Aixam 400 / 500 History

In 1997 Aixam introduced what it called the 'Revolution' generation — a restyled body for the 400 and 500 series that replaced the original 1980s shell. The range comprised the 400 (Kubota Z402 two-cylinder diesel, ~400 cc, 4–6 kW, governed to 45 km/h) and the 500 (Lombardini 505 cc twin-cylinder petrol, approximately 15 kW, in markets where the petrol variant was preferred). Both shared an overall length of approximately 2.58 m and a kerb weight around 350 kg.

A further update called 'Evolution' arrived in 2000, adding revised headlights, new bumpers, and interior upgrades while keeping the same basic platform. The A721 (short wheelbase) and A741 (long wheelbase) sub-designations appeared during this era. Parkers UK listed the 400 & 500 Hatchback as running from 2000 to 2005 in right-hand-drive markets, though production continued in France and continental Europe somewhat longer.

The 400/500 Evolution remained Aixam's bread-and-butter seller through the mid-2000s, outselling rivals such as Microcar and Ligier, and cementing the Kubota diesel as the definitive Aixam powerplant. The series was phased out as the 25th-anniversary redesign of 2008 brought the new City and Crossline to market.