The first impression:
is it now retro or future?
While most manufacturers opt for either a traditional or a futuristic look for their scooters, the Unu is the compromise candidate.
The round headlight is reminiscent of the classically drawn predecessor, the simple design around the outside rather points to the future.
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This is what the manufacturer says:
"Two seats, two batteries and space for two helmets under the bench" - according to Felix Jakobsen, Head of Germany and Austria at Unu, that was what customers wanted for the new scooter.
The two-wheeler was developed on the basis of these specifications.
The fact that this resulted in some compromises, such as the hermaphroditic design mentioned above, was entirely intentional.
"We wanted to maintain the similarity to the predecessor, but still take a step forward," explains Jakobsen.
The new design should also reflect the technical development of the scooter.
Because the software of the new Unu scooter can, as with Tesla cars, be brought up to date at any time via "over the air" update.
The scooter actually offers all kinds of additional functions.
The Unu app navigates the driver to their destination via the scooter's display, and the scooter can also be shared with friends or family members via the app - but only from next spring.
"The smart features will come gradually over the next year and will be automatically installed via over-the-air updates," explains Jakobsen.
We noticed that
something is missing on the Unu, namely the driving noise.
The scooter glides almost silently and without the hum that many other models emit.
However, this has an unexpected disadvantage: you notice how loud the city traffic really is - especially when you drive behind a combustion scooter of the same class.
When driving, the Unu benefits from the fact that it has grown compared to its predecessor.
While the old scooter was only 1.70 meters long and weighed 57 kilograms without batteries, the successor was 1.80 meters and 81.5 kilograms.
This not only gives you driving comfort, but also a lot of storage space.
There is now space for two batteries under the bench seat, and there is also a 33 liter luggage compartment hidden in which, with a little skill, two helmets can fit.
Despite the increased weight, the scooter does well at the traffic lights, at least in the four-kilowatt top version, which, according to Unu, is also the most frequently ordered.
In this variant, at least 3899 euros are due for the scooter.
The scooter is also available as a basic version with two kilowatts of power or as a standard model with three kilowatts, in which case the city runabout costs at least 2799 or 3299 euros.
However, it is not surprising that the strongest version is the most popular.
The acceleration feels a bit doughy for the first few meters, but then the speedometer shoots up quickly.
The weak point of the predecessor, however, was not the start, but the delay.
In a comparison test, the ADAC criticized the weak and poorly controllable brakes compared to the competition.
The developers have apparently taken this criticism to heart, the new model now also has a disc brake at the rear, which is easy to dose and grips properly.
You have to know that:
Compared to the competition, the Unu not only sits between the chairs in terms of design.
In contrast to small, very agile scooters like the previous model, it is more sedate, but it really offers space for two people without passengers having to worry about involuntarily getting off the back while driving.
Despite the growth spurt and the comparatively large storage space, the Unu is still a few centimeters shorter than competitors such as the Vespa Elettrica.
The Berlin start-up is also pursuing a middle ground when it comes to manufacturing the small vehicles.
While many competitors develop and produce in China, there is also a countermovement, for example the competitor Kumpan produces in Germany.
Unu lies between the two poles: development, drawing and programming take place in Germany, while production takes place in China.
We won't forget that:
the ride over a speed threshold in the thirties.
What is associated with a loud bang and a stress test for the intervertebral discs in comparable scooters remained pleasantly boring with the Unu.
Unimpressed, the scooter takes every threshold, without any annoying rumble.
Icon: The mirror
