Wednesday 2nd July 2014

Carice Mk1: back to basics retro speedster a twist

Looks like a Porsche 356, powered by an electric motor, made of plastic

---

Continuing in the recent Hitchhiker's Guide vein, at first sight of this Carice Mk1 it's tempting to sigh "Oh no, not... another Porsche 356 replica". But the Carice is a little bit different - and not just because its makers hail from the Netherlands.

Nawww, ain't it cute?

For starters, the 356 reference is more tribute than rip-off - the people behind the project simply saying (via Google translate) they were aiming to "take away unnecessary things" and "get to the essence of motoring".

Then there's the small matter of its propulsion. Which turns out to be via an electric motor.

And not even a particularly big one. Interested buyers get the choice of 20hp or 54hp - or, if they're shopping for the 16-year-old in the family, a 5hp "Junior Version". Oh crumbs.

Sounds bad, doesn't it? But when Carice talks unnecessary essences, it really isn't kidding. For in spite of that typically heavyweight electric motor kit, the whole Mk1 is quoted at just 350kg.

The secret is in the backbone chassis design, which accommodates the lithium ion batteries in such a manner that the car is also said to achieve 50:50 weight distribution. The total lack of any kind of roof probably helps. As does the plastic bodywork.

Well the interior is very appealing at least

We can't decide if all this makes it seem interesting, or simply like a giant radio controlled car.

Our advice: don't crash it.

There are no performance stats of any kind at present, but a range-extender and even a hydrogen fuel cell are potential alternative power sources. Apparently.

Anyway, at least Carice hasn't gone entirely mad with the price, quoting a starting point of €22,000 plus tax (currently around £17,555). That's less than a used conventionalreplica, and a drop in the ocean compared to the real thing.

Initially, a run of just 10 Carice Mk1s are planned, each custom finished to the buyer's requirements - we rather like the interior of this one. But maybe that's the whale falling on our heads...

[MrTappets]

On paper, at least, I really like it. Interesting is good, and it's certainly pretty. I'd have mine with a red/yellow Noddy paintjob.

[kambites]

That's lovely.

I should think 54bhp would be enough to be fun at that weight.

[V8 GRF]

Nice idea in concept but seems a bit expensive, or is that the true cost of an electric power train?

Can't help thinking it might be nicer and a more attractive proposition with one of the new 1 litre, 3 pot engines from Ford or BMW.

[G0ldfysh]

As a sunny days cruiser, if the range is decent enough this would be lovely to have tucked away in the garage.
Please don't let it sound too much like a milk float though.

[3WheelDrift]

Quote

"Our advice: don't crash it."

Doesn't that go for most cars? Surely this adds a large chunk of personal responsibility

I love it. I think it's a really refreshing take on "fun" and "sports" when applied to "car" and I applaud their vision.

Hope people take the concept to heart and it does well.

[scubadude]

Yes, to echo the poster above, the "don't crash it" advice and generally negative tone of this article is not up the usual standards on PH- why all the hate?

The little Carice looks very interesting and the interior shown here is beautiful, plenty of mainstream manufacturers (and definitely all the kit car makers) should take a look IMO.

[Fetchez la vache]

kambites said:

That's lovely.

I should think 54bhp would be enough to be fun at that weight.

Yep. My old beach buggy had about that, and weighed about that too. Went like stink, but something tells me the electric motor won't make such a din, which is half the fun.

[JDMDrifter]

What a lovely little thing, could imagine commuting to work in this

[Aclucas]

That looks like great fun, and big smiles. I hope it does well - I can imagine their 10 cars will be sold very quickly.

[chris watton]

Nice!

I also like this, which I seen in the flesh at the Stoneleigh Kit Car Show last year:

http://www.chesil.biz/Chesil_Home.htm

[vrooom]

350kg with that interior?
look lovely.

[NotThatHamilton]

That would be a dream summers day car, but god help if it rains...

[LuS1fer]

I assume those are MINI lights and they are fractionally too big so making it look more like a Beetle than a 356. I still would.

[pd2]

I like it, just not 100% sure of the rear, but I could live with it.

[loudlashadjuster]

Quite like that.

One overlooked aspect of the electric car revolution (if we can call it that, yet) is that it should allow a new generation of smaller manufacturers like this to explore alternative kinds of cars, freed from the packaging, engineering and cost implications of an internal combustion engine and drivetrain.

Smaller, cheaper, commoditised batteries and motors should allow a lot more of this kind of thing in future and that has to be A Good Thing.

[sideways man]

Everybody knows 'the past' is always better but sometimes we have to move on.
As an antidote to overweight cars with electric steering,airbags,heated seats etc,this could be a great compromise.

[BoRED S2upid]

I like that. Now ditch the electric nonsence stick a tiny engine in it from something like a Fiat 500 keep weight below 500KG and were getting somewhere.

[RenesisEvo]

loudlashadjuster said:

One overlooked aspect of the electric car revolution (if we can call it that, yet) is that it should allow a new generation of smaller manufacturers like this to explore alternative kinds of cars, freed from the packaging, engineering and cost implications of an internal combustion engine and drivetrain.

Smaller, cheaper, commoditised batteries and motors should allow a lot more of this kind of thing in future and that has to be A Good Thing.

Well said! And I too find something like this refreshing and interesting. No headline grabbing power outputs, torque or other numerical willy-waving, just something that looks like it will be a laugh to drive at any speed. It will likely need a temporary canvas roof to really be useable in the UK. For a short blast on a sunny day, this would brilliant.

Edited by RenesisEvo on Wednesday 2nd July 14:51

[3WheelDrift]

BoRED S2upid said:

I like that. Now ditch the electric nonsense stick a tiny engine in it from something like a Fiat 500 keep weight below 500KG and were getting somewhere.

How about they throw in a turbo and give it a couple of hundred horses while they're at it. They'd only have to stiffen everything up, add bigger brakes and wider wheels. Can't imagine that'd add too much weight and then it'd be perfect (or just like everything else in that niche).


Whoosh. . . . . . . . as the whole point goes flying over

Edited by 3WheelDrift on Wednesday 2nd July 14:43

[Petee]

Wow - resounding positivity from the PH gang! I must say I think it looks superb, and actually the price seems pretty reasonable for what is still a pretty cutting-edge vehicle in some ways.

Good luck to them, and let's have more of the same.