On test: Audi pedal car - our slowest road test ever review

Model: Audi pedal car
Bodystyle: single-seater
Engine: you
Transmission: direct, rear-wheel drive

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What is it?

Engine downsizing? Hybrids? If you're really serious about going green you need to cut out the motor entirely and rely on pedal power. But what if you still want to keep your Audi creature comforts? Here's the solution!

Where does it fit?
The pedal car sits bang in the middle of a three-model range. The basic £65.49 pushalong Mini Quattro is the entry level, this one comes in at £278.99 or you can go the whole hog and splash out £10,000 (yes, £10,000) on the beautiful 1:2 scale Auto Union racing car.

Is it for you?

Officially if you're aged between four and eight and have well-heeled Audi driving parents then, yes, quite possibly. And, as you'll see, even if that's a mental age rather than a physical one the Audi pedal car can still entertain.

What does it do well?
Well, it teaches you the basics of ... steering. And, well, you'll quickly work up a sweat so it must be good for you. Rock hard tyres have limited grip too so you can even learn the basics of how to catch a slide.

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What doesn't it do well?

It's damned hard work on even a meagre uphill gradient. And if you thought S line suspension was hard the pedal car's ride is even firmer. The plastic steering wheel feels a bit cheap compared with the ones you get on grown-up Audis too.

What's it like to live with?
Creature comforts aren't forgotten - there's a cupholder and everything. You'll be needing to keep hydrated too, given how hard you're likely to be working keeping it going. It's simple to drive too. Pedal to go, freewheel down the hills and yank the brake in panic when it starts to speed wobble...

How green is it?
Difficult to measure the exact CO2 emissions but given how hard you'll be breathing and the predicted short range before you have to stop for a break the g/km figure probably won't be too good. Depending where you fill up fuel should be relatively cheap though.

Would we buy it?
When it comes to pedal power two wheels are definitely better than four if you want to cover any distance. But there's something undeniably cool about your own mini Audi and the junior petrolhead in your life is going to love it.