Little Cars: Scooter Tech & Quadricycles

Little Cars:
Scooter Tech & Quadricycles
return home

Here is information concerning a new development in "little cars": many new ones are using scooter technology, which gives high reliability and durability at relatively low price. These are excellent for in-town driving of all sorts, and when they have engines of less than 50cc, they can often be licensed as motorbikes (motorized bicycles) instead of motorcycles or automobiles. When they have engines of 50cc or higher, they can often be licensed as motorcycles, instead of automobiles. In many jurisdictions, this means that they do not require insurance, or require only less-expensive motorcycle insurance, or may be driven on lesser drivers' licenses. Other new vehicles are arriving, always four-wheeled, called "quadricycles" (note the letter i); it is thought these are often at least partially scooter-derived, too.

The Scoot-Coupe The Panther Motors Scoot-Coupe is doing rather well in the U.S. It has three wheels, and a 49cc Piaggio engine. 35 MPH rated max. Reportedly very high quality indeed. $4500 new. Full specs are here. Several U.S. dealerships and rental locations are listed here. Panther Motors is well-prepared to ship these, and they arrive ready to gas up and drive.	The Suntrike The Suntrike appears to be an excellent recent arrival to the market. Three wheels, 49cc. 40 MPH max stock, but engine upgrades and restriction removals are available. Looks a whole lot like the Scoot-Coupe, but is using a Taiwanese engine, and other distinctions too. This machine is definitely being picked up by lots of retailers. One of them, including straightforward specs, is here. From this source, it is $6,499.	The Funtech Scootcar The Funtech Scootcar appears to be the third primary option within the USA. 49cc again, and three wheels, but it has (and, reportedly, requires) two additional outriggers to handle fast turns. 25 MPH max according to this renter's site. Only one U.S. company listed as a dealer by the manufacturer, and that's on the second floor (?) of a building in Oakland, CA. There do appear to be quite a few rental shops in San Francisco and a few other places, according to Google , which will often sell as well.
The Scoot-Coupe 125 There is a 125cc-powered Scoot-Coupe in development. More info will appear here, when there is more available!	The Carbone This is a very new four-wheeled little creature, 400cc engine, made in France, being imported to the USA by Cycle Imports. Top speed 68 MPH. Specs are pretty clear, and rather impressive, via the link on this web page . According to Cycle Imports' salesperson by email, they're asking $9500.	The Funtech 125 and 350 There do exist Funtech Scootcars with 125 and 350cc engines, with four ordinary wheels. However, these do not appear to have made it to the USA yet.
The Trigger Scooter Car The Trigger seats two. Three wheels, 49cc. 30 MPH rated max. From crazy-cars.de , these are approximately US$6100. Full specifications are available from the company home page . As of early 2005, there were at least two dealers and renters of these in the USA; at this writing, there appear to be none at all.	Best Price ATVs is not offering little cars per se, but this page on their site has stimulated thought. This site is being composed in Topeka, Kansas, USA, and at least in Kansas, if one outfits an ATV with the requisite equipment (windshield, turn signals, others), and registers it properly, it becomes street-legal. Hmmmm.	Crazy Cars & Vehicles crazy-cars.de is one of the most intriguing general retail web sites for little cars. There is a page right here offering direct exports to the U.S.A. There are minicars of several varieties available from here.

http//joshuacorps.org