City Transformer CT-1, the car that shrinks on demand

The quadricycle market is also beginning to shift towards electric. Many players are positioning themselves, with some surprising projects. With the CT-1, City Transformer offers a small car with expandable tracks, for example.

Modular or more precisely extendable, since it is the width where City Transformer’s technology has an impact. The wheels can either fold into the car or extend out, with the idea of always having a vehicle suited to the current needs. From 1 meter in City mode, the width increases to 1.4 meters in “Performance” mode.

In the city, narrower lanes have no significant impact on driving behavior, as the car travels at a moderate pace. However, they do make it easier to weave through traffic and especially facilitate parking. According to City Transformer, it is possible to fit 4 CT-1s in “City” mode on a standard parking space. On the road, the situation is different: without the parking constraint and with a wider road, there is no need to minimize the space between the two wheels. Conversely, it is better to widen it for more stability.

A French company involved in the City Transformer project

Otherwise, the CT-1 is a classic electric car. Measuring 2.5 meters in length, it can seat two people. Its two electric motors, each delivering 7.5 kW, allow it to reach a top speed of 90 km/h. City Transformer aims for a maximum range of 180 km and a charge from 0 to 80% in 30 minutes. However, we will need to wait for the final tuning to know the definitive technical specifications.

City Transformer has been working on the CT-1 since 2014. To successfully develop the project, the Israeli company recently formed a partnership with Segula Technologies, an engineering group based in France. City Transformer has set a target to launch the CT-1 in 2024. Currently, the purchase price is set at €16,000.

Read also: ElectraMeccanica Solo EV: a three-wheeled electric car