Messerschmitt Micro Car Is Reborn As Both Gas And EV Three-Wheeler

Say hello to KR202 and KR E5000.

The name Messerschmitt is likely to be associated with the famous German Bf109 fighter plane of World War II. Messerschmitt was not allowed to make aircraft after the war so the company made a small, three-wheeled, tandem-seat car with an open roof. It was built from 1964 to 1964 and offered moderate motoring.

Forward to 2020. With COVID-19 leaving a lot of the world inactive for at least a few months, Messerschmitt–Werke decided that the downtime would be a good opportunity to bring the little runabout back to life and make it better. You can see the result here. It is now known as the KR202 or KR E5000, depending on whether you prefer gasoline to electricity in your tandem-seat microcar experience.
The new KR pays homage to the original KR200 design. It features hydraulic disc brakes at each of the three wheels, an adjustable suspension, and a fiberglass body. The KR-202 has a single-cylinder, 125-cc gasoline engine that can produce 7.3 horsepower and electronic fuel injection. The KR-E5000 uses petrol to generate electricity. It is powered by a 6.7-hp motor and a 1.4-kilowatt lithium battery. Both have a top speed of 75 mph and a range of around 100 miles. To get to the top speed with the E5000, you will need the dual-battery option.
The new KR is lighter than the original, despite the addition of modern equipment. Yes, this includes the electric model. New Atlas states that the KR-202, which is powered by gas, weighs in at 485 pounds and the E5000 at 430 pounds. This is the single-battery version that only has a 50-mile range. You can also add weight to the vehicle by purchasing an optional roof.

Messerschmitt Werke has announced that order banks are now available for both versions. The KR-202’s price starts at EUR10.950 ($13.150), but that’s a special introductory rate for the first 20 orders. The E5000 is slightly more expensive at EUR12,950 ($15.550).