Have they finally made a cool electric bike? Sports car manufacturer turns to two wheels
British sports car maker Caterham has unveiled its first collection of motorbikes. The iconic firm, which is a favourite of Simon Cowell, launched a rugged motorbike it is calling an SUV on two wheels, alongside a pair of electric bicycles. The firm's aggressive-looking motorbike is named the Brutus 750, and will be going on sale early next year.
The Brutus 750 motorbike has chunky tyres and can be operated as a street bike, off-roader and even a snowmobile with slight modification, according to British sports car firm, Caterham BRUTUS SPECIFICATIONSEngine: 750cc, single cylinder The motorbike has chunky tyres and can be operated as a street bike, off-roader and even a snowmobile with slight modification. The company said: 'The Brutus delivers the ultimate in flexibility and riding simplicity thanks to a 750cc single-cylinder engine that delivers its power through an automatic gearbox.' It claims to be the first motorbike with automatic transmissions as well as the 'first ever two-wheel SUV'. Caterham also unveiled two electric bicycles, which can be ridden on the road without a driving license, but so far there is no news about how fast each of the models might be able to go.
The design of the Classic E-Bike harks back to the golden age of British motorcycling, which according to the company stretched from the 1920s to the 1960s CLASSIC E-BIKE SPECIFICATIONSFRAME: Aluminium A spokesman for the company told MailOnline: 'The bikes are all still in prototype form and, as such, no performance testing has yet been conducted.' The Classic E-Bike has a retro look and a range of up to 45 miles, while the Carbon E-Bike is inspired by Caterham’s F1 technology. Both have dashboards with an LED screen displaying battery status, a speedo, trip meter and range. The design of the Classic E-Bike harks back to the golden age of British motorcycling, which according to the company stretched from the 1920s to the 1960s. It said: 'They had simple, elegant lines, curves filled with classic British racing colours detailed with pinstriping. The times were simpler and more carefree.' It is the first part of this period that inspired the bike, which has a range of 40 to 80 km. The model has an aluminium frame, leather handle grips and traditional springer front fork but also features modern technology, such as Shimano 3-speed hub gears for 'brisk acceleration'.
The Classic E-Bike has an aluminium frame, leather handle grips and traditional springer front fork but also features modern technology, such as Shimano 3-speed hub gears for 'brisk acceleration' CARBON E-BIKE SPECIFICATIONSFRAME: Carbon/aluminium Designer Alessandro Tartarini calls the Classic E-Bike a 'fusion vehicle', in which old and new are brought together in the 'future of tradition'. 'This is a design in which classic styling and traditional materials meet modern design and materials,' the company said. The Carbon E-Bike is described as a premium model and comes in a limited edition featuring Formula One materials. It packs a 36-Volt, 250 Watt brushless motor, feeding its power through an eight-speed Shimano Nexus gear hub. Caterham has professed the chassis 'a work of art' as it features a modular carbon-aluminium frame, in which three different frame sizes and flexible ergonomics technology means that the Carbon E-Bike can be adapted to fit the size and shape of a rider.
The Carbon E-Bike is described as a premium model and comes in a limited edition featuring Formula One imput and materials
Caterham has professed the chassis of this bike 'a work of art' as it features a modular carbon-aluminium frame, in which three different frame sizes and flexible ergonomics technology means that the Carbon E-Bike can be adapted to fit the size and shape of each rider All three bikes, which were unveiled at this week’s Milan Bike Show in prototype form, are expected to cost a minimum of £8,500. It is the latest expansion involving Caterham Group after it was bought in 2011 by Tony Fernandes, the Air Asia boss and owner of Queens Park Rangers. Mr Fernandes said: 'Our vision for Caterham Group has taken another step forward with the launch of Caterham Bikes. 'Expanding our interests into the two-wheeled market is another natural progression for us and is a good opportunity to showcase the breadth of knowledge, experience and creativity we have at our disposal.' The Malaysian millionaire has plucked Al-Ishsal Ishak from Air Asia to head up the operation, which will hopefully see the bikes manufactured in kit form in Leafield, Oxfordshire, before being assembled by distributors in their relevant country. The bike arm joins the Caterham F1 Team, Caterham Racing (GP2), Caterham Technology & Innovation, Caterham Composites and the Caterham Moto Racing Team.
The British firm is best known for its classic racing cars, such as this Caterham Superlight, which is a two seater sports car (pictured)
Would YOU ride the terrifying four wheel drive skateboard that can reach speeds of 30 miles per hour?
A team of Australian inventors claim to come up with the under thrill for andernaline junkies. The Baja board is a four wheel drive motorised skateboard capable of reaching 50km/h. It can be ridden anywhere, and its inventors say it is similar to a snowboard or mountain bike to use.
The Baja board is a four wheel drive motorised skateboard capable of reaching 50km/h. SKATEBOARD STATS
The team plan to launch a Kickstarter campaign in the coming weeks to raise funds for the project, and say it could go on sale this year. 'Until the hover board gets here, the BajaBoard will be the most fun and excitement you can handle standing over 4 wheels,' they say. 'It’s also the only electric board designed to handle the jumps and drops otherwise reserved for the more extreme snowboarders and mountainbike riders. 'The BajaBoard opens up new possibilities in the action and board sports scene for both professionals and weekend riders – all the while being CO2 emission free.' The electric motor will come with easily swappable battery packs. A four-wheel-drive electric skateboard The firm admits the board could go even faster - but it has limited the speed. 'It handles uphills effortlessly and provides a self-restricted top speed of 50km/h. 'With regenerative braking implemented and easily exchangeable battery packs planned, the BajaBoard will offer hours of excitement. '
The double wishbone suspension system with shock absorbers
the board is designed to be ridden off road, and can handle drops and jumps - if the rider is brave enough, BajaBoard is an Australian start-up founded by James Murphy and George Li. Initially conceived in a garage, the BajaBoard has been in development for over two and a half years. The BajaBoard team currently consists of four young professionals that work together with the goal of making BajaBoard an exciting new active sport and communication icon. | Never get stuck in a traffic jam again! Flying car switches between land and sky - and can reach a top speed of 124mph
An incredible flying car has been developed to let drivers skip traffic jams and take to the skies. The vehicle can be driven on normal roads as well as being flown as a two-seater airplane, as it is able take off and land at any airport, 'opening the door to real door-to-door travel,' according to a Slovakian company. Named the AeroMobil 2.5, the hybrid invention was unveiled at AeroTech, an airshow exhibition held in Montreal.
Up, Up and away: The AeroMobil 2.5 has a top speed of 124mph when it is airborne and can accommodate two passengers. The vehicle has a maximum speed of 99mph when driven as a car, but in airplane mode can soar through the skies at 124mph. The prototype is part of an ongoing project by the AeroMobil Team led by co-founders Stefan Klein and Jurak Vaculik, who are based in Bratislava, in Slokavia. Flying car! With top speed of 124mph
Built from light-weight steel framework and carbon coating, when converted into a plane, the vehicle measures 8.2m wide and 6m long to accommodate two people. When the wings are stowed (pictured) it measures 1.6m wide
Roadworthy: The vehicle can be driven on normal roads as well as being flown as a two-seater airplane, as it is able take off and land at any airport, 'opening the door to real door-to-door travel' according to the Slovakian company. Stefan Klein, co-founder of the company, is pictured sitting in the vehicle. Tatiana Veber, AeroMobil spokesman said: 'We have been developing the concept of a flying car since 1990. 'Our first model looked quite bizarre and it would have problems in the regular use. 'That was a signal to improve the concept of the flying car in a way to become an integral part of the regular road traffic. 'We got a positive feedback from several experts in avionics, which appreciated design and the technical solution of the process of transformation.
Here, it is possible to see how much the car's wings look like those of a conventional small airplane. They fold up to allow the vehicle to be driven like a normal car on the road
The flying car is powered by a large propeller at its rear. The company has been working on the concept to try and develop a vehicle that could become an 'integral part' of the regular ways that people travel
The AeroMobil comes in to land. It is designed to be used at any airport and its creators believe the concept will allow the next generation of door-to-door travel AEROMOBIL 2.5 SPECIFICATIONSTop speed: 124mph as a plane and 99mp as a car Take-off speed: 90mph Engine: Rotax 912 Wings: collapsible Construction: steel framework and carbon coating Dimensions: The car measures 6m long, 1.6m wide as a car and 8.2m wide as a plane Weight: 450kg Capacity: 2kg 'The car is constructed to be fuelled at regular gas stations using the fuel for Rotax 912 ULS engine.' The company claims the vehicle can be parked in a standard parking space and can be driven on normal roads. When used as a car, the vehicle has a range of 310 miles and measures just over one-and-a-half metres wide. Built from light-weight steel framework and carbon coating, when converted into a plane, the vehicle measures just over eight metres wide and six metres long to accommodate two people. The increase in width is due to the unfurling of its collapsible wings. The vehicle, which weighs 450kg, has a take-off speed of 90mph and a range of 430 miles as an airplane.
AeroMobil has been developing the concept of a flying car since 1990. This image is a pre-prototype illustration
Here, experts look at the rear of the hybrid vehicle, which measures six metres in length and has a propeller to power it in flight
The vehicle, which weighs 450kg, has a take-off speed of 90mph and a range of 430 miles as an airplane
The company claims the vehicle can be parked in a standard parking space and is accustomed to road traffic. Here, the wings of the car are unfurled as the vehicle prepares for take off
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