To drive unaccompanied from 16 years old, our German neighbors have a clever solution. A company (Ellenator) transforms cars that give the impression of having only three wheels. Discovery of these Fiat 500, Ford Ka, VW Polo, Seat Ibiza and Skoda Fabia thus amputated.
In Germany, it is possible to drive a vehicle from the age of 16 with an A1 license provided that the car has been slightly modified. Against a few thousand euros, the company Ellenator transforms your vehicle so that your offspring can legally get behind the wheel. It was mainly Fiat 500s and their technical cousins Ford Ka that popularized the concept. But on the upper floor, the trio Volkswagen Polo – fifth generation type 6R -, Seat Ibiza and Skoda Fabia were also affected a few years ago by this adaptation as were Opels. Without being as atypical as the three-wheeled Reliant Regal Supervan III, made famous by Mister Bean, this type of car has its effect.
>> Photos of German quadricycles accessible from 16 years old <<
A singular architecture
The most visible change concerns the rear axle which now has two small 14-inch diameter wheels which are stowed in the center of the chassis by means of a specific oscillating arm. While the original suspensions are kept, they have just been moved. Legally, the rear track is less than 46 cm wide. This allows the vehicle to remain in the category of quadricycles. This new geometry of the train still reduces the volume of the trunk but this is not the priority on a city car.
This architecture is reminiscent of that of the Peugeot EX-1 and Peugeot Asphalte concept cars. But the latter had above all in the idea of giving sensations to their pilots. In the case of Ellenator vehicles, this could mostly be like a cold sweat.
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Be careful when the going!
This is not visible but under the hood, the installation of an electronic flange limits the engine power to 20 hp and the speed to 90 km / h. In Germany, this type of car is authorized to travel on highways, to carry 4 passengers, and is approved for a maximum load of 300 kg. It will obviously be necessary to be calm with the wheel, a swerve could have terrible consequences because of the less stability of the car. But in terms of comfort and protection, this solution is much more advantageous than a Renault Twizy or a Citroën Ami whose range and top speed are limited and which, moreover, can only accommodate two people.
What price to transform your car?
It is necessary to count a price of 5 680 euros TTC for the transformation, tariffs including the homologation of the vehicle and once the age of 18 has been reached and the type B driver’s license validated, the Ellenator company will reverse the transformation in order to restore your vehicle to its original condition. In France, this type of car is not approved. Only Renault Twizy, Citroën Ami and cars without a license (Aixam, Ligier …) are accessible from 14 years old. Peugeot presented the EU-LIVE prototype at the end of 2017, a four-wheel scooter with a two-seater interior protected from bad weather, but it has never reached the stage of industrialization to date.
