Sneak Peek: A look at the new Metro Buddy
Click on the Metro Buddy for a hi-res gallery
Though the Metro Buddy isn't due to be officially unveiled until tomorrow at EVS-24, the Norwegian Minister of Transportation, Liv Signe Narvasete, visited the little electric car maker's factory and got a sneak preview. The folks from ElectricAid were also on hand and shot a little video, which we can now share with you. While it keeps the same basic form as the original Kewet Buddy, There are some changes that are more than skin deep. For example, buyers of the new version will be able to store electricity in lead-acid, nickel metal halide (NiMH) or lithium batteries giving this wedge of Jarlsburg a range of 50 to 75 miles (80 to 120 kilometers).
Like the original, the Metro Buddy will be easy to park, inexpensive to run and available in lots of colors. It will have a top speed of 50 mph (80 km) and seating for a driver and two good friends. Delivery is set for December, but if you just can't wait and you're willing to settle for the classic, the original will be available until then. Hit the jump for video of the politician's preview and don't forget to toggle CC (Closed Captions) in the lower right hand corner for the English translation.
Gallery: Metro Buddy
[Source: Ebil.no / ElectricAid]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Throwback 3:57PM (5/12/2009)
I'd rather walk.
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Richard in FLA 3:58PM (5/12/2009)
I like the direction the EV movement is going, but why do these cars always have to look like toys? If the designers insist on these simple looks, then why not make a pickup truck instead. They looks of a pickup truck haven't changed much over the years and are a much more useful vehicle. Because EV's must be light in order to provide some semblance of practical range, the pickup truck is best suited to this cause. Something like the VW rabbit pickup truck of the 80's comes to mind.
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Tohe 4:25PM (5/12/2009)
I thought Norway was an industrialized Nation, the buddy is on par with that salamandra thing we saw out of Colombia a few weeks ago.
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Andrew 5:00AM (5/15/2009)
Don't insult us, this is just a city car product. I thought Americans were polite.
They have been producing it for years now, and you can see a few of them around Oslo. It's ugly but effective.
Norway produces a lot of car parts for Audi, BMW, Volvo, Ford etc. We're absolutely a developed Western European country, post-industrial in fact.
However this concept is not typical of of Norwegian EVs. Check out the beautiful new model "OX" from Norwegian Th!nk at http://www.think.no
Tohe 5:23PM (5/15/2009)
The OX is certainly nice Andrew, the buddy not so much.
organic 4:34PM (5/12/2009)
The best part is it also works as a door wedge.
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Carlos 4:44PM (5/12/2009)
And what´s the asking price of this nice car?
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kingu 8:47PM (5/15/2009)
21000$ for the basic current model (in norway),I don't expect this to be much more expencive, same parts, wider axel width, new body.
With the Lithium ion battery pack it will probably cost a bit extra.
jharlan 5:17PM (5/12/2009)
If the don't want to say what the price is, that's a pretty good indication it's a doozy!
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Jason Bontrager 8:56PM (5/12/2009)
Hmmm, that looks awfully familiar.
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Jason Bontrager 8:56PM (5/12/2009)
Damn link didn't work.
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS240&q=citicar&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
Andrew 5:01AM (5/15/2009)
This is not a new product, it's a new design for the same EV they have been producing for years now. The old Kewet Buddy is quite ugly by comparison.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_(electric_car)
jcwinnie 8:04AM (5/13/2009)
I think it's cute.
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VWBajaBugGuy 2:07PM (5/13/2009)
This totally looks like the CitiCar from the 70's built on VW Beetle pans. http://www.bjharding.com/citicar/
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