Reliant Robin

The Reliant Robin is a three-wheeled microcar (formerly compact car ), which was built by the Reliant Motor Company in Tamworth ( England) from 1973 to 1981 as the successor of the model shelf. After an " interlude " was published in 1989 by the successor Rialto again Robin Mk II, which was produced until the cessation of passenger car production at Reliant in 2001.

Models

Robin (1973-1981)

Reliant Robin ( 1974)

Beginning of the 1970s thought Reliant on a successor to the successful shelf. Since you had good experiences with Ogle Design made ​​in the construction of the Scimitar, was commissioned them with the redesign of the smallest Reliant model. Instead of the previous two-door sedan, it was a modern, three-door station wagon with tailgate. Station wagon and van models corresponded to the predecessor. Also new was the four-cylinder in-line engine, a drilled version of the set on the shelf 3/30 ohv unit with 748 cc displacement and an output of 32 bhp ( 23.5 kW) at 5,500 min -1. The single front wheel is steered, while the front -mounted engine driving the rear wheels.

Because of Robin, like its predecessor, had only three wheels and officially weighed under 450 kg, he was allowed to be driven in the UK with a motorcycle license and also as a motorcycle was taxed, which meant a considerable saving compared to the tax rates of a normal car.

1975 got the Robin a bigger engine with 850 cc displacement and an output of 40 bhp (29 kW), which is also the voices of critics who saw a continuing impediment to traffic in it, let be quieter.

The car was from 1974 to 1978 made ​​under license to the Greek automobile manufacturers MEBEA.

1981, the first Robin was replaced after about 32,600 copies through its visually modernized successor Rialto.

Robin Mark II (1989-2001)

Reliant Robin Mk II SLX (1994 )

In 1989, Reliant a new, completely revised with new Robin fiberglass bodywork and a further 40 bhp (29 kW) engine power before. He wore the headlights of the contemporary Ford Fiesta and an aerodynamic front, which looked similar to the Ford.

Well-known customers were the British Princess Anne, who already had a Scimitar of Reliant, and the U.S. Embassy in London, which in 1990 bought three of these vehicles.

Under the new Managing Director Jonathan Heynes should be built in 1996 small pickups of Robin with the name Reliant 850 pickup. Prototypes were manufactured and brochures were printed, but it never came to a series production.

The car received a facelift in 1999 again with completely new body and the headlights of the Opel Corsa. This car was designed by Andy Plumb, was only available as a hatchback and was built until 2001 when Reliant ceased its entire passenger car production. The last sixty-five Robin, made ​​in 1999, were sold as a special edition Robin 65 with leather trim, interior trim made of walnut imitation and numbering about 10,000 pounds.

From Robin Mk II created 7,218 pieces. After his production setting at Reliant Robin was further manufactured under license at B & N Plastics April to October 2002.

In the race

The Robin is also used in circuit racing. During this race usually tip over some cars, but can be erected by their drivers unaided by shifting your weight and push off from the open window again

As a TV star

In the episode of 18 February 2007 of the television motoring magazine Top Gear Richard Hammond and James May attempted to turn a Reliant Robin into a normal space shuttle. Steve Holland, a professional model aircraft pilot, helped Hammond to work out how he could land a Reliant Robin secure. The "airplane" was successfully launched, flew for a few seconds in the air and managed to pay the solid rocket time. This was the largest rocket ever launched in Europe by a private organization. She had six 40,960 -NS O hybrid rocket motors, rocket to the 8. Given thrust. But the car did not separate from the large external fuel tank and struck the earth.

In the episode from 1 July 2010 Clarkson takes a 14- mile journey in Yorkshire. An attempt to overcome the tendency to overturn, finally fails.

In the episode of 18 June 2007 of the television motoring magazine Fifth Gear Tom Ford and Johnny Smith came with modified Reliant Robin against each other in a speed race and a stock car race.

In the UK, the Robin is often called because of its special shape and fiberglass body as "plastic pig".

A Reliant Robin shows up at Radar Love by Golden Earring video.

Since March 2013, the Reliant Robin " Robin " is a part of the show "Mission: Auto " on Sport 1 The moderators and Cyndie Allemann Alexander Wesselsky bring the chariot to meet a love-hate

Often also dive Reliant Robin in the TV show Scrapheap Challenge on, often stripped down to the chassis. A team built the car to a wheelie racer.