If you’ve got bored of the usual SUVs, then French startup Kilow has got the perfect off-roading set of wheels if you are a couple. Meet the two-seater La Bagnole electric UTV that can also be categorized as a mini pickup truck for the appropriate tasks. The makers label it as a vehicle “stripped of the superfluous, ideal for daily journeys and designed to be fun and practical.”
La Bagnole has a typical Willys Jeep vibe from the front – just look at that grille and the open-wheel design. Thus, the vehicle is primarily used for adventures and dirt-laden tracks for the outdoorsy who love to head outside the city limits every now and then. Don’t expect it to go at breakneck speeds on the freeway (it’s more like a crawling machine) since the entry-level variant maxes out at 29 mph and the much more powerful version churns out a 50 mph top speed.
Designer: Kilow
The EV is quite lightweight having a dry weight of 770 lb and both variants have a respectable range. 43 miles and 87 miles respectively. One big advantage here is the ability to charge via a standard outlet in just a few hours. Rather than being a full-blown SUV or MUV, La Bagnole is more of an alternative to a two-wheeler with the freedom to tread inhospitable terrain. More so when it has got a steel chassis and galvanized steel double-wishbone suspension. Those skinny tires don’t look to assuring for a hardcore off-roading experience, still good enough for the odd detour down the trails. For times when you need to haul medium-sized cargo, the vehicle won’t let you down.
If you are already thinking it’s more like a toy car for adults, bingo… The EV ships in a toy car-inspired box which can be recycled as a storage crate. There is even an option to charge the battery off-grid with integrated solar panels. The vehicle debuted at the Paris Motor Show last week and grabbed attention for its unconventional looks.
The base L6e version will not require a driver’s license while the beefier version will require the honors. La Bagnole will come at a starting price tag of $9,975 and the deliveries are expected by early 2023.
