An unusual Fiat on the streets of Riga and Jelgava puzzled drivers: it looks like a mini-car but is classified as a tricycle in documents. Experts explain why it has four wheels and how it differs from regular cars.
Photographs of an unusual vehicle have already appeared on social media, prompting inquiries for clarification from road safety expert and automotive engineer Oskars Irbitis. He explained that the depicted vehicle is actually a tricycle with a body — a kind of hybrid between a motorcycle and a car. "The fact that it visually has four wheels does not mean it is not a tricycle. There are a number of motorcycles with four wheels that are positioned very close to each other — similar to the dual wheels on trucks," Irbitis explains.
Such a design has been used in models like Lazareth LM410, Yamaha Tesseract 4, and even the extreme Dodge Tomahawk. The specific example spotted in Jelgava is a tricycle version of the Fiat 500. A similar idea was once used by BMW — in the legendary BMW Isetta model. Such vehicles are still produced today. The largest manufacturer using a similar scheme is Can-Am, which offers stable and comfortable tricycles, especially suitable for long trips. According to the expert, the driving experience is close to that of a motorcycle but with a higher level of comfort. The driving technique resembles that of a snowmobile, which is not coincidental — Can-Am tricycles are based on the company's experience in snowmobile manufacturing.
From a legal standpoint, everything is straightforward: this Fiat tricycle is registered with the CSDD, which confirms the state number. With a manufacturer, EU certification, and the necessary documents, the registration procedure is no different from the standard one.
The expert emphasizes that not everything on the road needs to be maximally practical. Such transport maneuvers well in an urban environment, although it has its downsides — the effect of four tracks, difficulties in winter, and less comfort when crossing tram tracks. However, attention is guaranteed. In terms of safety, there are no special restrictions — the vehicle meets standards and has passed all necessary tests. Irbitis notes that the scheme with two front wheels and one rear wheel provides high stability and is considered one of the best in terms of the physics of motion.
