When most hear the name 'Messerschmitt', they generally think of the German fighter plane of World War II, but after the war ended, the company was no longer allowed to produce airplanes. As a result, it turned to automobile manufacturing with the KR175. Like the Morgan 3 Wheeler and Reliant Robin, it was a three-wheeled car that was built to be extremely compact. It's also one of the few rear-engined cars that aren't a Porsche 911. And now Messerschmitt is reviving the quirky car with two new versions: a gas-powered KR-202 and an all-electric KR-E5000. But before you judge the ancient styling, this oddity of the automotive world is pretty attractive in many ways.

While it might not be easy on the eye, it's far more advanced than the original. Hydraulic disc brakes bring all three wheels to a stop, while adjustable suspension, a body constructed of fiberglass, and a steel-aluminum frame mean that this thing handles better than the original too. As the above video shows, it does still seem like the car is likely to tip over, but it looks fun nonetheless. You can also see that the car isn't all that quick - top speed is rated at just 75 mph for the electric version, although we doubt many people would be willing to test that claim.

The KR-202 has a 125-cc single-cylinder engine with electronic fuel injection developing a whopping 7.3 horsepower. The KR-E5000, on the other hand, features a 6.7-hp electric motor that is fed by a 1.4-kilowatt battery. Both the gas and the electric versions claim a range of 100 miles, but with the electric model, you need to spec the dual battery option. Despite this, both of the new Messerschmitts weigh less than the original, with the KR-202 weighing just 485 pounds and the E5000 proving even lighter at 430 pounds for the single-battery, 50-mile-range version. An optional roof is available, and the first 20 orders of the gas model cost just $13,150 while the E5000 starts at $15,550.