The Hiriko Fold - Driving Mobility

    


  


   

Manufacturer: Hiriko Driving Mobility
Assembly: Vitoria-Gasteiz
Class: City Car
Range: 75 Miles (120km)
Length: 98.4 Inches (2,500mm)
Curb Weight: 1,100Lbs. (500kg)
Top Speed: 31 MPH (50km/h)


The micro-car is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack that allows a range of 120 km (75 mi). The drive motors are located inside each of the four wheels, and has an electronically controlled maximum speed of 50 km/h (31 mph). The Hiriko Fold weighs less than 500 kg (1,100 lb), has an extended length of 2.5 m (98.4 in) and its hinged body allow the microcar to retract its front and rear modules, enabling the Hiriko to fold upwards to 1.5 m (59.1 in) for parking. This feature allows three and a half Hiriko Folds to fit in a typical urban parking space. Each of the four wheels can turn 60 degrees left or right, enabling the car to travel sideways, which makes parallel parking a very easy maneuver to accomplish, and this flexibility allows the car to spin on its central axis.

 The driver and the passenger enter and exit the car through the front hatch that houses the windshield. The conventional steering wheel and the brake and throttle controls were replaced with a device similar to an airplane's yoke. When the driver pushes the control stick forward the car speeds up, while when pulled back the car slows down.

The Hiriko Fold is scheduled to be unveiled in March 2013 at the Geneva Motor Show, before entering production during the second quarter of 2013. Retail deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2014, and pricing starts at $16,400 plus battery leasing fees. The company also plans to promote the cars to cities across Europe to expand their car-sharing programs. Brazil have expressed interest in using the Hiriko in carsharing systems.