The Wuling Mini EV Cabrio is weirdly impractical yet utterly charming

Electric convertibles are rare, but if you live in China, you can look at the Wuling Mini EV. Priced at about $14,000, it holds the title for the world's most affordable electric open-top.

Wuling is a Chinese car manufacturer known for its Mini EV, which ranked as the third-highest-selling electric vehicle globally last year. With a total of 443,400 units delivered, it nearly outpaced the Tesla Model 3 in sales. Now, the same Chinese company is back with an open-top version of this popular EV.

Unfortunately, it's only for sale in China, starting at around $14,000 according to current exchange rates. For context, the most budget-friendly convertible in the U.S. is the Mazda MX-5 Miata, which starts just under $30,000.

Design-wise, not much has changed from its predecessor. It maintains its unusual proportions and continues to sport the same 12-inch wheels. The vehicle itself is compact, measuring 3,059 millimeters (120.4 inches) long, 1,521 mm (59.9 inches) wide, 1,614 mm (63.5 inches) tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,010 mm (79.1 inches). A notable difference in this particular model is its two-seater configuration and its oddly designed cargo area, which isn't accessible from outside the vehicle.

The vehicle's idiosyncrasies don't end there. A few more quirks include the need for a physical key to start it and an old-fashioned radio built into the center console. Despite its retro feel, the radio does offer Bluetooth functionality and comes with three USB ports.

Source: Motor1