Aixam - Mega is a French automobile manufacturer based in Aix-les-Bains, Savoie. It was founded in 1983 to make microcars in the old Arola factory after that company failed.
In 1992 they started making a range of standard sized cars under the Mega brand, but by 2002 this brand was just being applied to a diesel and electric range [1] of microvans and light utility vehicles.
The company currently produces the Aixam A.7XX series (powered by Kubota diesel engines), a microcar comparable with the Smart. A notable difference is that some of the smaller models are restricted to 45 km/h (30 mph) and can be driven without a driver's licence in some European countries (including France, Italy and Portugal, but not the UK).
In Britain they are classified as a quadricycle (quad bike) because of their weight and power output. This requires either a full car licence or a full unlimited capacity motorcycle licence to legally drive them.
They can be thought of as a sort of modern "2CV", not fast (about 100 km/h or 60 mph ), but economical (often over 90 mpg or under 2.6 L/100km ), and with a roomy body made from a strong alloy frame covered with plastic panels (no rust). The low-emissions Kubota engines plus the automatic CVT transmission make them exceptionally "green" vehicles; and it is now possible to get various electric car versions.
Aixam-Mega is currently (2006) Europe's largest producer of microcars and its products are available in the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Finland, Greece, the Netherlands, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Aixam-Mega vehicles
- Aixam Crossline/A-series (berlina quadricycle): crossline (diesel or gasoline, top speed 45 or 93 km/h), A-721 (diesel, 45 km/h), A-741 (diesel 95 km/h), A-751 (diesel , 78 km/h).
- Aixam Scouty/Scouty-R (convertible) (diesel or gasoline, 45 or 93 km/h).
- Aixam Crossline (SUV-style) (diesel or gasoline): top speed 45 or 93 km/h.
- Mega City (electric), top speed 64 km/h, in collaboration with NICE
- Mega Moskito Micro Pick-up
- Mega MultiTruck (diesel or electric)
Former vehicles
- Aixam MAC
- Aixam Berlines
- Aixam Minivan
- Aixam Pick-up
- Aixam Microcar
- Mega Concept
- Mega Monte Carlo (sports car)
- Mega Track (sports car)
Other microcar producers:
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References
- ^ Voiturette sans permis – Aixam le premier constructeur de voitures sans permis
External links
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