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Tuesday 9 September 2014

5 OF THE SLOWEST CARS IN THE WORLD


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5 Of The Slowest Cars In The World
By Gowtham Vivek,
Magacy, 8 September 2014.

Writing about fastest cars, stylish cars, powerful cars or expensive cars are pretty easy because there are many brands competing to get that winning title. Moreover, people will be curious to see who lags behind. But as far as the slowest cars are concerned, it seems a little complicated. After a very time-consuming research, I have generated the list of 5 slowest cars in the world. Take a look.

5. Smart Fortwo CDI

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Price: US$12,000 to US$15,000
Top Speed: 135 km/hr (83 m/hr)
Weight: 1653 lb
Turbo Diesel Engine: 799 cc

Taking the 5th position is none other than Smart Fortwo CDI. It is a rear engine and rear wheel-drive version. This car has the capacity to hold only two passengers. The two-door city car is marketed and manufactured by Dailmer AG. The best thing about this car is that it is eco-friendly, meaning it emits very low CO2. Moreover, when it comes to safety measures, this little cell truly makes it.

4. Tata Nano

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Price: US$1,700
Top Speed: 60 km/hr (37 m/hr)
Weight: 1300 lb
Engine: 624 cc

Tata Motors manufactures this car and is widely seen on Indian roads. Even though the car was launched with a price tag of US$1700 originally, over time, it increased. The car was designed with a motive to lure India’s promising middle class families away from two-wheelers. Nano received a lot of publicity during its launch (for its low cost) and sales remained steady for the first two years, but gradually it dropped because of its non-essential features and underwhelming customer response. If you are willing to get one, then think again because it lacks safety, antilock brakes, power brakes, map pockets and even air conditioning.

3. Renault Twizy

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Price: US$10,000
Top Speed: 45 km/hr (28 m/hr)
Weight: 992 lb
Lithium-Ion Battery: 6.1 kWh

Yet another slowest car in the world is none other than Renault Twizy. This is a two-passenger battery-powered electric vehicle, which is manufactured at Valladolid, Spain. This car was debuted as the “concept car” at 2009’s Frankfurt Motor Show and was designed by Luciano Bove and Francoise Leboinne. During March 2012, Twizy was opened to French market, followed by UK and other European nations a month later. It comes in three different models, each with its own price tag.

2. Aixam Coupe S

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Price: US$16,177
Top Speed: 45 km/hr (28 m/hr)
Weight: 771 lb
Diesel Engine: 400 cc

Aixam Corporation has its motto as “Secure, Safe, Stylish and Slow.” Keeping these factors in mind, Aixam launched its Coupe S. It has been crash-tested and offers safer drive to your 16-year old kid. Speed is something we all want when it comes to car but this is certainly not the one if you want a high-end car. So, a Aixam Coupe S might never impress a hard-core driver. However, this car is launched for young drivers. Yes, this ‘light quadricycle’ is more often driven by 16-year teens. Though it is one of the slowest cars in the world, it still can beat a school bus. The good thing is that one doesn’t requires a driving license to use this car on public roads. Apart from its big price tag, teens might also struggle paying its insurance, which comes to around US$3560 a year. This slow car is being manufactured by a French company (Aixam) and was launched at Britain. This would be a great option for kids, whose parents are concerned about their safety measures while driving. While scooters and mopeds aren’t safer, teens can use this for a safe transport. It carries only one passenger though.

1. Peel P50

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Price: US$17,000 to US$20,000
Top Speed: 45 km/hr (28 m/hr)
Maximum Speed: 16 km/hr (10 m/hr)
Weight: less than 132 lb
Engine: 49 cc

The slowest car in the world is none other than Peel P50. It is the world’s slowest car recognized by Guinness. Top speed limit, size, engine and price are other determining factors to title this car as the “world’s slowest.” This is a three-wheeled micro car, which were once manufactured by Manx Peel Engineering Company during the year 1963 and 1964. They were advertised as “one adult and one shopping bag” car.

According to Guinness World Record, P50 is only 53-inches long and 39-inches wide. It comes in 3 standard colours: capri blue, dragon red, daytona white.

Though the interior space allows for only one seat, meaning you can’t even have someone with you. Moreover, the driver himself or herself finds it extremely hard to fit in. So, the advertised “one adult and one shopping bag” serves correct. It has only one door that opens on its left, and so far 45 cars have been manufactured. Surprisingly, this car doesn’t have a reverse gear. Happily, this car is so light that it is possible for one to pick up and turn it around. This is the reason why reversal isn’t required.

Recently in 2010, a new company named Peel Engineering Limited initiated the replica version. This firm is based in England. Even though this car looked similar to the one created by the 1964 company, there were many key mechanical changes done with its steering, drivertrain and suspension. The worst part - they are not legally allowed on roads. It is just a display version.

Top image: Renault Twizy. Credit: Rama/Wikimedia Commons.

[Source: Magacy. Edited. Top image and links added.]


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