2017 SWINCAR E-SPIDER

This Swincar e-Spider is a fully electric lightweight all-terrain vehicle, with a unique design that gives it phenomenal ‘go anywhere’ capability. It is presented in superb condition, and is believed to be the only such example currently in the UK. The seller is the first and only owner, and the car has covered 173km off road, with a total running time of around 13 hours.

The e-Spider has a peak power output of more than 10kW (13.4bhp) and a substantial 258lb-ft of torque, with totally independent four-wheel drive via four individual wheel motors. There is a 4kWh battery built into the chassis, which typically provides around four hours of driving time. Its maximum speed is 30 km/h (18.6 mph). A sophisticated and meticulously engineered product; the retail price for this e-Spider in the UK was £13,495.

The Swincar’s chassis and suspension structure is manufactured using aluminium casting and aluminium tubes, with a four swing-arm suspension setup using sealed bearings. The shock absorbers are also adjustable. Its radical ‘pendulum’ balance design with independent pivoting crossbeams, which tilts as the vehicle turns, gives the e-Spider almost unparalleled agility over rough and uneven ground. Its approximate four-hour driving time accounts for climbing of around 1,000 metres, and the battery is also able to recharge during descents and deceleration.

Another key innovation of the Swincar is the use of hand-only controls, which makes getting to grips with the e-Spider a very straightforward process, and also means that many people with limited mobility can also enjoy it. This is especially true of this particular example, which is equipped with the optional telescopic link to allow the opening of articulated legs, enabling easier access to the driving seat. The external fast charger connects to a port on the front of the vehicle, and recharges in approximately 2.5 hours.

This e-Spider’s frame and paintwork remain in superb condition, with just a few superficial marks on the front panel. It remains in perfect working order, and the photos in the gallery give some idea of the sorts of terrain that it can tackle with ease. It is equipped with off-road Mitas tyres, which have virtually their full tread remaining.

The supportive bucket seat is in as-new condition, and has harness slots should the next owner wish to fit any safety belts in due course. Ahead of the driver is a three-spoke sport steering wheel, with the hand controls for acceleration and braking - the latter being by 220mm discs on the front wheels. There is a simple digital instrument dial, which displays distance travelled, speed, and battery state of charge, though the latter is not perfectly accurate. The seller states that spare parts and support are readily available from Swincar in France, if required.

This Swincar e-Spider is a fascinating zero-emission machine with a novel chassis and suspension setup that endows it with amazing off-road capability. It boasts impressive battery range, and after just a couple of hours it is ready to go off on adventures again. While having genuinely practical applications for landowners or support services needing to access remote areas, this is of course also an exciting off-road toy, which is certain to delight anyone who gets behind the wheel.