Rinspeed Micromax set for Geneva debut
Swiss niche carmaker set to unveil its take on the future of mobility at next March's Geneva Motor ShowRinspeed has a habit of unveiling wacky concepts at the Geneva Motor Show, but the Swiss customiser/inventor has created a far more sedate box on wheels dubbed the Micromax for the 2013 edition of the motoring expo.
Tailored for ferrying four occupants and a small amount of cargo on short hops across town, the Micromax is noteworthy for the miniscule road space it occupies, measuring just 3.6m long – slightly shorter than a MINI Cooper.
That said, it literally towers over the 1.4m tall MINI, with its 2.2m roofline dwarfing even the average basketball player.
The high roofline has enabled its designers to come up with upright seats in which passengers perch in an almost standing position. This liberates extra floor space that can be used to carry a pram, shopping cart or other items.
In the words of the press blurb, the airy interior is meant to “afford and outstanding sense of spaciousness, with homey lounge character”.
Adding to the homely feel, the Micromax comes with a coffee maker and a refrigerator “for the passengers’ happy-hour drinks”, as well as unlimited connectivity for entertainment or for working while on the move.
Explaining the rationale behind the concept, Rinspeed boss Frank M Rinderknecht said, “Micromax aims to encourage potential passengers to get in and ride because it is extremely convenient and simple. And every passenger decreases CO2 emissions and costs -- even the number of traffic jams falls.”
The press release doesn’t outline any tech details pertaining to the Micromax, other than to state it’s propelled by an all-electric powertrain.
According to Rinspeed, the vehicle can be configured in multiple configurations, such as a delivery van, tradesman’s workhorse or taxicab… or simply a passenger car for personal use.
No word as yet whether the Micromax is destined for small-scale production, but we’ll be able to tell you more from the Geneva Motor Show in March 2013.
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