#small car

The Duport Onyx was a French microcar built by ski-lift engineer Guy Duport in Faverges to keep his factory busy during summer off-seasons. Fewer than 20 examples were made from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, all powered by air-cooled Lombardini diesel engines: initially 325 cc, later 510 cc units producing 10–12 bhp.

Power went to the rear wheels via a belt-driven CVT, giving a top speed of around 45 km/h. With output under 4 kW, the Onyx qualified as “sans permis” and could be driven without a licence. Fuel consumption was about 3 l/100 km (roughly 80 mpg).

The 2006 Carcerano Sonny Concept was a compact experimental vehicle created to explore sustainable urban mobility. Unveiled at the Bologna Motor Show, it focused on environmental responsibility, efficient packaging, and early connected-car ideas rather than performance or luxury.

Measuring just 2.9 m long but seating four, the Sonny used a tall, space-efficient profile with extensive glazing for better visibility and a brighter cabin. Its body panels were made from lightweight, recyclable materials, reflecting a Life Cycle Assessment approach that considered environmental impact from production to recycling.

e.GO is a German company founded by Günther Schuh, who previously created the electric van acquired by Deutsche Post. Backed by ZF Friedrichshafen, it launched the e.GO Life, a compact four-seat electric city car focused on affordable urban mobility rather than long-range or high performance.

The Mega Club was a leisure vehicle produced by French manufacturer Aixam under its Mega sub-brand from 1992 to 1998. Based on the Citroën AX platform, it used PSA petrol and diesel engines and a body made from acrylic-coated polycarbonate, more durable than the plastic on the Citroën Méhari.

The modular design allowed three main variants: the two-seat Ranch pickup, the four-seat Club with optional rigid or canvas roof, and the Cabriolet with a folding canvas top. Engines ranged from 1.1- and 1.4-liter petrol units to 1.4d and 1.5d diesels, with front-wheel drive standard and an optional 4×4 version derived from the AX.

The 2006 Changan XingQing Concept, meaning “Clear Sky,” was a compact urban design study unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show. Aimed at young city drivers, it focused on flexibility and efficient packaging.

Despite measuring only about 3.5 m long, the concept could seat five and carry large items like a surfboard. Its most distinctive feature was the access system: front doors slid forward for tight spaces, while an extendable rear loading platform improved cargo practicality.

The GTM began in 1966 when Jack Hosker made a model for a Grand Touring Mini, reportedly using cornflake packets for the chassis. His friend Bernard Cox, who ran a garage in Cheshire, offered space to build a prototype, and the Cox GTM was unveiled at the Racing Car Show in January 1967.

The car used a steel semi-monocoque with Mini front subframes, a fibreglass body, and a rear-mounted Mini engine, making it the first mid-engined kit car. A magazine test recorded 0–60 mph in 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 115.5 mph.

The Nissan Hypermini was a two-seat electric microcar developed for urban travel and first shown as a concept at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show. It used a lightweight, rigid aluminum spaceframe combined with steel and plastic components.

The design emphasized compact dimensions, easy maneuverability, and a futuristic interior with an open, horizontal dashboard. Run-flat tires and a navigation system linked to an operations center were among its most unusual features.

The production version entered limited sales in Japan in 2000, mainly targeting government offices, corporations, and car-sharing programs. Measuring about 2.66 meters long, it had a turning radius of just 3.9 meters, making it well suited to crowded city streets.

A neodymium-magnet synchronous motor powered the rear wheels, while lithium-ion batteries provided a claimed range of 115 km under Japan’s 10-15 test cycle and a top speed of 100 km/h.

The batteries could be recharged through an inductive, non-contact system or with a portable conventional charger. Nissan also fitted automatic air conditioning with pre-heating and pre-cooling functions, along with recyclable aluminum and thermoplastic materials.