A six-foot businessman has become the first person in Britain to buy a new Italian car – but there’s a catch.
Richard Carter, founder of card payment app Lopay, purchased the Microlino Bubble Car last month and is now awaiting delivery of the sparkling new Italian e-motor to his south London home.
However, it might be a bit of a tight squeeze as the micro machine measures just 8.25ft long by or 4.8ft wide and 4.9ft high – leaving 6ft 3 Richard able to poke his head through the sun roof.
The father-of-two is not put off by the size and plans to order 30 more of the £17k cars for his business force.
He also has an even more important job in mind for the mini motor – using the Microlino to drop off his 10-year-old Sophie daughter on the school-run.
A British businessman has become the first person in the UK to buy the new ‘Bubble Car. Despite being one of the world’s smallest motors, the manufacturers have ensured that all mod-cons are taken care of including a Bluetooth speaker in place of a radio
Richard Carter plans to drive his 10-year-old daughter, Sophie, to school in the new motor
Lopay boss Richard, who founded the card payment app two years ago, said: ‘As soon as I saw the Microlino I thought I’ve got to get one.
‘They’re fun, surprisingly quick and incredibly spacious even at 6 foot 3, the car is enjoyable and is a marked difference to anything I’ve ever driven in the past.
‘The car puts a smile on people’s faces and that’s what I aim to do both in business with Lopay, the UK’s lowest-cost highest rated app and in life.
‘I even plan to take my daughter to school in it, it’s easy to park and will make the school-run a dream.
‘Once her friends see her rock up in this little beauty, I am sure they’ll be badgering their own parents to get one – you do get a lot of attention driving one of these.’
Richard’s daughter Sophie, 10, added: ‘I think I’ll be the only pupil turning up in one of these’.
The arrival of new mini-motor – made by the same firm behind the children’s scooters – on Britain’s streets is a throwback to the popular Bubble Cars of the Swinging Sixties.
But, unlike its 1960s predecessor, the Microlino is electric, can be charged in just four hours by plugging it into a socket at home and can travel up to 140 miles on one charge.
Despite being one of the world’s smallest motors, the manufacturers have ensured that all mod-cons are taken care of including a Bluetooth speaker in place of a radio.
Unlike its 1960s predecessor, the Microlino is electric, can be charged in just four hours by plugging it into a socket at home and can travel up to 140 miles on one charge
Richard will enjoy making the most of his new wheels as he takes it around the capital with the Italian-made motor marketed as perfect for city driving.
The Microlino will be used by the company to ensure their marketing teams can spread the word about the low-cost app throughout England, Wales and Scotland.
The 10.5 kWh (17 Hp) Microlino tops out at an impressive 56 miles per hour including sunroof, crash bar, disc brakes, airbags and an anti-lock braking system.
The car is offered with three separate battery options with a range between 58 and 140 miles of driving before a charge is required.