Aixam 400 and 500 Evolution : FRENCH SENSE

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If Youre After A Small Runabout For Urban Use, Then, Though You Might Not Know It, A Quadricycle Like This Aixam 500 Evolution Could Be Just What Youre Looking For. Jonathan Crouch Reports

Want to join the quadricycle revolution? Youd be forgiven for feeling a touch reticent about the idea. A quadricycle after all, sounds like something youd see at the circus, not a vehicle youd park on your driveway. Yet a car it is at least to look at.

The beaureaucrats dont class it that way. For them, a vehicle like the Aixam featured here is no more or less than a four-wheeled motorbike which is the main reason you can drive it on a motorbike licence. Dont be put off however. This little car makes an awful lot of sense if you want something for local or urban travel.

Its economical, affordable, ecologically green and just as comfortable and versatile as any ordinary supermini. Aixam is a French company that has been selling cars like this in Europe for decades to ready customers right across the Continent looking to keep the attributes of a car yet dramatically cut their running costs. Its only with Britains wholehearted entry into Europe, however, that quadricycles like this are being made available here with Aixam leading the way. The company is offering two diesel-powered versions here to begin with the 400 and the 500 Evolution Ranges with a wide Range of specification options at prices starting from £6,897 for the 400 and £6,530 to £7,577 for the 500.

Because quadricycles are limited to a ceiling of 550 kilograms in weight and 20bhp in power output, you shouldnt expect too much in terms of performance from the two Kubota twin cylinder diesel engines on offer, which develop around 15 or 20bhp, depending on your choice between 400 and 500 models.

"The Evolution tag applied to the latest models denotes much improved, sleeker styling "

Unless you really are planning to do nothing more than go to the shops and back, its probably worth paying a little extra and going for the 500 which manages a maximum of 55mph (instead of 42mph) and has a better chance of keeping up with the traffic flow in terms of acceleration. There isnt too much of a penalty at the pumps through opting for the bigger engine either: expect to average at least 70mpg (rather than 80mpg) even around town. Whichever Aixam you choose, the three-door bodywork is basically the same and is almost 100% recyclable. The first thing to say here is that the monocoque body should prove just as safe in an accident as any other small car. Though quadricycles are not required to pass normal EEC crash tests by law, Aixam decided to complete the procedure anyway the first manufacturer of cars in this sector to do so.

The car passed with flying colours, meeting all requirements, including those for side impact and safety belt anchors. The cabin is extremely spacious for a car just 2585mm in length, mainly thanks to its width which allows for 1270mm of elbow room. On the move, the recently improved sound-insulated interior should prove just as quiet as most other small cars, while the MacPherson strut front suspension (and trailing arm rear suspension) aims to soften the effect of poor city surfaces. Once inside however, theres not much to remind you that this is unlike any other ordinary small runabout.

The Evolution tag applied to the latest models denotes much improved, sleeker styling, which now incorporates halogen headlamps and revised rear light clusters. Theres a new dashboard too and a much improved heating and ventilation system. Equipment depends of course on your choice of trim levels. Customers choose between E, L and SL trim levels.

All come with the usual basics like warning and reversing lights, two-speed wipers, internally adjustable drivers door mirror, ashtray, laminated windscreen, 3-speed heater, sunvisors with passenger vanity mirror, deluxe carpeting and radio pre-equipment. Having said that, unless you really are buying on a budget (the 400 series model doesnt even have rear seats), then its probably best to stick to the L and SL 500 series models which come with niceties like electric windows, central locking, deluxe front seats, folding rear seats and tinted glass. On top of this, the SL also adds colour-coded bumpers, alloy wheels and, rather unnecessarily, imitation walnut wood trim on the dash. Theres also a clever electric sunroof with UV protection that closes automatically when the ignition is turned off though, curiously, its only offered on the 400SL.

And warranty? Well, you can expect the usual year on parts and labour. Whether youd want one of these cars really boils down to your intended use for it. Yes, for the same kind of money, you could buy a secondhand supermini. But in buying a car like that, would you really be buying more than you need if urban or to-the-shops-and-back use is all you ever require? Would you be paying a lot more in running costs for dynamic ability that your lifestyle renders unnecessary? If the answers yes, then its worth checking out an Aixam.

You might be surprised to find that its just what you need.

Facts At A Glance CARS: Aixam 400 and 500 Evolution series
PRICES: £6,897 [400 SL] / £6,530-£7,577 [500] - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: [400] n/a / [500] 3
PERFORMANCE: [500]Max Speed 55mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [500] (average) 70mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Meets all major EEC passenger car safety tests WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE: [400] length/width/heightmm 2585/1375/1310mm