Microcars
03 January 2003, 10:48 AM
#1
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Anyone actually own/driven one?
Extract from IOL
They have two-cylinder diesel motors displacing less than 500cc and minimum power - even the 475cc with fuel-injection can only muster 12.9kW and about 29Nm of torque - but can cover up to 500km on just 16 litres of fuel.
Apart from that, and being called "quadricycles", they are real cars with four wheels and all the items you'd expect on a normal car - heater, wipers, headlights, seat belts, head restraints and external mirrors.
In Rome, a city of daunting hills and woeful public transport, droves of teens use profoundly dangerous mopeds. Many parents believe a minicar is a better alternative so spend anything up to about R100 000 to move their minors.
These vehicles - known as quadricycles, microcars and a variety of other names - aren't exactly normal automobiles. Here's why...
They're small. They sit low to the ground, have just two front seats and two gears - drive and reverse.
They can't legally go faster than 45km/h though kids tune them to reach 110km/h.
Unlicensed drivers are not allowed to carry a passenger, though the rule is widely ignored.
Minicars, because they are classified as mopeds, have no registration statistics and, worse, no accident statistics.
Extract from IOL
They have two-cylinder diesel motors displacing less than 500cc and minimum power - even the 475cc with fuel-injection can only muster 12.9kW and about 29Nm of torque - but can cover up to 500km on just 16 litres of fuel.
Apart from that, and being called "quadricycles", they are real cars with four wheels and all the items you'd expect on a normal car - heater, wipers, headlights, seat belts, head restraints and external mirrors.
In Rome, a city of daunting hills and woeful public transport, droves of teens use profoundly dangerous mopeds. Many parents believe a minicar is a better alternative so spend anything up to about R100 000 to move their minors.
These vehicles - known as quadricycles, microcars and a variety of other names - aren't exactly normal automobiles. Here's why...
They're small. They sit low to the ground, have just two front seats and two gears - drive and reverse.
They can't legally go faster than 45km/h though kids tune them to reach 110km/h.
Unlicensed drivers are not allowed to carry a passenger, though the rule is widely ignored.
Minicars, because they are classified as mopeds, have no registration statistics and, worse, no accident statistics.
03 January 2003, 03:51 PM
#2
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After reading the your link, they'll even more cars on the road. It's a good idea i would'nt mind one for the the 8 mile round trip i do for work. But having more people able to drive on the already congested roads can't be a good thing, ant the price ?...they forgot to mention that ! Also this doesn't insprire me with confidence !!!
Even adults banned from driving or folk with poor...
Even adults who have been banned from driving or have health or eyesight problems that would otherwise keep them off the road can move in a mini because they are classified as mopeds - for which a licence is not required.
Even adults banned from driving or folk with poor...
Even adults who have been banned from driving or have health or eyesight problems that would otherwise keep them off the road can move in a mini because they are classified as mopeds - for which a licence is not required.
03 January 2003, 06:34 PM
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