Placing the driver amidships, with two passengers occupying the rear seats, is a design stance originated by the McLaren F1 supercar. At just 3.2m long and 1.7m wide, Uniti is significantly more compact and is supported by a 23-feet turning circle, which is around the same as a London taxi. Yet, it is packed with interesting technology, including an electro chromatic glass roof that shades automatically in bright sunlight.
Of course, it is an electric vehicle (a choice of 12, or 24kWh battery packs), providing a posted range of up to 186-miles and a recharging potential from 20-80% in 17 minutes, using a 50kW charger. Despite its narrow track, which makes it perfect for tackling city streets, a low centre of gravity helps with its overall stability and handling agility, which are both said to be excellent. Its performance envelope is also respectable, with the Uniti capable of despatching the 0-60mph benchmark in 9.6s, with a top speed of 75mph.
Its clean and minimalist design features flush door handles and LED illumination fore and aft. The profile is enhanced with a rising belt-line and arcing roof accentuated by the choice of just three metallic grey paint and satin finishes that factor-in a classy appearance. There are no door-mirrors to be damaged, as a wide-screen rear-view camera system, which includes blind-spot recognition, provides an unrivalled view of what lies behind. The three-seat layout places the driver at the centre of the cabin, while the twin rear seats can split-fold to increase the boot capacity from a mere 155-litres up to a practical 760-litres of space.
Ahead of the driver is a full-width, unit programmable, digital dashboard. Thanks to Uniti’s development work with Android Automotive OS, the full range of Waze, Google Maps, Spotify and an array of available apps are available for users. It is an expandable system that allows a Uniti user to keep up to date with the latest online developments, which also include mobile-phone and music connectivity.
Despite its compact dimensions, safety is an inherent part of the Uniti One’s Swedish design philosophy. Unlike the roll-cage structure used by smart, a high-strength in-board, upper structure keeps interior deformation to a minimum, in the event of an impact, and the Uniti One comes equipped with a host of passive and active safety equipment as standard, including driver’s airbag, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
In Uniti’s first iteration of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), customers can choose to specify Intel’s MobilEye 6 collision avoidance system, with their Uniti One. Equipped with Forward Collision and Lane Departure Warning as well as a speed limit indicator, this advanced system also warns the driver of potential pedestrian and cyclist collision, providing lifesaving alerts in real time. Early adopters can become members of a ‘Founder’s Club’, which provides many benefits, and all potential owners can specify and accessorise their Unitis online (www.uniti.earth).
