Messerschmitt returns with updated Kabinenrollers

Company rolls out petrol- and electric-powered microcars

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Messerschmitt
Messerschmitt offers its new and updated Kabinenroller with either gas or electric power | Messerschmitt photos

Messerschmitt is putting its micro-sized 3-wheeler back into production, offering the Kabinenroller (cabin scooter) as the petrol-powered KR-202 Sport and the electric-powered KR-E5000. 

The German company announced plans in 2014 for a return to the roadways and followed that with an electric-assisted pedal-powered velomobile. Now the company is producing vehicles in which the humans can sit back and drive and ride without such exertion.

“An unprecedented aerodynamic design reminiscent of an airplane… How should it be otherwise?” the company notes.

“This historically charged future-oriented vehicle offers mobility without compromising on driving pleasure.”

Well, as pleasurable as driving can be in a micro machine reportedly capable to speeds of 75 mph with a 125cc single-cylinder petroleum engine or 55 mph with a 50-mile range with electric power.

The 3-wheelers provide room for two sitting tandem style. The cars are 112 inches in length are built on steel and aluminum chassis with fiberglass coachwork. They have disc brakes and adjustable suspension. The cars are being built at Messerschmitt Werke facilities in Spain.

Prices are around $13,000 for the KR-202 and $15,500 for the KR-E5000. 

Messerschmitt, named in honor of the German aircraft engineer Willy Messerschmitt, was founded in 1953 and produced small so-called bubblecars into 1964. The car company was launched by aeronautical engineer Fritz Fend, who in 1946 produced a hand-propelled “invalid” car in Upper Bavaria.

With post-war aircraft production banned in Germany after World War II, Fend worked with Messerschmitt to produce the Kabinenrollers. Popular with motorcyclists who wanted protection from the weather, sales dropped when BMW launched the Isetta, which provided side-by-side seating.

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