The car you see here bears little resemblance to the iconicBricklin SV-1 from the 1970s. Both have two seats and unconventional doors, and both have Bricklin branding. Beyond that, the bold-faced Bricklin 3EV you see here is in a class by itself ... for better or worse.
There is one other similarity between this Bricklin and its forerunner. Both are real. Visionary Vehicles is the company making the new car, which first appeared back in 2020 as a rendering. Frankly, we see renderings of proposed cars on a almost weekly basis, many of which never make it past the idea phase. So imagine our surprise when we came upon videos posted to the Visionary Vehicles website showing a 3EV prototype in action.
Details are still thin, but we know it's a three-wheeled EV utilizing body-on-frame construction with the battery pack centrally mounted between the frame rails. Power output is unknown, but the website promises "superb performance" along with a "luxurious driving experience." Diagrams from the company appear to show a single electric motor at the front, with the mid-mount battery giving the car favorable weight distribution. A range of 275-plus miles is mentioned, but specifics regarding charging speeds, vehicle weight, or the powertrain are unknown.
The 3EV is "engineered by race car designers" per the Visionary Vehicles website. Panoz Engineering is name-dropped, with MTV Concepts and Mike Vetter getting a mention for prototype fabrication. Andreas Haase is also listed for the styling, which certainly doesn't look like anything else on the road.
The tall face and dual grilles makes the BMW 4 Series snout look small. The squarish lines at the front give way to flowing fastback shapes at the rear, though the lack of wheel arches takes some getting used to.
This new Bricklin isn't just a rolling mock-up, though. We're shown a full interior with a digital co*ckpit not unlike something we'd expect from Mercedes-Benz. The entirety of the dash and console light up, with a dedicated infotainment screen in the middle for vehicle functions. The website mentions features like a heads-up display, power heated seats, over-the-air updates, and other common items found in modern cars. Cutting-edge equipment like anti-lock brakes and traction control are also mentioned, so we suspect the 3EV could be sparse with regard to driver-assist systems.
It should be sparse on your bank account, too. Visionary Vehicles says the 3EV will have a starting price of $28,980. An upgraded version called the 3EVX will start at $38,980, but there's an obvious catch: There's no mention of when production might begin. For that matter, there's no mention of a development timeline, pre-orders, or exactly where buyers can get one.
But a functioning prototype is a big step towards production. Whether it actually happens remains to be seen. Color us cautiously optimistic.
From Concept To Reality, Maybe:
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FAQs
Bricklin experienced persistent problems with the composite acrylic/fiberglass body panel technology. The acrylic resin first selected would blister at temperatures as low as 150 °F (65.6 °C).
How much is the new Bricklin car? ›
The 3EV has three wheels, scissor doors, and a $28,980 starting price when it goes on sale ... sometime in the future. The car you see here bears little resemblance to the iconic Bricklin SV-1 from the 1970s. Both have two seats and unconventional doors, and both have Bricklin branding.
How much is a Bricklin car worth? ›
What is the lowest sale price of a Bricklin? The lowest recorded sale price was $7,500 for a 1975 Bricklin SV-1 on May 15 2022. What is the average sale price of a Bricklin? The average price of a Bricklin is $27,660.
Does Jay Leno have a bricklin? ›
Leno has never driven this car before.
It's easy to think that a car enthusiast like Jay Leno has driven everything ever built. However, fellow comedian Jeff Dunham owns a vehicle that Leno has never piloted – the Bricklin SV-1.
How many Bricklin cars are left? ›
Production at the plant began in mid 1974 and continued through late 1975 with three model years resulting (1974, 1975 & 1976). There were 2854 cars built before Bricklin went bankrupt. An estimated 1500 still exist today.
How fast is a Bricklin? ›
In Detail
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 2.23:1, 1.77:1, 1.35:1, 1.00:1, :1 |
| final drive | 3.54:1 |
| top speed | ~178.6 kph / 111 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~9.9 seconds |
30 more rowsThe DeLorean could accurately be described as a rear engined Renault V6 powered Lotus Esprit with a stainless steel skin hung on the fiberglass body. The Bricklin could likewise be characterized as a composite bodied American Motors Hornet, with either Ford or AMC V8 power.
Where are Bricklin cars made? ›
The Bricklin SVI models were manufactured in Saint Johns, New Brunswick by Bricklin Canada. The body was made with fiberglass reinforced material. There were no wide seams or gaps, and the exterior colors included Safety Red, Safety Green, Safety White, Safety Orange and Safety Suntan.
How much horsepower does a Bricklin SV 1 have? ›
Powertrain specs
| Engine type | V8 |
|---|
| Power | 223 ps (220 bhp / 164 kw) |
| Torque | 427 Nm (315 lb-ft) |
| Power / weight | 138 ps (136 bhp) / t |
| Torque / weight | 264 Nm (195 lb-ft) / t |
2 more rowsPrice: $142 million
Let's start at the top, with the most expensive car ever sold at auction. The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe Prototype sold for $142 million in 2022. RM Sotheby's sold it on behalf of Mercedes-Benz at a private auction held at the carmaker's museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
With a car collection as illustrious as his comedy career, Jay Leno is one of the most celebrated figures in the automotive and entertainment worlds alike. One of the greatest pieces in his collection is a “replica” Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic.
What is the difference between Bricklin and DeLorean? ›
The DeLorean was supposed to have a high-performance rotary engine, but it was forced to settle for a 130-horsepower V6 sourced from France. The first Bricklin came with a slant six engine — but the final production car ended up with heavily choked down Chrysler, and later a Ford V8.
Why was BMW banned from making cars? ›
BMW's factories were heavily bombed during the war, its automobile factory in the Russian controlled East Germany and its remaining West German facilities were banned from producing motor vehicles or aircraft after the war. Again, the company survived by making pots, pans and bicycles.
What car weighs 900 pounds? ›
The small, two-seater Visio. M is incredibly light at around only 900 pounds, which is half the weight of the Smart ForTwo electric car. One the reasons the Visio. M is so light is because the TUM team used lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum for the passenger compartment.
Was Bricklin a kit car? ›
Malcolm Bricklin made his first million in hardware/plumbing supply franchising in Florida before he was 25. He followed that by starting Subaru of America and imported the Subaru 360. He left Subaru of America to build his own automobile; not a 'one-off', a kit or repli-car, but a production car; his own car company.
