City car
Encyclopedia
A city car is a small car
intended for use primarily in an urban area
.
City cars are sold worldwide and most automotive industry
manufacturers have one or two in their line-up. In North-America city cars are often referred to simply as "subcompacts" alongside the superminis. These kind of cars are also usually known as the A-segment across Europe. In Japan
the is a specific type of city car. To receive legal classification as a kei car (along with the added registration discounts and benefits), the vehicle must meet specific size criteria in both physical dimensions and engine capacity. For 'city cars' in Japan, the definition is informal and imprecise.
, a four-passenger vehicle from the late 1940s. After the Second World War
, a number of makers introduced microcar
s, the precursors to the modern city car. These included the Bond Minicar
and AC
Petite
in Britain; the Iso Isetta
in Italy in 1953; the Fulda, Messerschmitt Kabinenroller
, and Brütsh in Germany in 1954 (all two-seaters with a Fulda and Sachs two-stroke engine; the Goggomobil
Isard (a 2+2, rather than a true four-seater); and the Gutbrod Superior. There was also the Dornier
-designed Zündapp
Janus
, which placed passengers back to back, and the Riley Reliant.
As the European economy improved, all but the Riley disappeared. In 1959, BMC
would introduce the best-known and most-successful city car, the Mini
. The concept persisted, seeing a revival at the 1967 Turin Motor Show, where battery-driven Fiat 500
s were shown by both Giannini
and Moretti
, and de Tomaso
showed an electric four-seater. DAF
joined Italian motoring magazine Quattrorooute and Turin coachbuilder
OSI to produce the DAF City, which used Daffodil
mechanicals. There were other new projects from 1969 through 1972. In 1972, Daihatsu proffered an electric model, while Toyota showed the Town Spider, with a choice of petrol or electric power, and General Motors
displayed three two-seaters, one electric, one gasoline, and one (unfortunately for GM, not a precursor) hybrid. The GM products were capable of only 0–30 mph (0–48.3 km/h) in 15 seconds and 30–45 mph (48.3–72.4 km/h) maximum, not good enough for normal city driving, nor could they meet the safety regulations which would be introduced in 1974.
While many of these cars can be considered city cars today, these cars have been replaced by larger cars with each passing generation. Exceptions are the smaller Fiat
s, especially the 1957 500 and 126
. They were in the region of 3 metre in length, but had seating for four people, putting them outside the microcar category.
The replacement for the 126, the Cinquecento
, was presented in 1991 as a true city car. At only 3200 millimetre long, it had room for four and entry-level prices.
In Japan, regulations defining kei cars
were established on 8 July 1949. Production of compliant vehicles started around 1955–1958 by Daihatsu, Mitsubishi
, Subaru
, and Suzuki
.
In the late 1980s, superminis had physically grown so much that many buyers wanted even smaller four-seat cars. In Japan, buyers had a wide selection to choose from in passenger cars, microvan
and kei trucks, such as the Honda Today
and the Honda Acty
, Subaru Sambar
and Subaru Vivio
, Daihatsu Atrai and Daihatsu Mira
, Mitsubishi Minica
and Mitsubishi Minicab
, and the Suzuki Fronte
and Suzuki Wagon R
. In Europe, Renault
followed Fiat in 1993 with the Renault Twingo
, which featured a MPV-like design and interior room, despite its size and height 3430 millimetre long and 1420 millimetre tall. Combined with an original exterior and interior design, it quickly became a best-seller. In 1996, the Ford Ka
was presented with its radical New Edge
design. Its egg-shaped body did not leave much room in the rear seats, but many customers did not need them and preferred the Ka over more conservative designs.
In the mid 1990s, South Korea
n brands Daewoo
and Hyundai
introduced their city car entries, both for the Asia
n and Europe
an markets. The Hyundai Atos
, launched in 1997, was 3500 millimetre long and 1600 millimetre high, which was much taller than any European models (usually under 1450 millimetre) and provided considerable interior space. Its boxy shape provoked mixed reactions.
The Daewoo Matiz
followed in 1998 with a Giorgetto Giugiaro
design and a moderate height (1500 millimetre), which proved more eye-catching. Hyundai tried to react to this with the rounder Atos Prime but without much success.
These Korean city cars were much cheaper than most of the European models, especially the Opel/Vauxhall Agila
(2000) and Volkswagen Lupo
(1999), yet were still reliable.
Later the Opel/Vauxhall Agila
followed in 2000 based on the Japanese Suzuki Wagon R
.
s grew considerably from the 1990s to the 2000s, the same happened with city cars. After some new superminis grew to be over 3900 millimetre long (like the Ford Fiesta
, Opel Corsa
, the SEAT Ibiza
and the Volkswagen Polo
), some automakers developed city car models more than 3650 millimetre long.
The first of these models was the Nissan Micra (2002), which is 3720 millimetre long and smaller than many superminis of the late 1990s. Other cars are the Citroën C2
, Suzuki Swift
, Smart Forfour
, Toyota Yaris
and Peugeot 1007
(the last one which can also be labelled as a mini MPV
).
These vehicles are hard to classify, since their size does not fit the "city car" or "supermini" categories. A possibility is to compare the price and interior room with superminis: the Yaris is definitely a supermini, whereas the Tata Indica
is closer to a city car.
In addition, in the last few years some "true" city cars were released: the Smart Fortwo
(1998), the Fiat Panda
(2003), the Kia Picanto
(2004), the Citroën C1
/Peugeot 107
/Toyota Aygo
(2005), Toyota iQ
(2008), Volkswagen Fox
(2006), Fiat Nuova 500
(2007), Hyundai i10
(2007), the Opel/Vauxhall Agila
(2007), Ford Ka
(2008) the Tata Nano
(2009), Volkswagen Up!
(2011) , Seat Mii
(2012) , Skoda Citigo
(2012).
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
intended for use primarily in an urban area
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
.
City cars are sold worldwide and most automotive industry
Automotive industry
The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles, and is one of the world's most important economic sectors by revenue....
manufacturers have one or two in their line-up. In North-America city cars are often referred to simply as "subcompacts" alongside the superminis. These kind of cars are also usually known as the A-segment across Europe. In Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
the is a specific type of city car. To receive legal classification as a kei car (along with the added registration discounts and benefits), the vehicle must meet specific size criteria in both physical dimensions and engine capacity. For 'city cars' in Japan, the definition is informal and imprecise.
Early history
One of the earliest city cars was the American-made CrosleyCrosley
The Crosley was an automobile manufactured by the Crosley Corporation and later by Crosley Motors Incorporated in the United States from 1939 to 1952.-History:...
, a four-passenger vehicle from the late 1940s. After the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a number of makers introduced microcar
Microcar
A microcar is the smallest automobile classification usually applied to standard small car . Such small cars were generally referred to as cyclecars until the 1940s. More recent models are also called bubblecars due to their egg-shaped appearance.-Definition:The definition of a microcar has varied...
s, the precursors to the modern city car. These included the Bond Minicar
Bond Minicar
Bond Minicar is the name given to a series of economical three-wheeled cars manufactured by Sharp's Commercials Limited , in Preston, Lancashire between 1949 and 1966....
and AC
AC Cars
AC Cars Group Ltd. formerly known as Auto Carriers Ltd. is a British specialist automobile manufacturer and one of the oldest independent car marques founded in Britain...
Petite
AC Petite
The AC Petite was a three-wheeled microcar with a rear-mounted 350 cc Villiers single cylinder, two stroke engine. The cars had a single bench seat seating two adults and was said to be capable of to and .There were two versions of the car...
in Britain; the Iso Isetta
Isetta
The Isetta is an Italian-designed microcar built in a number of different countries, including Spain, Belgium, France, Brazil, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Produced in the post-World War II years, a time when cheap short-distance transportation was most needed, it became one of the most...
in Italy in 1953; the Fulda, Messerschmitt Kabinenroller
Messerschmitt KR175
The Messerschmitt KR175 bubble car was the first vehicle built by Messerschmitt under its 1952 agreement with Fritz Fend. In concept, although not in actual design, it was an extended version of the Fend Flitzer invalid carriage...
, and Brütsh in Germany in 1954 (all two-seaters with a Fulda and Sachs two-stroke engine; the Goggomobil
Goggomobil
Goggomobil was a series of microcars produced in the Bavarian town Dingolfing after World War II by Glas.Glas produced three models on the Goggomobil platform: the Goggomobil T sedan, the Goggomobil TS coupé, and the Goggomobil TL van...
Isard (a 2+2, rather than a true four-seater); and the Gutbrod Superior. There was also the Dornier
Dornier Flugzeugwerke
Dornier Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturer founded in Friedrichshafen in 1914 by Claudius Dornier. Over the course of its long lifespan, the company produced many notable designs for both the civil and military markets.-History:...
-designed Zündapp
Zündapp
Zündapp was a major German motorcycle manufacturer. The company was founded in 1917 in Nuremberg by Fritz Neumeyer, together with the Friedrich Krupp AG and the machine tool manufacturer Thiel under the name "Zünder- und Apparatebau G.m.b.H." as a producer of detonators...
Janus
Zündapp Janus
Zündapp Janus was the name of a microcar model made by Zündapp in Germany between 1957 and 1958. Originally Zündapp made motorcycles, but in 1954 decided to make a more weatherproof vehicle. They looked at designs from Kroboth, Brütsch, and Fuldamobil before settling for a design by Dornier...
, which placed passengers back to back, and the Riley Reliant.
As the European economy improved, all but the Riley disappeared. In 1959, BMC
British Motor Corporation
The British Motor Corporation, or commonly known as BMC was a vehicle manufacturer from United Kingdom, formed by the merger of the Austin Motor Company and the Nuffield Organisation in 1952...
would introduce the best-known and most-successful city car, the Mini
Mini
The Mini is a small car that was made by the British Motor Corporation and its successors from 1959 until 2000. The original is considered a British icon of the 1960s, and its space-saving front-wheel-drive layout influenced a generation of car-makers...
. The concept persisted, seeing a revival at the 1967 Turin Motor Show, where battery-driven Fiat 500
Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is a car produced by the Fiat company of Italy between 1957 and 1975, with limited production of the Fiat 500 K estate continuing until 1977. The car was designed by Dante Giacosa....
s were shown by both Giannini
Giannini Automobili
Giannini Automobili S.p.A. is an Italian tuning company as well as a past producer of its own cars. Their focus has mainly been on Fiat cars. It was originally founded in 1920 by brothers Attilio and Domenico Giannini. The company headquarters are in Rome, Italy.-Origins:Originally founded in 1920...
and Moretti
Moretti Motor Company
Moretti Motor Company is a now defunct automobile manufacturer formerly based in Italy. It was founded in 1925 and ceased operations in the mid-1980s. Today, many of its sportscar models can still be found at various European auto shows...
, and de Tomaso
De Tomaso
De Tomaso Automobili SpA is an Italian car-manufacturing company. It was founded by the Argentine-born Alejandro de Tomaso in Modena in 1959. It originally produced various prototypes and racing cars, including a Formula One car for Frank Williams' team in 1970. The company developed a reputation...
showed an electric four-seater. DAF
DAF
-Science, nature and technology:* Decay accelerating factor, a protein involved in the complement system* Delayed auditory feedback, a device used to delay a person's voice to their own ear, which reduces stuttering and cluttering...
joined Italian motoring magazine Quattrorooute and Turin coachbuilder
Coachbuilder
A coachbuilder is a manufacturer of bodies for carriages or automobiles.The trade dates back several centuries. Rippon was active in the time of Queen Elizabeth I, Barker founded in 1710 by an officer in Queen Anne's Guards, Brewster a relative newcomer , formed in 1810. Others in Britain included...
OSI to produce the DAF City, which used Daffodil
DAF Daffodil
The DAF 750 is a small family car that was manufactured by DAF from 1961 until 1963. It replaced the DAF 600. At the same time as launching the 750, DAF launched the DAF Daffodil which was essentially the same car but with more luxurious fittings and a lot more chrome trim on the outside...
mechanicals. There were other new projects from 1969 through 1972. In 1972, Daihatsu proffered an electric model, while Toyota showed the Town Spider, with a choice of petrol or electric power, and General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
displayed three two-seaters, one electric, one gasoline, and one (unfortunately for GM, not a precursor) hybrid. The GM products were capable of only 0–30 mph (0–48.3 km/h) in 15 seconds and 30–45 mph (48.3–72.4 km/h) maximum, not good enough for normal city driving, nor could they meet the safety regulations which would be introduced in 1974.
While many of these cars can be considered city cars today, these cars have been replaced by larger cars with each passing generation. Exceptions are the smaller Fiat
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
s, especially the 1957 500 and 126
Fiat 126
The Fiat 126 is a city car introduced in October 1972 at the Turin Auto Show as a replacement for the Fiat 500. Most were produced in Bielsko-Biała, Poland as the Polski Fiat 126p until 2000...
. They were in the region of 3 metre in length, but had seating for four people, putting them outside the microcar category.
The replacement for the 126, the Cinquecento
Fiat Cinquecento
The Fiat Cinquecento was a city car designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro launched by Fiat in late 1991 to replace the Fiat 126. It was the first Fiat model to be solely manufactured in the FSM plant in Tychy, Poland, which had been sold to Fiat by the Polish state, and where production of the Polish...
, was presented in 1991 as a true city car. At only 3200 millimetre long, it had room for four and entry-level prices.
In Japan, regulations defining kei cars
Kei car
Kei cars, K-cars, or , are a Japanese category of small vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks. They are designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations, and in most rural areas are exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is...
were established on 8 July 1949. Production of compliant vehicles started around 1955–1958 by Daihatsu, Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi
The Mitsubishi Group , Mitsubishi Group of Companies, or Mitsubishi Companies is a Japanese multinational conglomerate company that consists of a range of autonomous businesses which share the Mitsubishi brand, trademark and legacy...
, Subaru
Subaru
; is the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries .Subaru is internationally known for their use of the boxer engine layout popularized in cars by the Volkswagen Beetle and Porsche 911, in most of their vehicles above 1500 cc as well as...
, and Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
.
The boom
Microvan
A microvan is a van that fits into Japanese kei car classification or similar. In certain regions, these models are inexpensive and widely used for small business because of tax and insurance benefits; for example, in Japan they are exempted from a certification that there is adequate parking...
and kei trucks, such as the Honda Today
Honda Today
This Honda Today was a kei car produced by the Japanese automaker Honda beginning in 1985. Its production ended in 1998.-Early:The first generation Today was introduced in September 1985 as a three-door hatchback, on a wheelbase of...
and the Honda Acty
Honda Acty
- External links :*****...
, Subaru Sambar
Subaru Sambar
The Subaru Sambar is an automobile built by automaker Subaru for the Japanese market. It is Japan's first Keitora , shorthand for "kei class truck" and is still in production. The Sambar is available in both microvan and Kei truck to fulfill the Kei car guidelines...
and Subaru Vivio
Subaru Vivio
The Subaru Vivio is a kei car that was introduced in March 1992, and manufactured by Subaru until October 1998. It has a 658 cc multi-point fuel-injected four-cylinder engine , which is small enough to place it in the light car class, giving its owners large tax breaks in Japan...
, Daihatsu Atrai and Daihatsu Mira
Daihatsu Mira
The Daihatsu Mira , is a kei car-type vehicle built by the Japanese car maker Daihatsu. It comes with a variety of options and chassis variations, with the latest variant having four models: "Mira", "Mira AVY", "Mira Gino" and "Mira VAN"...
, Mitsubishi Minica
Mitsubishi Minica
-Minica Sedan:The first Minica was first introduced in October 1962 as a two-door sedan based on the Mitsubishi 360 light truck, sharing its front-mounted ME21 359 cc twin-cylinder air-cooled engine driving the rear wheels, transverse leaf springs in front and beam axle/leaf springs at the...
and Mitsubishi Minicab
Mitsubishi Minicab
The Mitsubishi Minicab is a kei truck and microvan built and sold in Japan by Mitsubishi Motors since 1966.-First generation:The Minicab cab-over pickup truck was launched in 1966 to replace the 360, which by this time had adopted the same model name as the Minica sedan...
, and the Suzuki Fronte
Suzuki Fronte
The Fronte automobile was first introduced in March 1962 as a sedan version of the Suzulight Van. The nameplate remained in use for Suzuki's Kei car sedans until replaced by the Alto name in September 1988....
and Suzuki Wagon R
Suzuki Wagon R
The Suzuki Wagon R is a kei car first introduced in Japan in 1993, and is still in production by Suzuki. The R stands for Recreation. It is one of the first cars to use the "tall wagon or tall boy" design in which the car is designed to be unusually tall with a short bonnet and almost vertical...
. In Europe, Renault
Renault
Renault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
followed Fiat in 1993 with the Renault Twingo
Renault Twingo
The Renault Twingo is a city car built by French automaker Renault, first presented at the Paris Motor Show in September 1992 and sold in continental European markets beginning in 1993...
, which featured a MPV-like design and interior room, despite its size and height 3430 millimetre long and 1420 millimetre tall. Combined with an original exterior and interior design, it quickly became a best-seller. In 1996, the Ford Ka
Ford Ka
The Ford Ka is a city car from the Ford Motor Company marketed in Europe and elsewhere.The current European version is produced by Fiat Auto in Tychy, Poland, while the model sold in Latin America is built in Brazil and Argentina....
was presented with its radical New Edge
New Edge
New Edge was a styling theme used by Ford Motor Company for many of its passenger vehicles in the late 1990s and early 2000s and initially authored by Jack Telnack, who served as Vice President of Design for Ford from 1980 to 1997...
design. Its egg-shaped body did not leave much room in the rear seats, but many customers did not need them and preferred the Ka over more conservative designs.
In the mid 1990s, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n brands Daewoo
Daewoo
Daewoo or the Daewoo Group was a major South Korean chaebol . It was founded on 22 March 1967 as Daewoo Industrial and was dismantled by the Korean government in 1999...
and Hyundai
Hyundai
Hyundai ) is a global conglomerate company, part of the Korean chaebol, that was founded in South Korea by one of the most famous businessmen in Korean history: Chung Ju-yung...
introduced their city car entries, both for the Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
n and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an markets. The Hyundai Atos
Hyundai Atos
The Hyundai Atos is a city car produced by Hyundai. The original Atos was introduced in 1997. In 1999, it was joined by the less controversially styled Atos Prime. It uses the G4HC Epsilon straight-4 engine. The second generation Atos Prime was launched in 2004...
, launched in 1997, was 3500 millimetre long and 1600 millimetre high, which was much taller than any European models (usually under 1450 millimetre) and provided considerable interior space. Its boxy shape provoked mixed reactions.
The Daewoo Matiz
Daewoo Matiz
-M100 :The production of Daewoo Matiz started in 1998 and it was sold in South Korea and many European markets with the code name M100. The exterior design is based on the Lucciola, a Fiat Cinquecento concept by Italdesign Giugiaro which had been rejected by Fiat. The 0.8-litre gasoline engine and...
followed in 1998 with a Giorgetto Giugiaro
Giorgetto Giugiaro
Giorgetto Giugiaro is an Italian automobile designer responsible equally for a stable of supercars and several of the most popular everyday vehicles driven today...
design and a moderate height (1500 millimetre), which proved more eye-catching. Hyundai tried to react to this with the rounder Atos Prime but without much success.
These Korean city cars were much cheaper than most of the European models, especially the Opel/Vauxhall Agila
Opel Agila
The Opel Agila is a city car marketed since 2000 by German automaker Opel as a rebadged variant of the Suzuki Wagon R and Suzuki Splash manufactured by Magyar Suzuki. The same vehicle is rebadged as a Vauxhall in the United Kingdom....
(2000) and Volkswagen Lupo
Volkswagen Lupo
The Lupo is a city car manufactured by German automaker Volkswagen from 1998 to 2005.-Model history:The Lupo was introduced in 1998 to fill a gap at the bottom of the VW model range caused by the increasing size and weight of the VW Polo. Rivals included the Ford Ka, the Opel/Vauxhall Agila and...
(1999), yet were still reliable.
Later the Opel/Vauxhall Agila
Opel Agila
The Opel Agila is a city car marketed since 2000 by German automaker Opel as a rebadged variant of the Suzuki Wagon R and Suzuki Splash manufactured by Magyar Suzuki. The same vehicle is rebadged as a Vauxhall in the United Kingdom....
followed in 2000 based on the Japanese Suzuki Wagon R
Suzuki Wagon R
The Suzuki Wagon R is a kei car first introduced in Japan in 1993, and is still in production by Suzuki. The R stands for Recreation. It is one of the first cars to use the "tall wagon or tall boy" design in which the car is designed to be unusually tall with a short bonnet and almost vertical...
.
City car / supermini crossovers
While small family cars and superminiSupermini
A superminicomputer, or supermini, is “a minicomputer with high performance compared to ordinary minicomputers.” The term was an invention used from the mid-1970s mainly to distinguish the emerging 32-bit minis from the classical 16-bit minicomputers...
s grew considerably from the 1990s to the 2000s, the same happened with city cars. After some new superminis grew to be over 3900 millimetre long (like the Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is a front wheel drive supermini/subcompact manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company and built in Europe, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, China, India, Thailand and South Africa...
, Opel Corsa
Opel Corsa
The front-wheel drive Opel Corsa was first launched in September 1982 to replace the Opel Kadett C City, and to fill the gap vacated as the Kadett grew in size and price. Built in Zaragoza, Spain, the first Corsas were three-door hatchback and two-door saloon models, with four-door and five-door...
, the SEAT Ibiza
SEAT Ibiza
The SEAT Ibiza is a car in the European supermini class, constructed by the Spanish car maker SEAT S.A., is SEAT's best-selling car and perhaps the most popular model in the Spanish firm's range....
and the Volkswagen Polo
Volkswagen Polo
The Volkswagen Polo is a supermini car manufactured by Volkswagen. It is sold in Europe and other markets worldwide in hatchback, saloon, coupé and estate variants....
), some automakers developed city car models more than 3650 millimetre long.
The first of these models was the Nissan Micra (2002), which is 3720 millimetre long and smaller than many superminis of the late 1990s. Other cars are the Citroën C2
Citroën C2
The Citroën C2 is a supermini-class car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën since autumn of 2003, replacing the Citroën Saxo, it was built at the Aulnay plant on the outskirts of Paris. A different model, based on the Peugeot 206, is sold in China as the C2...
, Suzuki Swift
Suzuki Cultus
The Suzuki Cultus is a supermini first presented at the 25th Tokyo Motor Show, formally introduced to the Japanese domestic market in 1983 and ultimately manufactured in seven countries across three generations and marketed worldwide under more than a dozen nameplates — prominently as the Suzuki...
, Smart Forfour
Smart Forfour
The Smart Forfour was a supermini produced by Smart between April 2004 and June 2006. Unlike the other models of the marque, the Forfour was a more conventional five-door hatchback with a relatively roomy interior, available as a four-/five-seater....
, Toyota Yaris
Toyota Yaris
The Toyota Yaris is a subcompact car produced by Toyota since 1999. Between 1999 and 2005, some markets received the same vehicles under the Toyota Echo name...
and Peugeot 1007
Peugeot 1007
The Peugeot 1007 is a hatchback produced by the French automobile manufacturer Peugeot from 2004 to 2009. It was based on the same platform as the Peugeot 206 and Citroën C3.-Design:...
(the last one which can also be labelled as a mini MPV
Mini MPV
Mini MPV is a car classification used to describe superminis or subcompacts which have taller build, fitting below the compact MPV and large MPV classifications....
).
These vehicles are hard to classify, since their size does not fit the "city car" or "supermini" categories. A possibility is to compare the price and interior room with superminis: the Yaris is definitely a supermini, whereas the Tata Indica
Tata Indica
The Tata Indica is a hatchback automobile range manufactured by Tata Motors of India. It is the first passenger car from Tata Motors and is also considered India's first indigenously developed passenger car. , more than 910,000 Indicas were produced. The annual sales of Indica has been as high as ...
is closer to a city car.
In addition, in the last few years some "true" city cars were released: the Smart Fortwo
Smart Fortwo
The Smart Fortwo is a rear-engined two-seater city car manufactured by Smart GmbH, introduced at the 1998 Paris Motor Show as the Smart City Coupé, and currently in its second generation...
(1998), the Fiat Panda
Fiat Panda
The Fiat Panda is a city car from the Italian automobile manufacturer Fiat. The first Fiat Panda was introduced in 1980, and was produced until 2003 with only a few changes. It is now sometimes referred to as the "old Panda". The second model, launched in 2003, is sometimes referred to "New Panda"...
(2003), the Kia Picanto
Kia Picanto
The Kia Picanto, known as the Kia Morning in South Korea and Chile, Kia EuroStar in Taiwan, Kia New Morning in Vietnam and the Naza Suria or Naza Picanto in Malaysia, is a low cost city car produced by Kia Motors....
(2004), the Citroën C1
Citroën C1
The Citroën C1 is a city car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën since 2005.The C1 was developed as part of the B-Zero project by PSA Peugeot Citroën in a joint-venture with Toyota. The Peugeot 107 is identical to the C1 other than the front bumper and front and rear lights, while the...
/Peugeot 107
Peugeot 107
The Peugeot 107 is a city car produced by French automaker Peugeot since mid 2005.The 107 was developed by the B-Zero project of PSA Peugeot Citroën in a joint-venture with Toyota; the Citroën C1 and Toyota Aygo are badge engineered versions of the same car, although the Aygo has more detail...
/Toyota Aygo
Toyota Aygo
The Toyota Aygo is a city car sold by Toyota in Europe since 2005. All Aygos are built at the new factory of the Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile Czech joint venture in Kolin, Czech Republic. The Aygo was first displayed at the 2005 Salon de l'Automobile de Genève...
(2005), Toyota iQ
Toyota iQ
The Toyota iQ is a city car introduced at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show, with Japanese sales having begun in October 2008 and European sales in January 2009. The production iQ followed a concept vehicle presented at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show. A North American version of the iQ, branded as the Scion...
(2008), Volkswagen Fox
Volkswagen Fox
The Volkswagen CrossFox is a mini SUV version which sets it apart from the standard Fox. As is the case for other similar models, it is available only with front-wheel drive....
(2006), Fiat Nuova 500
Fiat Nuova 500
The Fiat 500 or Fiat Nuova 500 is a city car built by Italian automaker Fiat since 2007. The car is currently produced in Tychy, Poland by Fiat Auto Poland S.A. and in Toluca, Mexico, by Chrysler Group LLC. The four-seater, three-door hatchback 500 is almost identical to the retro concept car...
(2007), Hyundai i10
Hyundai i10
The Hyundai i10 is a 5-door hatchback subcompact produced by the Hyundai Motor Company. It was launched in October 2007, replacing the Hyundai Atos in some markets.The i10 is produced in India at Hyundai's Chennai plant for the domestic and export markets...
(2007), the Opel/Vauxhall Agila
Opel Agila
The Opel Agila is a city car marketed since 2000 by German automaker Opel as a rebadged variant of the Suzuki Wagon R and Suzuki Splash manufactured by Magyar Suzuki. The same vehicle is rebadged as a Vauxhall in the United Kingdom....
(2007), Ford Ka
Ford Ka
The Ford Ka is a city car from the Ford Motor Company marketed in Europe and elsewhere.The current European version is produced by Fiat Auto in Tychy, Poland, while the model sold in Latin America is built in Brazil and Argentina....
(2008) the Tata Nano
Tata Nano
The Tata Nano is an inexpensive, rear-engined, four-passenger city car built by the Indian company Tata Motors and is aimed primarily at the Indian domestic market....
(2009), Volkswagen Up!
Volkswagen up!
The Volkswagen up! is an upcoming series of city cars, part of the Volkswagen Group New Small Family series of models, unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show . Production of the up! will start on 3 December 2011 in Germany, and elsewhere, in 2012....
(2011) , Seat Mii
SEAT Mii
The SEAT Mii is a small car produced by the Spanish manufacturer SEAT officially presented on October 2011, part of the Volkswagen Group New Small Family series of models. SEAT Mii production started in 2011, and the car will be launched in the European market with its sales starting in the fourth...
(2012) , Skoda Citigo
Škoda Citigo
The Škoda Citigo is a small car produced in Bratislava, Slovakia. Citigo production started in October 2011, and the car will be launched in the Czech Republic first, then in the rest of the Europe, as well as Asian and Russian markets, in 2012. Currently there is only a 3-door-version. The 5-door...
(2012).
See also
- Battery electric vehicleBattery electric vehicleA battery electric vehicle, or BEV, is a type of electric vehicle that uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs. BEVs use electric motors and motor controllers instead of, or in addition to, internal combustion engines for propulsion.A battery-only electric vehicle or...
(often very small to save weight) - Car classificationCar classificationCars may be classified by a number of different criteria; however, comprehensive classification is elusive, because a vehicle may fit into multiple categories, or not completely satisfy the requirements for any. This article details the most commonly used systems of classification. Where...
- Economy carEconomy carAn economy car is an automobile that is designed for low cost operation. Typical economy cars are small, light weight, and inexpensive to buy. Economy car designers are forced by stringent design constraints to be inventive...
- Electric carElectric carAn electric car is an automobile which is propelled by electric motor, using electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device. Electric cars were popular in the late-19th century and early 20th century, until advances in internal combustion engine technology and mass...
- Electric vehicle conversionElectric vehicle conversionAn electric vehicle conversion is the modification of a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle to electric propulsion, creating an all-electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.-Elements of a conversion:...
- Kei carKei carKei cars, K-cars, or , are a Japanese category of small vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, and pickup trucks. They are designed to comply with Japanese government tax and insurance regulations, and in most rural areas are exempted from the requirement to certify that adequate parking is...
- MicrocarMicrocarA microcar is the smallest automobile classification usually applied to standard small car . Such small cars were generally referred to as cyclecars until the 1940s. More recent models are also called bubblecars due to their egg-shaped appearance.-Definition:The definition of a microcar has varied...
- Microhybrid
- MIT CarMIT CarThe MIT Car is a concept car project conceived at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States, for the purpose of exploring the idea of urban mobility. This intensive study on advanced human traveling has been in progress since 2003...
(using "City Car" as a brand name) - Neighborhood electric vehicleNeighborhood electric vehicleA Neighborhood Electric Vehicle is a U.S. denomination for battery electric vehicles that are legally limited to roads with posted speed limits as high as depending on the particular laws of the state, usually are built to have a top speed of , and have a maximum loaded weight of 3,000 lbs...
(NEV) - Plug-in hybrid
- REVAREVAThe REVAi, known as G-Wiz in the UK, is a small micro electric car, made by the Indian manufacturer REVA Electric Car Company since 2001...
, the Indian electric city car commercialised in Europe - Smart FortwoSmart FortwoThe Smart Fortwo is a rear-engined two-seater city car manufactured by Smart GmbH, introduced at the 1998 Paris Motor Show as the Smart City Coupé, and currently in its second generation...
- SuperminiSuperminiA superminicomputer, or supermini, is “a minicomputer with high performance compared to ordinary minicomputers.” The term was an invention used from the mid-1970s mainly to distinguish the emerging 32-bit minis from the classical 16-bit minicomputers...
car - Vehicle size classVehicle size classVehicle size classes are a way of classifying cars. The common North American parlance is word-based, while English-speaking European writers also use words to describe car sizes...