Nobe, the Estonia-based startup that gave us the Nobe 100GT three-wheeler in 2018, is back with another retro-styled model. The Nobe 500 is a tiny pickup with a carbon-fiber chassis and a fully electric powertrain that is scheduled to debut in summer 2022. The first images of the Nobe 500 appeared on the company’s official Facebook page in early 2021, but more information about the upcoming model has recently surfaced. From the images, it is clear that the design was inspired by the classic Ford F-series.
The curved bonnet, the chrome elements, the whitewall tires, and the beautifully designed front and rear fenders make Nobe’s pickup look like an adorable miniature truck from the ’50s. It even comes with wooden extensions for the rear bed which must be quite small judging from the proportions of this compact vehicle. The cabin has a bench seat but we guess it’s more suited to two adults. We don’t have pictures of the interior but it will most likely share its design with the Noble 100GT, featuring analog instruments and a large steering wheel.
In terms of powertrain, the pickup will most likely share the 92 hp electric motor of the three-wheeler which accelerates from 0-98 km/h in under 6 seconds. It could also inherit the same 25 kWh battery which on the 100GT is good for a 257 km range. L’Automobile suggests that Nobe’s pickup might also get an adjustable air suspension.
As reported by Jalopnik, the company that’s based in Tallinn, Estonia wants to bring both the teardrop-shaped Nobe 100 three-wheeler and the Nobe 500 pickup to the US. A fire in 2019 destroyed their workshop and a couple of prototypes but today they are back on track, ready to produce their first model with the help of UK-based Far, while also developing a cabriolet variant.
According to the Nobe’s official website, the Nobe 100GT will be priced at US$ 25,000 in the US, so we expect the Nobe 500 pickup to be more expensive given that, unlike the three-wheel 100GT, it will be classified as a street-legal car.
