Casalini 550 Hatchback, starting at 17000 £

The Casalini 550 Hatchback impresses with 8 HP and an attractive starting price of 17000 £ . Here are all the details at a glance.

from about £17,000
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Casalini 550

  • Engine Type : Diesel
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 8 HP

Design & Presence

The Casalini 550 wears a purposeful microcar silhouette that reads practical rather than flashy, its 3.00 m length and 1.50 m width making it one of the smallest hatchbacks on the road. The 3-door layout and upright stance give decent headroom and a familiar urban footprint that slips into tight parking spots. At 425 kg curb weight the 550 looks light and agile, but the styling is utilitarian—clean lines, compact overhangs, and modest trim. It signals a buyer who values footprint and economy over sporty pretension.

Interior & Usability

Inside, the Casalini 550 is strictly functional with two seats and a sparse dashboard that prioritises durability over luxury; materials are hard plastics and easy-to-clean surfaces suited to heavy city use. There is no separate boot volume (listed trunk capacity 0 L), so cargo must live in the cabin or on small external racks, which affects weekly shopping and luggage for two. Controls are simple and the CVT automatic keeps driving duties straightforward, but long trips will quickly reveal the limits of the basic seats and minimal sound insulation. For short commutes and errands the layout is sensible and low-fuss.

Space & Everyday Practicality

Space is honest: two occupants, a useful payload of 273 kg and no hidden luggage bay mean this is a runabout rather than a family car. The 3.00 m length and 1.50 m width let the 550 thread through narrow streets and park in bays that would swallow a conventional hatchback, making it ideal for congested city centres. A 20 L fuel tank is small but adequate for daily errands, while the absence of a trunk forces creative stowage for shopping or weekend bags. Practicality is therefore high for single users or couples who travel light, and low for anyone who needs regular cargo capacity.

Driving & Handling

The powertrain is a small 479 cm³ diesel with 8 hp (6 kW) and 28 Nm of torque sent to the front wheels through a CVT, producing gentle and predictable acceleration that matches its class. Top speed is limited to 45 km/h, which makes it unsuitable for motorways but comfortable for urban and low-speed peri-urban routes where traffic is slow. The light 425 kg curb weight helps the 550 feel nimble at city speeds and easy to manoeuvre, though the low power means overtakes must be planned carefully. Ride comfort is acceptable on smooth streets, but rough surfaces transmit more vibration than a conventional city car.

Efficiency, Consumption & Range

Official consumption figures are not widely published for quadricycle-class diesels, but vehicles of this size typically consume in the low single digits of litres per 100 km, so the 20 L tank can realistically deliver several hundred kilometres between fill-ups in mixed urban use. That economy is one of the main selling points: running costs and tax/insurance for a low-powered diesel are often lower than for a full-sized car. Expect the best fuel efficiency at steady low speeds rather than start-stop traffic where warming and idling hurt efficiency. Practical range therefore suits daily commuting and errands without frequent visits to the pump.

Assistance & Infotainment

The 550 keeps technology basic: expect a simple instrument cluster, radio/USB connectivity and no extensive driver-assist package, which matches its low-speed, low-cost brief. Safety kit and ADAS are minimal compared with mainstream compact cars, so drivers should not expect lane-keep or adaptive cruise features and should treat the 550 as a city scooter with roof and doors. Current versions are essentially diesel automatic front-wheel-drive, 8 hp machines aimed at this niche market rather than tech-rich buyers. Simplicity keeps buying and running costs down, but it also limits convenience features.

Who is it for?

The Casalini 550 suits buyers who prioritise compact footprint, low running costs and simple transport for one or two people rather than long-distance comfort or high speed. Its 45 km/h top speed and tiny engine make it attractive for city dwellers, local delivery tasks, and drivers seeking an economical alternative where quadricycle rules apply. With only two seats and zero boot space, it is not aimed at families or touring users but rather commuters, retirees or micro-businesses that need a manoeuvrable, low-cost vehicle. For practical urban mobility and low budgets the 550 is a pragmatic, if spartan, choice.

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Reviews

Costs and Consumption
Price
17000 - 17100 £
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
-
Fuel tank capacity
20 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
2
Doors
3
Curb weight
425 kg
Trunk capacity
0 L
Length
3000 mm
Width
1500 mm
Height
1470 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
273 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Diesel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
CVT
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
8 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
-
Max Speed
45 km/h
Torque
28 Nm
Number of Cylinders
2
Power kW
6 kW
Engine capacity
479 cm3

General
Model Year
2022
CO2 Efficiency Class
-
Brand
Casalini

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What drive types are available for the Casalini 550?

Available configurations include Front-Wheel Drive.

The prices shown are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted for local VAT. Local registration taxes (e.g. NoVA, BPM or CO2 malus) are not included. This information is not legally binding.