Technology City Transformer
Smart Heir
City Transformer CEO Dr. Asaf Formoza
© press-inform – the press office
The electric City Transformer with an adjustable track width should be an important part of the urban mobility of the future. The highlight of the two-seater is the adjustable track width, which can be reduced to one meter.
When the first Smart appeared on the scene at the end of the 1990s, quite a few drivers used the length of just 2.5 meters to simply park vertically, where you should actually be standing in a row. Not least because of this, this two-seater is still considered the original city car. In the meantime, the Smart has moved a long way from this concept, while the shortage of parking spaces in the metropolises is increasing. So established carmakers and start-ups are embracing the idea of a mini car. Except that these days, of course, they have to be electric.
These include Opel with the Rocks-e, Renault with the Twizy and Mico with the Mircolino. Now the Israeli start-up City Transformer is joining them with the vehicle of the same name. The highlight: the two-seater can reduce its track width from 1.40 meters to one meter at the touch of a button. Combined with the length of 2.5 meters, four City Transformers fit on a standard parking space. “It’s ten times easier to find a parking space downtown”; says CEO Dr. Asaf Formoza, before we plunge into the Munich traffic with the micro car. The 48-year-old, who has a doctorate in mechanical engineering, is an interesting personality who, before entering the automotive world, worked for a speed dating company, among other things, and thus earned his studies.
It is still a prototype in which the seats come from a bus. “By the market launch at the end of 2024, we will have special seats with a narrow backrest,” promises Formoza. Then it should be easier for two adults to find space in a row than is currently the case. It’s never comfortable in the back when a person taller than 1.80 meters is sitting in the front, it’s always enough for a spin. Speaking of which: The battery provides energy for a maximum of 180 kilometers and in half an hour the batteries should be filled from zero to 80 percent on a quick charger. It takes 3.5 hours to recharge at the household socket.
To save space when getting in and out, the doors fold up vertically. Unlike the Opel Rock-e or the Renault Twizy, the City Transformer offers comfort details such as air conditioning or a reversing camera including parking sensors. In the hustle and bustle of city traffic, the mini car cuts a fine figure. From 6 km/h you can extend the wheels by pressing a button on the steering wheel, below 30 km/h you can opt for narrow gauge again. The two electric motors on the rear axle deliver a total of 15 kW / 22 hp and accelerate the City Transformer to 50 km/h and a maximum of 90 km/h in less than five seconds. The wide track helps at high speeds because the vehicle is more stable. Ultimately, the City Transformer should also be made palatable to commuters. Below 50 km/h you can get along very well with the folded bikes. Later, it should be possible to limit the top speed to 45 km/h and block the wide lane using geofencing.
The suspension and steering should also be improved before the start of series production. The Israelis are currently negotiating production with contract manufacturers such as Magna and have already teamed up with the engineering service provider Segula. In addition, the “Made in Germany” seal in combination with the Israeli inventive spirit is important to Asaf Formoza. The car is to be homologated in Germany, i.e. registered. Those who meet the strict German standards can handle any road on this earth. Security is also an issue. “We want to achieve three stars in the Euro NCAP test,” explains Formoza.
The start-up has big ambitions. 15,000 City Transformers are to be built per year and the company is to be listed on the New York electronics stock exchange NASDAQ. In order for this venture to be crowned with success, economic success must first come about. The Israelis have already collected a budget of 20 million dollars in various financing rounds. You can already pre-order the City Transformer without obligation by depositing 150 euros. So you secure the premiere price of 12,500 euros, later the City Transformer will cost 16,000 euros.
In view of the competition, this is a proud price, which is driven up by the comfort details and, above all, the changeable track width, for which the start-up has a patent. The question will be how reliable the electromechanical system will be in continuous daily use. For 16,000 euros you can also get a Dacia Sandero including many extras. Many customers for the City Transformer will probably come from the car sharing sector.