City Transformer, the Israeli car that can shrink into a tiny space

By dpa | 5 May 2022


MUNICH: An Israeli start-up says it wants to revolutionise urban traffic with a narrow electric microcar that can change its width to slip into the tiniest of parking spaces.

Styled a bit like the small Renault Twizy, the two-seater City Transformer has a width of just 1 metre, meaning it needs no more space than a scooter when it's time to park.

It's set to go on sale by the end of 2024, company boss Asaf Formoza announced during a demo here.

The main highlight of the car is its variable track width, which can be changed by 40cm while driving. This makes the City Transformer a dream to park, but also nifty at getting around town at low speeds.

It's not just the size of the car that's small: The pre-order price is set at €12,500 (RM58,000). At launch, this tiny electric will cost €16,000 (RM74,000).

Unlike many other narrow-track vehicles, the City Transformer can hit speeds of up to 90kph, Formoza says.

That's because, although the cabin of the car itself doesn't get bigger or smaller, the wheels do extend out, providing the stability needed to drive such a small car at high speeds.



In addition to the mechanism for the variable track width, two electric motors with a combined output of 15 kW/20hp and batteries with a capacity of 14 kWh for a range of up to 180km are integrated.

Charging takes 3.5 hours at a household socket or 30 minutes at a DC charging station. The slow charging speed, combined with the limited range and size, means this car is most ideal for urban commutes and overnight charges, rather than day-long road trips.

The first prototypes are 2.50 metres long. With space-saving doors that swing open upwards, it is designed for one adult and one child.

At the same time, the City Transformer offers a little more comfort and safety than most of its competitors in this class, notably air conditioning, electric windows, airbags and ESP.

The manufacturer says it also wants to build commercial versions for urban freight transport. In addition to commuters and delivery services fed up with searching for a parking spaces, car-sharing services may also be interested in this kind of car, Formoza believes.

The Israeli company hopes its car will not only be the solution to parking problems, but also to traffic jams in crowded cities.

Formoza anticipates new traffic laws and dedicated lanes in cities once thousands of these narrow-gauge vehicles are on the roads. "Then, just like that, traffic routes will double in capacity and rush hour will have lost its horror."

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