Fiat Topolino: The long-awaited companion I have yet to meet
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[1] The glass roof opening is wide, giving you a sense of freedom similar to that of an open-air car. [2] The luggage frame is perfect for short weekend trips. [3] It looks stylish even with luggage loaded, as you’d expect from an Italian car!
The Fiat Topolino is not available in Japan, so I haven’t had a chance to drive it yet. However, just by looking at photos and reports from Europe, I’ve been captivated by its unique character and cuteness. The body is ultra-compact, measuring 2530mm in length, 1390mm in width, and 1520mm in height, with a luggage capacity of 63L. Looking at the numbers alone, you might think it’s too small, but it’s a package that’s sufficient for everyday shopping or short weekend trips.
Round headlights, pastel-colored body, front-opening doors and a bright glass roof. Each and every component is designed not for speed, but as a tool for enjoying the car lifestyle. A 6kW motor is combined with a 5.5kWh battery, giving it a range of 75km and a top speed of 45km/h. For everyday use, it is simply a car that “just needs to be good enough.” At the same time, the character and casualness that stand out on the street are unique to the Topolino.
If this were to come to Japan, you’d want to take it not only for commuting and shopping, but also to your favorite cafe or the beach on the weekend. Just imagining it slowly cruising through an area like Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, where pedestrians, cyclists, and cars all mingle, would make you feel a little happy. It’s the kind of “dream companion” you’d want.
AIM EVM: An “island-sized EV” already on the road with license plates
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[4] The Aim EVM was developed with the concept of “mobility that brings a smile to everyone’s faces.” Its size and ease of use make it perfect for living and sightseeing in “island areas.” [5] The exterior design is based on the Okinawan guardian deity, the “shisa.” [6] The removable roof allows for open-air riding.
The EVM, made by Aim, an engineering company headquartered in Nagoya, has already been licensed in some areas. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to test drive it. The body size is 2490mm in length, 1295mm in width, and 1560mm in height, almost the same size as the Topolino. It is slightly smaller than a kei car.
Even with such a compact body, two adults can sit comfortably and there is enough luggage space to fit three carry-on-size suitcases. The car has a range of approximately 120km on a full charge. It’s perfectly balanced for everyday use, from everyday shopping trips to weekend outings for two with luggage.
The bright white interior and front and rear are based on the Okinawan guardian deity, the “shisa.” Like the Topolino, the first thing that catches your eye is the fun of the design. When you actually get behind the wheel, the minimum turning radius of 3.5m makes it easy to navigate narrow alleys without feeling stressed. The torque that allows for smooth acceleration up to a speed of 40km/h (top speed is 60km/h) and the slightly higher viewpoint make it just right for driving on the island’s residential roads.
I felt that the AIM EVM was a vehicle that successfully balanced both “being sufficient as a tool for daily life” and “having a design that makes you smile when you ride it.”
Other micro EVs
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[7] The Daihatsu Midget X, a three-seater EV, was exhibited at JMS. [8] The Honda Micro EV is a car that looks set to add fun to your everyday life.
Several small EV concept cars were exhibited at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 (JMS) held this fall. The Daihatsu Midget X was a new proposal for an EV that was “more than a bicycle, but less than a kei car.” The Honda Micro EV, with its blocky body and simple cabin, portrayed the worldview of an urban “short-ride EV.” Looking overseas, the Topolino’s sister car, the Citroën Ami, has already appeared on city streets, and ultra-compact EVs are becoming more and more a part of city infrastructure.
Towards a car that makes life more fun than just driving
In an era where the ways of enjoying cars are becoming more diverse, compact EVs are likely to expand possibilities (photo shows the outdoor model of the Citroën Ami).
Neither the Topolino nor the AIM EVM are cars that compete on absolute power or driving range. Still, their power performance and cabin and luggage space are just right for everyday use. In addition, their maneuverability and unique design make their owners’ daily lives just a little more enjoyable. That’s the role they play.
If a large-displacement sports car is a machine that makes driving a dream a reality, then a compact EV may be the companion that makes living a dream a reality. From now on, attention will be focused on micro EVs.
