Retro-style electric vehicle for zipping around the city

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【Summary】Slovakian company Patak Motors is now accepting orders for its electric roadster, the Rodster. The retro-designed two-seater has a top speed of 130 km/h and a range of up to 250 km per charge. It features a 15-kW motor and can reach 50 km/h in seven seconds. The vehicle can be configured as an open-top city drive or with a folding roof. Production is expected to begin later this year, with prices starting at €22,900 for the electric model.

FutureCar Staff Oct 16, 2023 9:27 AM PT

Retro-style electric vehicle for zipping around the city

Slovakia's Patak Motors is now accepting orders for its new electric roadster, which draws inspiration from the limited-edition tribute to the Bugatti Type 35. The company's CEO, Andrej Hulala, describes the vehicle as a combination of modern driving characteristics and a unique retro design from the 1930s. The Rodster offers a top speed of 130 km/h and a per-charge range of up to 250 km.

The sporty electric two-seater has been in development since 2020 and occupies the design space between a small car and a motorcycle. It features spoked 19-inch alloy wheels, retro-looking round LED headlights, and bullet-style rear lights. The vehicle can be configured as an open-top city drive or with a folding roof. Inside, there are round mirrors on each door, a tri-spoke steering wheel made from wood and metal, and a wooden dash.

The Rodster is equipped with a 15-kW motor, capable of reaching 50 km/h in seven seconds and a top speed of 130 km/h. It is powered by either a 10-kWh or 20-kWh battery pack, offering a potential per-charge range of up to 250 km. Charging can be done over a 230-V wall outlet in approximately four hours or at a public charger using a Type 2 connection. The vehicle also features regenerative braking to maximize battery range.

Additional features of the Rodster include rack-and-pinion steering, retro seating with luggage storage, and a multi-function touchscreen display with optional Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and a speaker system. Standard safety features include airbags, an immobilizer, ABS, power steering, traction control, a proprietary stabilization system, and brake booster. Optional extras include rear parking sensors, a four-spoke steering wheel, designer tires, and a choice of interior/exterior colors.

With dimensions of 3,360 x 1,360 x 1,395 mm, the Rodster is suitable for inner-city parking and can be driven by individuals aged 16 and over in most of Europe under a Group B/B1 license. Production is expected to begin towards the end of this year, with reservations currently being accepted for a down payment of €500. The starting price for the electric model is estimated to be €22,900, while the gas version will be priced at €16,900. The first 300 models will be numbered.

Overall, the Patak Rodster offers a unique blend of retro design and modern driving characteristics, making it an appealing option for urban micromobility.