- Geparda converts used VW Up! models to comply with Europe’s L5e segment.
- Modifications include a new rear axle with a double wheel and a 20 hp engine.
- The model can be driven by 16-year-olds, but cost around $24,000 in Germany.
Most people tinker with their cars to make them look cooler or go faster. The Geparda, however, has a slightly different goal in mind. This quirky little vehicle is based on the now-discontinued VW Up! city car, but with one crucial distinction: it’s designed to be driven by 16-year-olds.
How does it pull this off? With a clever rear axle design and a detuned powertrain, the Geparda slips neatly into Europe’s L5e category. This classification allows anyone with an A1 driver’s license to legally drive it across the EU—two whole years earlier than the standard license. Unlike the clunky, bare-bones quadricycles in the L6e segment, such as the Citroen Ami or Renault Twizy, the Geparda actually keeps the creature comforts you’d expect from a real car.
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The most obvious modification is the new rear axle, which features a “double wheel” configuration in the middle. Yes, it looks like a three-wheeler, but don’t be fooled as the Geparda rides on four tires, taking advantage of a regulatory loophole. The rear wheel arches, which are mostly decorative now (because they’re empty), have been given some aero-friendly cover. The VW badges are also gone.
Powertrain: Detuned and Ready to Roll
In order to comply with the L5e regulations, the 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine of the VW Up! has been detuned to 20 hp (15 kW), with the help of a re-programmed ECU. Note that the original produced between 59-114 hp (44-85 kW / 60-116 PS) depending on the version. So, yes, it’s slow—really slow. But hey, this thing will still hit 110 km/h (68 mph), which means you can legally join traffic on the highway, if you’re feeling particularly brave.
According to the company, the Geparda put in thousands of kilometers during testing before it was cleared for the road. To make sure it doesn’t flip over like an overzealous go-kart on tight corners, engineers added an H&R stabilizer bar to the front axle, paired with special Eibach springs at the rear. Furthermore, the throttle settings have been tweaked for “smooth power delivery”, with the safety systems of the original (ESP, ABS, and airbags) being carried over.
Light on Weight, Heavy on Price
Another requirement for the L5e segment is that the weight must stay under 1,000 kg (2,205 pounds), a limit that the stock VW Up! already meets. The interior remains largely unchanged, with features like A/C and heated seats included as standard. However, the central placement of the “double wheel” at the rear reduces the already limited cargo space in the city car.
Since it’s based on a discontinued model, the Geparda can only be found as a used vehicle. The company’s website currently lists two examples with around 25,000 km (15,500 miles) on the clock. The cheapest two-door Geparda is priced at €22,850 ($23,600), while the four-door model costs €23,500 ($24,200), which makes them significantly more expensive than most used VW Up! models available in Germany.
The Competition
It’s worth noting that the Geparda isn’t the only modified small hatchback trying to cash in on the L5e segment. Another company, Ellenator, offers similar conversions based on models like the Fiat 500, Seat Ibiza, Skoda Fabia, and VW Polo. In Ellenator’s case, you can either buy a complete vehicle or fork out around €5,680 ($5,900) for a conversion kit. It’s a niche market, but hey, there’s a certain charm in making a tiny car legal for a 16-year-old to drive
