 2008 . Retrieved 23 May 2009 .
- ^
- «The World’s Smallest Production Car — The Peel P50». Vince’s Worthwhile Website . Retrieved 23 May 2009 .
- ^
- «1964 Peel P50».
- ^ ab
- Craig Glenday, ed. (2009). Guinness World Records 2010 (56 ed.). Guinness World Records Limited. p. 162. ISBN978-1904994497 .
- ^
- «Peel P50: Tiny car that sold for big bucks» . Retrieved 27 April 2017 .
- ^
- «Sutton-in-Ashfield firm wins order for new microcars». BBC News. 16 December 2013 . Retrieved 27 April 2017 .
- ^
- Top Gear. «Tiny A-Peel». Series 10 Episode 3. London: BBC Worldwide . Retrieved 23 May 2009 .
- ^
- «1964 Peel P50».
- ^
- Currie, Bob (23 May 1963). «Fresh air and fun». Motor Cycle. Iliffe Specialist Publications. 110 (3128): 622.
- ^New Peel P50L a drive in the world’s smallest car – Autocar
- ^
- «PEEL P50». Register of Unusual Microcars. Archived from the original on 19 February 2020 . Retrieved 23 May 2009 .
- ^
- «Maailman pienin auto — Pirteä Peel P50″ (in Finnish). Archived from » the original on 30 March 2009 . Retrieved 28 December 2013 .
Smallest cars in USA sorted by length
Discover and compare the new smallest cars in the US market sorted by length with photos of the exterior and interior of each of the shortest cars.
☞ For longer vehicles, see subcompacts and compacts.
☞ For small cars not new but maybe used, see search by make.
Choose any small car from the list below and easily compare it to any other showing their interiors as:
2022 Chevrolet Spark
With its tiny length, this is the smallest car on the list (the shortest car).
Exciting and responsive, Chevrolet Spark lets you handle turns and tight parking spots when you’re driving around town looking for adventure. It offers what you need to stay connected and has a spectrum of bold color choices to perfectly suit your style.
Decked out with innovative entertainment and connectivity technology, Chevy Sp.
2020 MINI Hardtop 2-door
Thanks to clever engineering and despite its short length, MINI cars have always been surprisingly big on the inside. In fact, many tall people specifically buy MINIs because it’s one of the only cars they’re comfortable in.
Start with an ultra-rigid body. Push the wheels all the way to the corners to maximize cockpit space — and create a wide, go-kart stance. Turn the engine sideways to crea.
2021 Mitsubishi Mirage
With a city-smart size, a very competitive turning radius, and all the cargo capacity you need, the Mitsubishi Mirage is compact and spacious, perfect for adventures, errands and everything in between.
Mirage’s small size and competitive turning radius make it the perfect companion for navigating narrow city streets, maneuvering sharp corners and fitting snugly into tight parking spaces.
.
2020 Mazda MX-5
Over its four generations, the Mazda MX-5 has remained an authentic, lightweight sports car. Its engaging, open-air driving style has been discovered by hundreds of thousands of people all over the world, making the MX-5 the best-selling roadster of all time.
The taut, muscular design charges dramatic new life into the MX-5. Stunning from every angle, it’s almost as exciting to look at as it .
2020 MINI Hardtop 4-door
The turbocharged motoring icon, with double the doors.
Powered by a MINI TwinPower turbo engine developed with the BMW Group, this MINI Hardtop is loaded with premium features and is built for sharing. Or for having a little more MINI all to yourself.
Every MINI Hardtop 4 Door has 3 driving modes you can switch on the fly, standard. For extra punch, use Sport Mode to automatically adjust.
2021 BMW i3
The BMW i3 is built using two lightweight components — an aluminium Drive Module, and a Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) Life Module for passengers. The lighter weight helps increase range while the Drive Module provides a lower center of gravity for improved maneauverability of this electric small car.
New available exterior colors like Galvanic Gold with Frozen Grey Metallic highlight.
2022 Ford EcoSport
The Ford EcoSport is designed to help you move freely. Its compact size and available Intelligent 4WD are perfect for maneuvering new terrains. No matter where you go, EcoSport comes prepared and in style with a comfortable interior and intelligent technology to help you take on the world.
The Ford EcoSport brings elegance and comfort to you and your passengers with available interior ameniti.
2023 Hyundai Venue
A forward-thinking SUV for a fast-paced life, Hyundai Venue was made to conquer the city. Small, nimble and safe, Venue is a powerhouse that gets the job done, with features and advanced technology that look out for you, to keep you moving, connected, and best of all, safe.
Hyundai Venue’s got the tech to make you feel like you’re tackling everything at once. With safety features that have yo.
2020 FIAT 124 Spider
Originally introduced in 1966, the FIAT 124 Spider is back with a vengeance. With the turbo engine and powerful four-cylinder, the convertible FIAT 124 Spider pays homage to its European racing heritage. Beautiful Italian styling accented by luxurious finishes will turn heads at every corner. Inspiration for adventure comes standard on every FIAT 124 Spider.
When driving with the top down and.
2023 Kia Rio 5-door
The stylish and sporty Kia Rio 5-Door is designed to pack maximum fun into a practical hatchback.
Simple, strong, sculpted. The Rio 5-Door’s front end seamlessly integrates standard multi-reflector headlights with Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille. A sleek design with a dynamic profile flaunts the Rio 5-Door’s athletic silhouette, standing stylishly on available 15-inch alloy wheels. Featurin.
Five Smallest Cars in the World
Beijing, Moscow, New York, Paris, Sidney. All these and other rapidly growing cities have a common issue — too many cars on the streets that cause a traffic jam. In the last 20 years, the variety of car brand representatives have doubled. At the beginning of 1990, the 7th series of BMW cars looked like sedans of impressive size. Today, the same measurements of bodywork are applied to middle-class 5th series. If you would like to witness the inverted growth of the car, we suggest familiarizing with the tiniest vehicles of the world. Cars so small they can fit into any parking spot, and Arnold Schwarzenegger himself could carry these cars instead of a sports bag.
The Fuldamobil
Germany is a land of fast and powerful cars. Everyone knows that. Germany is also a homeland of non-traditional, experimental car designs. Engineers come up with crazy ideas for several reasons. One of them is a desire to create an effective, eco-friendly means of transportation that wouldn’t necessarily look like an overworn shoe. Fuldamobil is a manufacturer that does not obey any rules. Besides that, behind the company’s history hides a fascinating person named Norbert Stevenson. He was an independent journalist with a keen interest in car’s design subtleties. Eventually, he gathered similar-minded people into one group and opened a factory that built small vehicles. In a relatively short period, Fuldamobil released several different models with minor changes. These cars indeed managed to attract the attention of industry specialists, but only for 5 minutes.
Fram King Fulda S-7
© wheelsage.org photo
Fram King Fulda S-7
© wheelsage.org photo
Vespa 400
Vespa brand name is usually found on scooters which quickly navigate through the city’s traffic jam. However, during the ‘60s, Vespa’s board of directors tried to enter the mass production with this stylish, rear-wheel drive convertible. Only 2,8 meters in length, the car had a 0,4 liter, two-cylinder gasoline engine that, compared to the majestic modern vehicles, looks funny. Still, a tiny 375 kg car was dynamic enough and fit the crowded city streets perfectly. In this list, Vespa 400 is one of two models that achieved commercial success. In 1958 alone, Vespa sold more than 12,000 of these tiny cars which infested the roads of France and Italy.
Vespa 400
© Vespa archive
Vespa 400
© Vespa archive
Peel P50
A dwarf Peel P50 became famous thanks to the creative team of „Top Gear“, and is crowned as the tiniest car in the world. That is because there were no other brave souls to build a car that is only 134 cm in length, 99 cm in width and almost one meter in height. The original Peel P50 was launched at the beginning of the ‘70s and produced from 1962 until 1965. Unfortunately, extraordinarily tiny and cheap car appealed only for a small audience that didn’t care much about crowded parking spaces at the time. Now, the authentic Peel P50 is worth more than a brand new Porsche 911. Not so long ago, one P50 model was sold in the classic car auction for a staggering price of 124,000 Euros.
Peel P50
© wheelsage.org photo
Peel P50
© wheelsage.org photo
Commuter Cars Tango
The electrification of the automotive industry has already begun, and it doesn’t seem like it’s going to stop anytime soon. While the electric car supporters are happy about it, technology creators are stressing out as they believe their ideas were realized too soon. Commuter Cars Tango is a car of 99 cm width and 2,5 m length that the engineers of the US-based company expected to sell for… 108,000 Dollars. Car creators tried to justify the high price by boasting of specific Tango T600 features, such as its dynamic. This midget can reach up to 100 km/h in 3,2 seconds. In the right conditions, the car went at a max of 240 km/h.
Tango T600
© wheelsage.org photo
Tango T600
© wheelsage.org photo
Isetta
This tiny, egg-shaped car looks like it’s from the future even by today’s standards. Produced in the early ‘60s, Isetta caught the attention of a large car manufacturer. In 1955, BMW bought the license for manufacturing Isetta. After making some changes, they believed they obtained the most popular car of all time that runs on just one-cylinder engine. Three years after presenting BMW Isetta to the public, brand’s representatives were excited that a model of 13 horsepower found more than 160,000 owners around the globe.
