XEV begins serial manufacturing of its YoYo electric car

 The IAA was once the stage for major Italian brands, at whose stands fans and customers flocked to be amazed: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat will be absent from the IAA Mobility in 2021. But another Italian holds the position.

With the Yoyo, the young company has developed an electric city vehicle that is built in China. A steel frame serves as the basic structure around which the body is then assembled with parts from the 3D printer. With a length of 2.53 meters, the two-seater XEV Yoyo picks up on the original idea of ​​the Smart, and as "half a car," is, therefore, primarily at home in narrow city traffic.

The Yoyo, which weighs only 450 kilograms without batteries, is powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor with a maximum output of 15 kW (20 hp). The continuous output is given as 7.5 kW (10 HP). That should be enough to accelerate the Yoyo up to 75 km / h. Depending on the licensing requirements, it can also be designed as a light vehicle with a maximum speed of 45 km / h, which you could drive in Germany at the age of 15.

The highlight of the Yoyo is in the rear bumper. As an alternative to charging the battery via the cable connection on the front, the three battery modules, each weighing 25 kilograms, can be removed. In Italy, the home market of XEV, battery exchange machines are to be set up at the filling stations of the operator Eni (Agip in our case). There you can exchange empty for whole energy storage - provided there is enough muscle power.

The storage capacity of the batteries is given as a total of 10.3 kWh, which, according to the manufacturer, should provide a range of up to 150 kilometers.

The seat sample in the YEV Yoyo misses the slightly offset seats found in the Smart. Broad shoulders quickly find contact with the door panel on one side and the passenger on the other.

The cockpit is simple and logical. A central display provides all driving-related information. The optional 10-inch screen also has infotainment apps such as Spotify and integrated navigation with Google Maps. There is a smartphone holder in the base. Music and route guidance can be read on the phone's display (but please do not operate while driving). The quality makes a decent impression; the plastics are simple but have well-put-together color contrasts.

The XEV Yoyo is already being sold in Italy. There the electric car costs 13,900 euros before subsidies are deducted. In return, you get an equipped two-seater with a roof over your head, lacking safety features such as airbags.

The company is currently in talks with importers and dealers in other markets. After Spain, Portugal, and France, the Yoyo should also be available in Germany in the foreseeable future.

The XEV Yoyo is not the only small electric vehicle with which a manufacturer wants to revolutionize urban traffic. In contrast to some concepts, the tiny one is already on its own wheels. The battery exchange system is an exciting addition to cable charging.

With the design as a light vehicle, you have to compromise speed and safety features. The Yoyo can best be classified as a weatherproof alternative to the electric Vespa.

In terms of appearance, XEV intends to sell car components in a variety of designs, making it simple to personalize the Yoyo. The start-up lists a digital speedometer and a 10-inch infotainment display in the cockpit and air conditioning as highlights of the kit.

When the Yoyo was first introduced in spring 2018, it was still stated that the L7e-class mini-vehicle would first be available in China. This was mentioned in Chinese media at the time, but no official comment was issued.

Because XEV manufactures the Yoyo in collaboration with Chinese suppliers, China was the obvious choice for a location. However, it is now known that the electric car will first be available "in all key European markets." In Italy, first and foremost.

The XEV Yoyo electric car is made up of a steel frame, with many of the body and interior elements created via 3D printing. As a result, the tiny BEV contains a lot of plastic. A panoramic roof, a small trunk with 160 liters of space, and 14- or 15-inch wheels are among the other features. According to XEV, the maximum overall weight is 850 kilograms, with the battery weighing 75 kilos. It's worth noting that the Yoyo is higher than it is broad. The overall measurements are 2,530 mm long, 1,500 mm wide, 1,560 mm high, and 1,680 mm wheelbase.