This Fiat 500 was modified in Germany to fall under the law as a motorcycle
- A German company modifies a select number of car models to help them fall under the law as a motorcycle
- They’re essentially three-wheelers with four wheels to allow teenagers to drive them unsupervised
- They can be switched back when they’re older
Published on Jul 22, 2024 at 7:28 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Jul 23, 2024 at 7:10 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
This custom Fiat 500 was modified in Germany to fall under the law as a motorcycle.
It’s essentially a three-wheeler with four wheels.
The German company behind this and other weird and unique creations is called ‘Ellenator’.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
What Ellenator does
The German company takes run-of-the-mill cars like the iconic Fiat 500, the Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Fabia, and Seat Ibiza to bring them under the three-wheel class L5e.
To give that a basic translation, it means that 16-year-old drivers in Germany can get behind the wheel of them unsupervised.
Learners and young drivers certainly need supervision as this driving instructor’s footage can attest.
The website states: “The ELLENATOR can be driven with an A1 driving license from the age of 16 or with driving license classes 1b, 3 or B.
“With the old driving license class 4, even if it was acquired before April 1st, 1980!”
The modification costs around $7,000.
The Fiat 500/motorcycle hybrid
Per Ellenator’s website, Wenzel Ellenrieder, managing director ‘designed a conversion option from a passenger car to a three-wheeled vehicle with the best safety features and all the comfort of a series model’.
First, the standard rear axle was replaced by a new one.
The replacement comprises 14-inch (36-cm) wheels located a few inches away.
The new set is located in a modified part of the trunk before the standard wheel arches are filled with sheet metal.
A ceiling is then applied to the engine’s output, limiting it to 20 hp, only.
This renders the suitable for teenagers aged 16 and up to drive the car as a three-wheeler under the L5ee law.
The switchback
And once your teen turns 18? No problem.
Ellenator is able to return their pride and joy back to its original state once they hit the age of 18 when they’re legally allowed to drive unsupervised in Germany.
Other arguably less useful modifications of the Fiat 500e, include turning it into the world’s smallest garbage truck.
This custom ‘Cadillac de Grill’ is also questionable – considering it’s not even drivable.
London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.
