PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Mirrow Provocator boxes above its weight

Meet the Mirrow Provocator, a four-seat city car that measures just 2.7 metres in length and features just one access door – at the rear.

The novel design is a development of the OneDoorCar first seen around three years ago.

Designer/inventor Alexander Malyshev expects the Provocator in the form you see it here will be just a starting point for a range of vehicles that can be built for various purposes – including a food truck...

Only marginally longer than it is high (2.04m) and wide (1.98m) the Provocator's boxy design leaves room between the seats on the left and those on the right for passengers to alight and take their seats. For passengers of average height the rear door is nearly large enough to walk through without stooping, at 1.7 metres.

According to the press release for the Provocator, interior space is comparable to an SUV or people mover for the front and second row seating. The company behind the Provocator has designed it for half its body weight to comprise recycled polymers. Four small doors that fold down are located alongside the seats, but are only to be used in emergencies.

The motive power for the Provocator is undetermined as yet, but internal-combustion engines displacing up to 1.5 litres have been proposed, for performance of 8.7 seconds 0-100km/h and a limited top speed of 140km/h. Hybrid and battery-electric variants are also said to be on the drawing board and all drivetrain components will be situated under the floor in a front-wheel drive configuration. A fuel tank and/or batteries will be located either side of the aisle, under the floor. This will lend the car added stability and reducing the centre of gravity. Battery-electric versions are expected to offer a range of between 350 and 450km.

While the Provocator leaves little room for luggage in a traditional way, the aisle can accommodate suitcases of up to 100 litres without significantly hindering egress, it's claimed.

The company promoting the Provocator, Mirrowcars, is based in Russia and plans to place the car in production, with assistance from partner companies in other markets for retail sales, parts and service support.