"LE TUBE": A FUN AND PLAYFUL ELECTRIC CAR FOR TRACK USE ONLY
The KG Auto tube car, known simply as "Le Tube," is a single-seater electric track car built in the French Alps around an aluminum tube that doubles as the chassis and body. It weighs just 258 kilograms, looks like a cross between a 1930s hot rod and a 1950s Formula 1 racer, and is designed for one thing: pure driving fun on a closed circuit.
Who builds the Le Tube?
The Le Tube comes from KG Auto, a small French company based in the Alps. KG stands for kilogram, and the brand's philosophy is summed up in three words: light is right. Where most modern electric cars chase range and weight, KG Auto went the opposite way, stripping the concept down to a featherweight single-seater that turns a track day into a go-kart-grade thrill. According to Hagerty UK, the Tube makes even a featherweight Caterham look heavy.
What makes this electric kit car so light?
The headline figure is 258 kilograms. The body is essentially a single aluminum tube that serves as the structure, so there is almost nothing to add weight. With that little mass to move, even modest power feels lively, which is exactly why this fun electric car behaves more like a toy than a conventional vehicle.
How much power and range does it have?
Le Tube uses an electric motor for each rear wheel, producing a combined 43 horsepower. That number sounds small, but against 258 kilograms it delivers genuine pace, with a reported 0 to 60 km/h in around 2.8 seconds according to French outlet Automobile Propre. Two battery options are offered: one good for up to 45 minutes of driving, the other for up to 2 hours. Range is never quoted in kilometers, because the car is not approved for the road and is meant to be enjoyed in sessions on a circuit.
Is the Le Tube road legal?
No. The Le Tube is a track-only machine, which is exactly why the maker measures usage in minutes of fun rather than kilometers of commuting. It is a deliberate toy, built to be enjoyed exclusively on a closed track rather than driven to work.
How much does the Le Tube cost?
Pricing ranges from 20,000 euros to 30,740 euros, excluding taxes. For a hand-built, ultralight electric single-seater, that places it in the same playful territory as a high-end track toy, and the lightweight concept is what justifies the figure.
Lightweight and electric performance cars at TheArsenale
If the featherweight, electric-track-toy idea appeals to you, TheArsenale curates similar machines in its cars collection. Standouts include the Apex AP-1 electric sports car, the Nitid Trinity electric hypercar, the compact Duo by TheArsenale electric microcar, and the RAESR Tachyon Speed electric hypercar.
Explore the full cars collection at TheArsenale to find a lightweight, electric driving machine of your own.
Photo: KGAUTO
