First impressions of the Messerschmitt bubble car might be that it is an inferior vehicle, but read what Wikipedia has to say about it. Designed by Fritz Fend, a designer of fighter aircraft, it broke all records for a small engine vehicle on the Hockenheimring. A modern version would be bigger to accommodate better seats . A door would give better protection than a hinged top. A family would need two of them. This longer wheelbase two person is better than the single seater. The rear seat is removable for luggage. No expensive battery is needed.

The in-line design gives good aerodynamics, visibility for the driver, road holding, and stops the passenger distracting the driver.

My version is to be fuelled on alcohol, but this would not be possible with a conventional two stroke engine as the oil would not mix with the alcohol. A direct injection two stroke is to be used, the same as a diesel electric locomotive. This has good crankcase lubrication, the advantages of a lean burn direct injection engine, and only one cylinder is needed – a light weight design. The toothed belt drives the water pump, the air blower, and the camshaft.

A two stroke engine is superior to a four stroke, as it has twice as many power strokes per revolution. 

My version uses a hybrid drive, which eliminates the need for a gearbox. It improves efficiency when starting from rest. The single cylinder engine warms up quickly with water cooling to give an efficient heater, and a quiet drive. A conventional four cylinder used for an average short journey does not warm up quickly and is very inefficient. 

A two gallon fuel tank would give a range of approximately 200 miles, more than an electric car. An electric car has an inferior heater and relies on an over loaded grid system (often burning coal).

This vehicle is to be the only vehicle allowed for the general public, available in a multitude of colours. This would result in a standard bumper height for impact resistance. It would also stop people racing each other on the roads, reduce average speeds and therefore allow cycling again, and walking, as no pollution is produced. A taxi version would take one person. All the large motor manufacturers would be required to cooperate in designing and producing it.

Interstate roads would be used exclusively for high speed hovercraft (see my last years entry).

It could be made to float on water, and therefore resistant to flooding.

A heavy metal four person vehicle is too fast, too complex and expensive, wastes fuel, and results in many road accidents.