Here is the answer for world’s shortest car, world’s smallest car, world’s smallest car engine, as well as world’s shortest wheelbase car. In 1962, Peel Engineering Company on the Isle of Man introduced and manufactured the Peel P50 and until today, it remains the title as the world’s shortest car. The Peel P50 is also world’s smallest car in automobile history.

The standard wheelbase of Peel P50 is only 1,340 mm (53.8 in) which is less than 1.5 meters. The wheelbase of a standard BMC Mini is 120.1 in. If you think the BMC Mini is small or short, the Peel P50 is shorter than half of the Mini. In 1962, a limited edition Peel P50 has been produced even shorter than the standard version. The wheelbase is only 1,270 mm (50.0 in).

The 1956 Isetta ranked after the Peel P50. This microcar produced after World War II where it is a time that cheap and short distance car was most needed. The wheelbase of the Isetta is only 1,500 mm (59.1 in). The car is fitted with 298 cc single cylinder four-stroke engine that could reach a top speed of 53 mph (85 km/h). Approximately 161,360 Isetta were built from 1956 to 1962.

Modern smallest car

The Peel P50 and Isetta was history. Today, the world’s smallest car and shortest car you are able to see it running on the road is the Smart Fortwo. The SmartFortwo was first introduced in 1998 with the wheelbase 2,500 mm (98.4 in). The 2010 SmartFortwo is even shorter with the wheelbase 1,867 mm (73.5 in).

SmartFortwo is a successful car for all the small cars lovers. It appears in few famous movie such as “The Pink Panther” and “The Da Vinci Code”. In 2008, Smart debuted all-electric concept, named the fortwo ed due to the car’s weight and size. It shows there are many advantages to build the world’s shortest car and world’s smallest car.