Top 4 Smallest Cars In The World

What? Smallest cars in the world, do they really exist?

The short answer is yes, they do exist. Whether it’s a well-known small car – Peel P50 or a DIY Coulson’s Car, these microcars are great in terms of practicality, efficiency and come within affordable price range. Resultant, they have grabbed the attention of millennial buyers around the world.

As our roads are getting packed with more and more vehicles, parallelly buyers are shifting more towards to sub-compact or small cars. They want the same features and comfort as big bulky SUV or mid-segment sedan gets and guess what? Many manufacturers have listened to this.

Yes, over the past few years, several automakers like – BMW, KIA & etc. have designed and manufactured small cars also known as sub-compact or compact cars which also aligns with today’s lifestyle.

Check out the top 4 smallest cars in the world in this very small car’s list. As there is a saying, don’t judge the book by its cover. So, don’t underestimate the size of these small cars. These cute little cars are truly amazing, don’t believe us? Let’s dive to the list of world’s smallest cars.

List Of The Smallest Cars In The World

Name of the smallest car	Dimensions (LxWxH)
Austin Coulson’s DIY	1,263 x 643 x640 mm
Peel P50	1,370 x 1,040 x 1,200 mm
Buddy (Electric Car)	2,440 x 1,430 mm x 1,440 mm
Renault Twizy	2,338 x 1,237 x 1,447

1. Austin Coulson’s DIY

Austin Coulson’s DIY is a two-door, open-top, smallest road-legal car in the world. Although, these doors and open-top don’t offer any practicality in real life. The car is based on an electric toy model of Jeep.

The vision was clear, Austin Coulson wanted to make a world record. He had built and modified several cars, some were from scratch too. Although, this DIY was something different and aimed to be the smallest car on the planet earth.   

Coulson made this possible thing in his garage. He took material help form a ’57 Chevy Bel Air’. Fabrication was completed, now it was time for the heart – The Engine. Yes, a small engine for a cute little car.

This tiniest car is powered by a small yet powerful single-cylinder 110cc motor taken from a quad bike. Talking of power output, Auston Coulson has not revealed any information as such. In transmission, the smallest car gets a CVT (continuously variable transmission) that helps to spin rear set of wheels.

In terms of features, this little car is not far in the competition. Yes, it has gotten functional headlights, tail-lights, turn-indicators and rearview mirrors.
Did I say alloy wheels?

That’s not all, Austin Coulson has taken care of safety features like seatbelts, 9×3 inch windshield and a horn too.

Since it’s a road legal vehicle, this is the smallest production car with a license plate that reads “IM BIG.”

Exteriors are pretty too! According to Austin Coulson, the design and graphics are inspired by U.S. military aircraft.

Austin Coulson’s DIY Dimensions:

So, how much does the smallest car in the world measures? Let’s find out!

• Length: 1,263 mm
• Width: 643 mm
• Height: 640 mm

Austin Coulson’s DIY Engine Specs:

• Engine: 110cc, 1-cylinder engine
• Transmission: Automatic with CVT (continuously variable transmission)
• Fuel efficiency: 85 miles per gallon
• Fuel tank capacity: Half-gallon

Austin Coulson’s DIY Performance:

• Top speed: 25 mph
• 0-15 mph: NA
• 0-25 mph: NA

According to Coulson, the engine is capable enough to push this car up to 33 mph which is really impressive. Though, the authorities have legally limited the top speed to 25 mph.

2. Peel P50

Peel P50 is the second smallest car on our list. It’s a 3-wheeled, 54 inches long and 41 inches wide microcar, which offers great practicality and comes with an attractive price range.

The car is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the smallest production car in the world. It is manufactured by Peel Engineering, a UK based automobile manufacturer. Correct me if I’m wrong, it is the first smallest car in the UK by a home-grown manufacturer.

So, what Peel P50 offers and why is it so different?

At first sight, this vehicle grabs attention. No doubt at all. Saying of a standard model, the 3-wheeled car uses a fibreglass monocoque body to give a perfect body to weight ratio.

At the front, it holds round conventional headlamp with turn indicators and a licence plate. At the rear, though there is nothing special, you get a set of tail lamps with the licence plate in the middle, a handle to maneuver the microcar in packed spaces, and a rear window glass.

The manufacturer offers Peel P50 with engine options:

E 50 – This an electric variant that offers 48 volts DC electric motor and has a max. top speed of 35 mph.

Standard 50 – This is the most popular and oldest model of Peel P50. This model comes fitted with a 49cc 4-Stroke Petrol engine and has a top speed of 28 mph.

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72 Touring – As the name suggests, this particular model offers a 72cc 4-Stroke Petrol engine and a top speed of 40 mph.

125GT – This seems interesting, 125GT is the most powerful engine variant of Peel P50. The GT offers a powerful 124cc 4-Stroke Petrol engine and has a highest top speed of 55 mph.

That’s not all! After a huge success, the manufacturer also added different models and features to Peel P50. These changes include an open-roof model also known as Spyder (not for electric variants) and different features like – two seating option, transparent top body and etc.

The manufacturer offers Peel P50 in multiple colours and trim options. You can pick your favourite and they will paint that for you.

Peel P50 Color Options:

• Dragon Red
• Daytona White
• Capri Blue
• Sunshine Yellow
• Trident Blue
• Calypso Orange
• Bourneville Purple
• British Racing Green
• Spitfire Pink
• Baskerville Black
• Bespoke Colours Upon Request
• Custom Livery Upon Request

Trim Colours

• Harbour Grey
• Liquorice Black
• Manx Red
• Oxford Blue
• Goodwood Green
• Old English White
• Vintage Tan

Peel P50 Dimensions:

Talking of standard model, here are the dimensions of one of the smallest car in the world.

• Length: 1,370 mm
• Width: 1,040 mm
• Height: 1,200 mm
• Weight: 105 kg
• Turning Circle: 4,550 mm
• Ground Clearance: 127 mm

Peel P50 Engine Specs:

• Engine: 49cc, air-cooled 1-cylinder engine, 4-Stroke Petrol
• Power: 3.5 bhp
• Torque: 3.7 Nm
• Transmission: 3-speed manual transmission
• Fuel efficiency: 114 miles per gallon
• Fuel tank capacity: Half-gallon

A standard model of Peel P50 comes powered by a 49 cc air-cooled, 4-Stroke Petrol engine. This small engine develops 3.5 bhp of max. power and a peak torque of 2.7 Nm. In transmission, the power gets directly transmitted to the rear set of wheels via a 3-speed manual gearbox. In terms of fuel efficiency, no other vehicle can beat the efficiency of Peel P50. It delivers a mind-boggling fuel efficiency of 114 mpg.

In driving dynamics, the microcar gets Independent Single-Wishbone suspension in the front while the rear comes fitted with a single-sided Swing Arm.

Peel P50 Performance:

• Top speed: 35 mph
• 0-15 mph: NA
• 0-30 mph: NA

According to the manufacturer, this 49 cc motor is capable enough to accelerate the Peel P5 up to 35 mph. Though, they have not disclosed the acceleration time of 0-15 mph or 0-30 mph.

3. Buddy (Electric Car)

Buddy is 2 door, 3 seater electric quadricycle designed and manufactured by Buddy Electric, an Electric vehicle manufacturing company based in Oslo, Norway.

Buddy Electric is the 3^rd smallest car in the Throttlebias’s list. It is the sixth generation car, earlier it was known as Kewet.

According to the manufacturer, the vision behind this cute little car was to promote green vehicles, use less energy, use less space on roads and, most importantly, easily maneuver the car in parking space. And guess what? They achieved this mission and became one of the tiniest cars in the world in the electric category.

Mechanically, the Buddy is a simple and practical electric car which offers a driving range anywhere between 12 to 37 mi. Although, this range also depends upon several circumstances like – the road condition, your driving style. Oh, I forget to tell you, the Buddy electric car has an impressive top speed of 56 mph.

The entire body is made up of thin fibreglass. On the other side, the core structure consists of a galvanised steel tube frame (cage type).

Saying of mechanical, power is dependent on a 72V Sepex 13 kW DC motor. According to the manufacturer, they still use the regular lead-acid batteries as lithium ions do not cost-friendly. These lead-acid batteries are good in life and one can expect the life anywhere between 2 to 5 years or 20,000 km or whatever completes the first.

Buddy (Electric Car) Dimensions:

Here the dimension of one of the first smallest electric car in the world.  

• Length: 2,440 mm
• Width: 1,430 mm
• Height: 1,440 mm
• Wheelbase: 1,550 mm
• Weight without batteries: 400 kg
• Lead batteries weight: 395 kg
• Turning circle: 7.0 m

Buddy (Electric Car) Engine Specs:

• Electric motor: 72V DC motor
• Power: 13 kW
• Torque: NA
• Transmission: Automatic
• Drive Range: 12 to 37 mi
• Front Suspension: MacPherson struts
• Rear Suspension: Independent telescopic suspension
• Wheels: Alloys 4Jx13
• Tyres: 135(145)/80R13

As you are familiar, this electric small car is powered by a 72V DC motor that develops a good power of 13 kW. Here, power is sent to the rear set of wheels via an automatic gearbox. Saying of range, the batteries provide a total drive range from 12 to 40 mi. In suspension, the front has been taken care by MacPherson struts, while the rear gets an Independent telescopic. To make this car more advance and future-ready, Buddy Electric has fitted a smart and future tech like regenerative braking, which helps to charge the battery whenever you press the brake padel. That’s not all, you get disc brakes on all wheels.

Buddy (Electric Car) Performance:

Top speed: 56 mph
0- 30 mph: 7 sec

Buddy electric car has impressed a lot. Whether it’s top speed or acceleration, this small electric car has done wonders. According to the manufacturer, the electric car can hit 0 to 30 mph in just 7 seconds with a top speed of 56 mph (in full charge). This seems impressive, isn’t?

4. Renault Twizy

Next in the list of smallest cars in the world is – Renault Twizy. The Twizy is a 2-seater compact electric car by Renault motors which is manufactured in Valladolid area situated in Spain.

The electric car was first showcased in 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. After a good time of 2 years, the manufacturer launched and started taking booking of this amazing looking cute little electric car in May 2011.

It comes packed with some cool features and amazing technological advancements. The list includes scissor doors, panoramic clear sky roof, smart storage spaces, On-board computer, Energy recovery system, Digital Econometer, and etc.

Adding to this, Renault Twizy comes loaded with strong and lightweight body frame, airbags and disc brakes. If you have noticed, Twizy offers more features than its competitors.  

Mechanically, being an electric vehicle, it comes bolted with a powerful DC motor which is the prime source of power. Being a premium small electric car, the manufacturer has put everything without any compromise. Like, Twizy gets a lithium-ion battery in compare to acid, which is lightweight and requires less maintenance.

You must have noticed the full glass body structure, right? Yes, the body is made up of tough fibreglass which helps to maintain an equal power to weight ratio, provides clear vision to the driver and enhance the looks of Twizy.

Renault Twizy Dimensions:

Do you know?

Renault Twizy has an amazing turning radius. This is indeed the best feature we wish every car could get. Moving to the dimensions of Renault Twizy, it has:

• Length: 2,338 mm
• Width: 1,237 mm
• Height: 1,447 mm
• Wheelbase: 1,686 mm
• Turning circle: 7.0 m
• Ground clearance: 120 m
• Curb Weight: 450 kg
• Lead batteries weight: 100 kg

Renault Twizy Engine Specs:

• Electric motor: 5 hp DC motor
• Power: 4 kW
• Torque: 57 Nm
• Transmission: Single-speed automatic gearbox
• Drive Range: 50 – 60 mi
• Front Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts
• Rear Suspension: Independent, MacPherson struts
• Front Tyres: P125/80R13
• Rear Tyres: P145/80R13

Renault Twizy mapped a good impression in terms of performance and capability. The motor of Renault Twizy churns out an amazing 4kW of power and a good 57 Nm of peak torque. In terms of transmission, power is sent to the rear set of wheels via a single-speed gearbox.

Front and rear suspension have been taken care by a set of Independent MacPherson struts, which gives passengers a balanced and comfortable ride.

Renault Twizy Performance:

• Top speed: 50 mph (electronically limited)
• 0 – 30 mph: NA
• 0 – 50 mph: NA

Renault Twizy is pretty good in numbers. The small electric car has a good electronically limited top speed of 50 mph. As of now, the manufacturer has not revealed anything related to acceleration.

Note: The details given above are based on the standard variant of Twizy.

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