Aixam Coupe S: The Carped For 16-Year-Olds Without A Driving License

It's got four wheels. It has a roof. It looks vaguely like a Mini Coupe if you've forgotten to stick your contact lenses in. It costs just under £10,000. But here's the kicker; a 16-year-old can drive it.

"That's insanely amazing lolworthy for the win!", I hear you youngsters exclaim. Because now all you need is a moped license to drive what is dubbed as a light quadricycle out on Britain's roads. However, with a top speed of 28mph, the Aixam Coupe S is guaranteed to be the slowest motor in your school carpark and with only 2 seats, you'd better hope 'Billy No Mates' is the only lad getting his hands on one.

If you haven't heard of Aixam before, they're a French manufacturer based in Aix-Les-Bains, Savoie. And the company is planning to launch the Aixam Coupe S at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham tomorrow on the 24th November at the Motorcycle Live event. But what's the quad packing under the hood that makes it so teen-friendly?

Beneath the white racing stripes lies a 400cc diesel engine capable of reaching heady speeds of 28mph - did we mention it weighs less than 350kg? - whilst returning a strong 79.4mpg and emitting only 77 g/km of carbon dioxides. That means no tax, no congestion charge and less trips to Shell to fill 'er up.

But it still begs the question: with other quadricycles hitting the road, like the Renault Twizy we tested earlier this month, why would you want to buy the Aixam? Is getting a year's headstart on your mates really worth paying more than a Ford Fiesta and receiving less in return? And with insurance hitting your wallet at £2,200 per year, is it really that economical?

Your views as always in the comments.