Microlino and XEV-YoYo meet the needs of modern cities, thanks to their innovative designs. Presented last October 2024 at the 21st edition of Autostyle Design Competition, Microlino and YoYo excelled in the new section devoted to urban mobility.
A tribute to the past, projected into the future
Microlino from Micro Mobility Systems AG, a Swiss company founded in 2016 and specializing in the development and production of compact electric vehicles with a focus on sustainable urban mobility, is a return to the origins of urban mobility, but with a modern, all-electric vision. Inspired by the historic BMW Isetta of the 1950s, the car reinterprets the microcar concept for the contemporary era, with a design that features soft, rounded lines, a distinctive front end with a single hinged door that opens to the front, and a compact shape to ensure practicality and efficiency, ideal for congested cities. Microlino’s 12 kW motor is coupled with an advanced electronic management system that optimizes energy use in real time. This system is designed to maximize engine efficiency by balancing power demand with vehicle range. Through effective braking energy recovery, Microlino is able to conserve some of the energy that would otherwise be lost during braking, helping to further improve the car’s range, one of the most valued aspects of the car. The motor is powered by an 8 kWh lithium-ion battery, which enables the vehicle-which can be recharged in about 4 hours via a standard home charge-to travel about 200 km on a single charge.
Its structure is designed to reduce weight and maximize energy efficiency. The car is built with lightweight and durable materials, such as aluminum and composite materials, further reducing its environmental footprint. At only 2.5 meters in length, this car offers excellent manoeuvrability while maintaining enough space for two passengers and a small cargo area. The cabin is simple and functional, with quality materials and a digital display that provides vital information such as charge level and remaining range.
The latest addition is the Microlino Spider concept, a convertible version that has 228 kilometers of range; in order to dispense with the roof and doors, it has dispensed with the large front door that takes up the entire front.
Minimalist and futuristic
YoYo is the brainchild of XEV, a group founded in Turin in 2018 to develop new urban mobility solutions. In fact, the vehicle represents a completely different vision for urban mobility, with a design that mixes minimalist and futuristic looks: it is a compact minivan, but with a silhouette of clean lines, sharp geometric shapes, and maximum attention to detail. Its body is optimized to be aerodynamic while maintaining a distinctive and eye-catching appearance. YoYo was conceived as a fully autonomous and connected vehicle, equipped with a 15 kW electric motor, a top speed of 110 km/h and a range of up to 250 km thanks to its 10 kWh battery.
One of YoYo’s key features is its Level 3 autonomous driving system, which enables it to operate without driver intervention in certain traffic conditions, making it particularly useful in crowded urban environments. YoYo’s built-in fast-charging system enables full charging in less than 30 minutes, thanks to charging power of up to 100 kW. In addition, YoYo is designed to be highly compatible with public charging infrastructure, allowing users easy access to the network of electric charging stations. Speaking of charging, the innovative Battery Swapping System recently debuted at the moment only for the B2B market: once the 10.4 kWh modular battery pack is exhausted, it can be removed and replaced with a fully charged one.
Finally, YoYo fits into the context of shared mobility. With an integrated digital platform, users can easily book, rent, and pay for vehicle use via a mobile app. In 2018, YOYO PRO, a super-equipped full electric quadricycle with a multifunction steering wheel, 10-inch touch screen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto configuration, was launched.
(by Lara Morandotti)
