Retro-style electric vehicle zips through city

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【Summary】Slovakia's Patak Motors has introduced an electric roadster with a retro design inspired by the 1930s. The two-seater vehicle has a top speed of 130 km/h and a range of up to 250 km per charge. It features a 15-kW electric motor, a 10-kWh or 20-kWh battery pack, and various optional features such as touchscreen display, Bluetooth, and navigation. The Rodster is set to go into production later this year, with a starting price of €22,900 for the electric model.

FutureCar Staff Oct 16, 2023 6:24 AM PT

Retro-style electric vehicle zips through city

Slovakia's Patak Motors has announced that it is now accepting orders for its new electric roadster. The vehicle, called the Rodster, draws inspiration from the limited-edition tribute to the Bugatti Type 35 that was unveiled in 2019. With a top speed of 130 km/h and a range of up to 250 km per charge, the Rodster aims to combine modern driving characteristics with a unique retro design from the 1930s.

According to Andrej Hulala, the CEO of Patak Motors, the goal was to create a vehicle that evokes strong emotions. Whether it's for commuting, shopping, taking children to school, or going on a weekend ride, the company believes that every drive in the Rodster will be enjoyable. The sporty electric two-seater has been in development since 2020 and occupies the design space between a small car and a motorcycle.

The Rodster features several design elements that pay homage to classic roadsters. It is equipped with spoked 19-inch alloy wheels, full fenders, and retro-looking round LED headlights. The rear of the vehicle features bullet-style rear lights and a central lighting strip where the curved body sides meet. The Rodster can be configured as an open-top city drive or with a folding roof. Inside, the car boasts a round mirror on each door, a tri-spoke steering wheel made from wood and metal, and a wooden dashboard.

Under the hood, the Rodster is powered by a 15-kW motor, although a version with a single-cylinder 4-stroke gas engine is also planned. It can accelerate from 0 to 50 km/h in seven seconds and has a top speed of 130 km/h. The vehicle is equipped with a 10-kWh or 20-kWh battery pack, providing a range of up to 250 km per charge. Charging the battery over a 230-V wall outlet is estimated to take around 4 hours, and the Rodster can also be charged at public chargers using a Type 2 connection. The car features regenerative braking to maximize battery range.

The Rodster offers a range of features for comfort and convenience. It includes 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. Safety features such as airbags, an immobilizer, ABS, power steering, traction control, a proprietary stabilization system, and brake booster are included as standard. Optional extras include rear parking sensors, a four-spoke steering wheel, designer tires, and a choice of interior and exterior colors.

With dimensions of 3,360 x 1,360 x 1,395 mm, the Rodster is designed for easy inner-city parking. In many parts of Europe, drivers aged 16 and over can operate the vehicle with a Group B/B1 license. Patak Motors plans to start production of the Rodster towards the end of this year, with reservations currently being accepted. The starting price for the electric model is expected to be €22,900, while the gas version will cost €16,900. The first 300 models will be numbered.

The Patak Rodster represents a new direction in urban micromobility, offering a blend of retro design and modern electric technology. To learn more about the Rodster, visit the official product page.