Modern cars may be getting bigger and bigger in most parts of the world, but that trend doesn’t hold true everywhere. The perfect example of that is the Ari Motors 902, a tiny electric van for Europe aimed at light-duty urban cargo transportation.
The diminutive German EV looks a bit like the new Hyundai Kona up front with its full-width light bar, while the rear bears somewhat of a resemblance to the Smart #1 with its diverging taillights, but regardless of its styling, its size alone is enough to grab people’s attention.
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At 2.95 meters (9.68 ft) long, 1.50 meters (4.92 ft) wide, and 1.5 meters (4.92 ft in) tall, the 902 is about 80 percent the size of a Mazda Miata by volume. However, with 766 liters (27 cubic feet) of cargo space, it can hold significantly more than the Japanese sports coupe. That’s to be expected, considering it’s technically a van, however it’s still only about as much cargo space as a Toyota Corolla Cross with the seats in place. Additionally, the vehicle’s payload capacity is only 190 kg (419 lb).
As for powertrain specs the 902 makes a mere 20 hp (20 PS / 15 kW) and has a top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph). That being said, it can travel 110-200 km (68-124 mi) on a full charge, which, on the high end, is actually more than the much larger Mazda MX-30. Pricing for the 902 starts at €13,990 ($15,381) for the base Pure model and stretches up to €13,990 ($17,580) for the range-topping Comfort.
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While we’ve mostly been ragging on the 902 for the majority of this article, there are some good things to say about it. All models come standard with a digital gauge cluster, Bluetooth audio, and a rear-view camera, so while they may be bare bones, they’re not completely devoid of creature comforts. If you step up to the Cargo trim, which adds tie-down points in the trunk, the list of standard features grows to include air conditioning and power steering. Move your way up to the Comfort model, and you can get a retractable cargo cover, fog lights, and driver assistance systems such as traffic sign recognition and lane-keep assist. Other options include a roof rack, a solar panel, and even a glass pop-up roof.
