Car companies in California and Brazil are teaming up to bring vehicles that are even smaller and lighter than the Mini-Cooper to the United States. Zap (Santa Rosa) and Obvio (Rio de Janeiro) say they will deliver teeny two and three passenger vehicles by 2007.
The cars will be slightly more fuel efficient (29/40 mpg) than the Mini but not close to hybrids, and are nearly half the weight and 28 percent smaller in length than the popular British cars. While the two-seater is expected to sell for $14,000, the "larger" model ($28,000) will cost more than a small SUV.
The 012 luxury model will have a "carputer" with many of the latest gadgets -- an iPod jack, diagnostics, video screen, web access and DVD player. It's probably not a good sign for this collaboration that Obvio is Portuguese for "Le Car."
