Cute Luca EVs, abandoning the motors in the wheels in favor of a more traditional layout.

In 2018, Czech Republic-based MW Motors unveiled the Luka EV, a deliciously retro battery-electric coupe with styling reminiscent of classics like the Kalman Gear and Aston Martin DB4.

The car began as a research project for MW, which was looking to develop a lightweight and novel solution to significantly reduce the weight of electric vehicles, and in its initial incarnation it featured four in-wheel electric motors that produced a total of 66 hp.

MW later updated the design, replacing the four in-wheel motors with a single motor mounted on the front axle. This single motor produces 74 hp and provides power to the front wheels only. This doesn't seem like a big deal until you consider that the Luca EV weighs only 1953 pounds.

The battery is floor-mounted and has a capacity of 26.4 kilowatt-hours; on a single charge, MW estimates that the Luka EV can travel 190 miles. This is for moderate driving only. At its peak, the car reaches 62 mph in about 9.8 seconds and continues to accelerate until it reaches a maximum speed of 87 mph.

MW has also updated its chassis, which boasts MacPherson strut suspension in the front and a multi-link setup in the rear. The new chassis design results in a smoother driving experience, according to the company.

The most significant feature is that MW has not increased the price of the Luca EV: it remains at 30,000 euros (about $32,993). However, the car is not yet in production; MW says it will announce the reservation process shortly. Production will take place in the Czech Republic, and MW has not yet said whether the car will be sold in the United States.