Vinyl is back. Film cameras are back. Even the cassette Walkman is climbing in value. We’re obsessed with the simpler tech of yesteryear.
Cars should be next.
If the Amble One is any indicator, the automotive world is finally listening.
It’s a stripped-back electric buggy that channels the spirit of old-school beach cars like the Citroen Mehari or Mini Moke. But instead of a gas-guzzling engine, it uses modern electric power. The goal isn’t to be your primary commuter. It’s to help you connect with your surroundings. Not just another pod for scrolling through Instagram.
Why you don’t need 2000kg of steel for short trips
Let’s be honest. A full-size car is overkill for many of us.
If you live on a small island, by the coast, or in a quiet low-speed neighborhood, two tonnes of metal isn’t necessary. Nor is 500 horsepower. You just need to get from A to B. Maybe you’re a hotel owner shuttling guests. Maybe you’re just popping to the local shop on a sunny day.
That’s where the Amble One electric buggy fits in.
No doors. A vestigial roof. No seatbelts (for the driver/passenger dynamic it seems to imply, though local laws may vary). It’s not aiming to replace your daily driver. It’s aiming to replace the guilt you feel driving a massive EV to buy a loaf of bread.
It’s similar in ethos to the Microlino or Renault Twizy, but distinct in execution. It’s light. It’s simple. And it feels good.
Specs: Light, fast enough, and surprisingly rangey
The dimensions are compact.
- Length: 3.2 meters. Just a touch longer than a classic Mini.
- Weight: 450 kg. That’s heavy for its class—think quadricycle territory—but manageable.
- Motor: 15kW / 20bhp.
- Top Speed: 40 mph (64 km/h).
This motor gives it a bit more urge than the tandem-seat Renault Twizy. The battery is small: a 12kWh pack. You’ll find larger packs in most plug-in hybrids. But weight matters.
Pushing 450kg requires far less energy than moving a standard SUV.
Result? A claimed range of over 100 km (62 miles).
That sounds modest for a main car. For a beach day in Bali or a week of island hopping? Sixty-two miles might last a month. Especially on those chunky, ATV-like 28-inch tires.
Interior: Barebones by design
Don’t expect leather seats or ambient lighting.
The cabin is as sparse as the exterior. Think horizontal dashboard bar. Storage bags slung underneath. A three-spoke wheel. A small bank of physical controls.
And a round digital display for the essentials.
Want a touchscreen? Bring an iPad. Mount it yourself.
There are mounting points pre-prepared throughout the vehicle. Big, tactile-looking orange screws for strapping on luggage racks, pockets, or extra bags. You can even buy thin, weatherproof doors to close up the sides if the wind picks up.
It’s customizable in a way modern cars rarely allow.
Price, production, and the reality check
Julian Hoenig, a former Audi and Apple designer, started the company in Portugal. He’s clearly thought about this.
The suggested price is around €20,000 or $25,000.
With exchange rate variances, that’s roughly £17,000–£19,000. But remember: before taxes.
If it lands in the UK? Bank on over £20,000.
Is that expensive? Yes.
It’s more than double the price of a Citroen Ami. But the Ami seats two people in a tandem formation. The Amble One seats two people side-by-side. It’s faster, too. It feels more substantial. There is a fairness to that price hike.
When is the Amble One actually arriving?
Production slots for 2027 are already allocated.
The company is accepting orders for 2028. Deliveries begin in 2028.
So, don’t hold your breath for this Christmas.
This isn’t the vehicle for a bleak winter commute in Birmingham. You’ll be cold. You’ll be exposed. You’ll wonder why you didn’t just take the train.
But if recent weather has given you a more relaxed outlook on life… if you want a laid-back way to handle summer errands…
Then the Amble One electric buggy might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Simple tech. Modern power. Old soul.
Sounds like a summer worth waiting for.
