In an engineering marvel that’s turning heads around the globe, a Japanese startup has unveiled the world’s narrowest car, and people are struggling to believe how it remains fully functional, roadworthy, and surprisingly comfortable.
Measuring just 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) wide, the futuristic micro-vehicle, named “SlimOne,” is designed for ultra-congested cities where traffic and parking space are at a premium. Despite its size, the vehicle is a street-legal electric car, complete with headlights, indicators, seatbelts, a digital dashboard, and regenerative braking.
“It’s thinner than most bicycles — but it can reach 60 km/h, carry one adult, and even survive a minor collision,” said chief designer Koji Nakamura of Mirai Mobility, the company behind the innovation.
Built with a lightweight carbon fiber frame and powered by a compact electric motor, SlimOne’s narrow body allows it to navigate through the tightest urban spaces, fit between lanes, and park in places even motorcycles struggle with. The car features advanced gyroscopic stabilization technology, which keeps it upright during sharp turns and sudden stops — a system similar to that used in high-end electric scooters and space rovers.
- Width: 50 cm
- Top speed: 60 km/h (37 mph)
- Range: Up to 120 km per charge
- Weight: Less than 100 kg
- Safety: Roll cage frame, airbags, and auto-stabilization
- Charging time: 2 hours (fast charge)
Videos of the vehicle in action have gone viral, with viewers expressing disbelief at how it maintains balance, speed, and control — all while looking barely wider than a street sign.
While SlimOne is not intended for highways, it is being pitched as a revolutionary urban mobility solution, ideal for city commuters, delivery workers, and last-mile transportation.
“This isn’t just a vehicle; it’s a rethinking of what urban transportation can be,” said Nakamura. “Our cities are overcrowded, our roads are full, and SlimOne offers a real alternative — efficient, electric, and exciting.”
The car is expected to enter limited production later this year, with pre-orders already open in Tokyo and Osaka. If successful, it could redefine how people move through crowded cities — one impossibly thin lane at a time.
