Dreadnort POD is a capable multi-utility travel trailer, portable office with a gullwing door

With the kind of creativity and engineering going into contemporary tiny homes in the US, one cannot have enough. A look around the inside and you marvel at how much comfort and convenience can be packed into such a small space. From the plush bedding to the fully-equipped kitchenette, within an equipped towable, you know, no matter where your adventures take you, you’ll always be safe and comfortable.

While the US already has existing infra and interesting caravans, New Zealand is only catching up with the likes of Dreadnort Boats creating multi-use portable structures that can be utilized as a mobile office, tiny home, or a camping trailer.

Designer: Dreadnort Boats

Case in point, the POD (Point of Difference in full), is a multi-utility structure that will put some of the more interesting options in the West to shame. Designed to be a tsunami shelter that doubles as a boat or a trailer, the POD, in its current stage, is not equipped for emergencies, owing to its door design and big panoramic windows.

Despite not being tsunami-proof as of yet the POD is a capable portable office with a gullwing door. Made from marine grade aluminum, the main body of the caravan rests almost 4in from the ground and it measures 5.1m x 2.5m x 2.5m, which renders it towable inside a 20-foot shipping container or behind a vehicle as a trailer.

The interesting aspect of the peculiar looking towable from Dreadnort Boats is V-shaped seating with a drop-down table that transforms into a sleeping area by night. Considering the multiple usages of the POD, it is customizable with 150-watt solar panels. The builders are working on several other layouts for the POD to make it useful as a food cart, kiosk, houseboat or anything the client wishes to use a mobile living unit for. A fully finished POD starts at about $60,000 (customization would cost extra).

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These dome-shaped solar trees use AI to charge electric vehicles and combat the issue of EV charging

Slowly and surely the world has been moving towards clean energy alternatives. People have been abandoning dirty energy, especially petrol and diesel-ridden vehicles, for smarter and cleaner EVs, and other solar energy products. However, an issue that EVs often pose, is the issue of charging them. It can be challenging to find charging stations frequently and in convenient locations, but this is where these intriguing ‘Solar trees’ come into the picture. London-based SolarBotanic Trees created these sleek innovative trees designed to power EV Charging stations!

Designer: SolarBotanic Trees

The London-based company launched the prototype for the trees in September 2022, and its first generation of solar trees will finally be available in the coming few months! SolarBotanic developed these trees in collaboration with a London-based business support program Co-Innovate. The two teamed up and used academic and innovation resources from the surrounding universities and facilities. The unique-looking trees have been equipped with solar panels. These solar panels or nano photovoltaic ‘leaves’ form the dome or the canopy of the trees. They absorb energy from sunlight and transform it into electrical energy.

That collected electrical energy is then stored in the trees’ AI-driven energy storage and management system, which releases this power and manages it. There are other simple solar trees on the market, for example, Smartflower – a rather large daisy-shaped solar energy solution. But there are certain features that set the SolarBotanic Trees apart from similar designs on the market. First and foremost, the Smartflower has a four-kilowatt system, while the SolarBotanic Trees have been equipped with a five-kilowatt capacity, a larger capacity than other trees available today. Also, the SolarBotanic Trees will have a lower and more economical price point, which will make the product more accessible to the masses.

The SolarBotanic Trees will provide solar energy solutions for homes, businesses, and commercial parking spaces. The commercial version or the SolarBotanic Tree “v01” will be available in mid-2023 and version “v02” with an energy management system (EMS), battery storage, and rapid EV-charging system will be available later in the year. A third version the “v03” will be available in 2025 – it will use an advanced combination of wind and solar power generation modules.

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Fully-electric M One electric moped folds into its frame, easily fits in the boot of your car

The pint-sized Honda Motocompo scooter manufactured in 1981 could easily fit inside the boot of a car, and understandably over the years, there’ve been many iterations inspired by this design. Another resounding nod to the 49cc folding two-wheeler in the electrified era is the M One e-scooter.

Designed by Shanghai-based startup, FELO, the electric scooter is an electric Motocompo that urban riders have been longing for so long, and finally bestowed with one. The two-wheeler made its first appearance at the ongoing 2023 Tokyo Motorcycle Show which apparently is also the 50th anniversary of the mega event.

Designer: FELO

The compact moped is a tad lighter than the Motocompo weighing just 82 pounds and similar in dimensions measuring 45.6 inches x 22 inches x 33.8 inches. Of course, it gets a major overhaul (for comparison’s sake) in the form of a 400-watt 1.34-hp hub motor powered by the 48V, 20-Ah Lithium-ion battery pack. Just so that you know, the battery pack has a 220VAC 50Hz outlet that can power up your gadgets or household appliances courtesy of the V2L (vehicle to load) capability.

According to FELO, the M One will be able to churn out a range of 62 miles on one full charge if the rider maintains an average speed of 15 mph. Although there is no mention of the top speed yet, the e-bike could max out at around 20-30 mph on the speedometer. That’s very similar to what Motocompo could eke out, and no one’s complaining since top speeds aren’t a major talking point with such a compact set of wheels by any stretch of the imagination.

The whole point of a small folding moped is to have a commuter that can make the quick trip to the local market without getting stuck in traffic or maybe driving on congested roads that aren’t big enough for a four-wheeler or even a standard bike. That novelty of folding down the handlebars, footpegs, collapsible fork and seat into the robust magnesium-aluminum body frame, allows the M One to easily be hauled in a family car or the bed of a MUV.

M One’s compact form factor gives it a huge advantage in urban setups and the fact that it will hit the roads in Q4 2023 – initially in China and maybe Japan as well – makes it an even more exciting prospect. The fully electric two-wheeler will be priced at around $2,900 which is not a bad deal for times when city commuting demands compact vehicles like this one.

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This futuristic travel trailer pops-up into a luxurious home in the great outdoors

If you’re looking for an expandable home on wheels to tow behind your EV, you have a few existing options already. However, if you’re not instantly in the market for a towable, and can wait for a couple of years, a ground-breaking travel trailer is in the works. It is solar-powered, furnished with modular furniture, and customizable to user requirements, but that’s not it!

Camping with family, friends or even when you’re in the outdoors all solo, a travel trailer ensures convenience and comfort. A towable with the ideal balance of luxury and convenience maintains unforgettable outdoor adventure, and this is what this Grounded RV’s towable with a unique aerodynamic design guarantees.

Designer: Grounded

Made from advanced composite materials, the expandable towable is designed durable and lightweight. This streamlined layout reduces drag to make sure you get enhanced fuel efficiency, while the RV’s unique hydraulic system ensures smooth transition between towing and living model.

The very compact trailer is easy to store and maneuver. But once you are ready to camp, the trailer’s roof pops-up (in its entirety) to create 6.5 feet of headroom. Furnished with large glass windows for a panoramic view the trailer has a spacious interior equipped with a fully-functional kitchen, modular furniture, customizable queen bed, pull-out table, dry toilet, and spacious sitting area, thereby offering all the comforts of the home in the great outdoors.

The interior is insulated while the rooftop 1,500W solar panels power the remotely controlled electronics and appliances. Based on a modular layout, the travel trailer can be customized to suit each occupant’s requirement, fitting piece by piece according to need.

The Grounded RV’s futuristic towable is expected to ship in 2025 with a weather-resistant exterior and modern aesthetics to leave most RV makers thinking. With all the fancy antics, the interesting concept puts durability, comfort, and sustainability at the forefront, which has left the outdoorsy in me excited.

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Porsche 924 Safari Special by Vagabund Moto is geared for off-roading escapades

Vagabund Moto has been sculpting some impressive builds lately in their creative shop. Most of them are bikes, but one of their major projects recently has been the custom safari kit for the Porsche 924 S/944. Made in collaboration with NINE ELEVEN OUTLAW and DakarGarage, the custom kit promises to offer a unique off-roading experience.

According to the Austria-based custom automotive studio, the first batch of the safari kit sold like hot pancakes, and they again got back to Tom Boder’s outfit to build a one-off Porsche 924 Safari Special to have the bragging rights.

Designer: Moto Vagabund, NINE ELEVEN OUTLAW and DakarGarage

The initial inspiration for this build came from the rising popularity of the East African Safari rally showcasing the Porsche 911 in the classic 1978 Martini livery. Coming from the minds of three ace automotive outfits in their own respective crafts, the 924 Safari Special gets a slew of superficial and mechanical hardware upgrades to make the powerful V8-powered donor a capable dirt road machine.

Cosmetic changes come in the form of a lift kit, complete black steel rims (available in optional gold hue) in off-roading tires and a perforated skid plate. The custom shop fits the classic Porsche with a custom roof rack accommodating a spare tire and crushproof Pelican gear case to get that decisive rally car character. There are HELLA Rallye 1000 lights replacing the stock pair, given this capable Porsche will take on the roughest of roads, the most difficult terrain, and the harshest weather conditions.

The interior modifications on the 924 Safari Special include a three-arm Sparco steering wheel, Terratrip rally computer and a short-throw gear shifter. The monochrome livery on the custom off-roader is a nod to the Vagabund’s signature styling coming in the form of a checkered pattern for the seats. The theme continues to the pearl white exterior color contrasted by the red and gray accents, Vagabund logos and white script on the sides.

Given the exclusivity of Vagabund Moto x NINE ELEVEN OUTLAW x DakarGarage Porsche 924 Safari Special, it is priced at €35,000 (approximately $37,688). Perhaps, the ideal four-wheeler for a Porsche classic car fan who likes to get their wheels dirty.

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This shape-shifting electric bike for short riders gets translucent body frame to expose the innards

To what extent can a bike design be evolved when already thousands of iterations dot the roads, and the hyper-realistic concept design world? It can be more aerodynamic optimized for wind tunnel tests, have a better visual balance, or maybe have sharper aesthetics for dominant road presence. Perhaps a shape-shifting aesthetic is something that has not been seen much in design evolution.

This is where the ATHENAS superbike draws inspiration from but for a niche set of users. Passionate bikers who at times cannot drive the best machines out there because of their short height. As crazy as that might sound, this electric motorcycle concept imagines such a set of wheels.

Designer: Zhengxuan Xie

ATHENA electric bike proposed for the year highlights the power of one’s inside values rather than the outside personality – thereby eliminating the jinx of superbike designs that are targeted at average height users. The mood board by Zhengxuan revolves around the “Power Inside” and transparency in thoughts. Hence, the translucent design of the electric bike, that in a way reminds me of the newly launched Nothing Ear (2).

For a neutral user, the translucent material signifies the strength of the outer contour when viewed from a distance, and when the bike approaches proximity the visible mechanical parts reflect the power of inside intelligence. The highlight feature of the ATHENA is its shape-shifting ability to raise or lower the whole saddle section. Now only this, the whole module can be swapped with another one depending on the driving position and personal preference.

A cool inclusion comes in the form of a graphic animation on the tank section for Start/Stop action or the representation of low-speed or high-speed in blue or red hues. For nerds, the bike’s specifications are impressive since it’s loaded with a 17.7kWh battery of 51mAh capacity. The 348-volt electric motor feeds the rear wheels for 850nm of peak torque.

It goes without saying the bike’s visual appeal is luring and makes me wonder if a future Tesla superbike could adopt such a form factor.

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This hydrogen propelled Peugeot concept is an ultra-edgy luxury coupe of the future

The rage for electric vehicles as the best defense against rising climate concerns is at its peak and growing exponentially. While all isn’t as green as it seems with electric drivetrain-powered vehicles, a better alternative that’s in the infancy stage is hydrogen-powered vehicles.

At this point in time, the cost of hydrogen-powered drivetrains is steep, thereby, overshadowing benefits like a more extended range and emissions that are nothing more than pure water or vapors. As technological advances propel it forward hydrogen fuel cells will be the way to go.

Designer: Zhe Huang

Inspired by the outshining advantaged of hydrogen fuel cell tech and keeping the future in mind, this Peugeot concept is the luxury coupe we could see roll down the freeways. The design of the concept car is based on the creases of folding paper (not origami) thus giving it a very sharp, edgy personality that goes with what the automotive design community believes will be the norm in future designs. Dubbed Peugeot ‘No Concept’ the car has an immaculate, minimal presence with a sense of visual parity that evokes intrigue.

The Cyberpunkish vibe of this hydrogen car flows from the front to the sides and then to the rear. Its car’s concave side profile adds a muscular appeal leading to the sharp aesthetics at the rear. Smooth, shining surface of the Peugeot coupe is intended to create volume in the right place. For visual depth and contrast, Zhe employs a smart interplay of black glints along with silver and gray colors. When the light hits the car’s surface at different angles, at different times of the day, it somehow seems like a different beast altogether.

From the top, the No Concept looks like an inverted surfboard ready to hit the rough waters. That said it’s just a clever use of oblong tinted glass. Passengers can view through the glass on clear sunny days, while someone watching from the outside will not be able to peek in clearly. Hence, offering privacy to the passengers and riders.

The exterior design is super cool and aerodynamically optimized to reduce drag coefficient for better fuel efficiency and overall range. Peugeot No Concept is exactly what we wanted in a monotonous automotive concept space which is mostly filled with designs that are either impractical or too futuristic to be real!

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Storage-friendly skoolie incorporates two fully-functional offices, epic kitchen and a spacious bedroom

Living on the road and off the grid sounds easy but many people find it difficult to spend their nights inside a compact trailer and miss the comforts of home. Despite teardrop trailers being a cheap and fancy alternative to suffice wanderlust, travel enthusiasts don’t resonate with the idea of spending their nights inside an aluminum box that lacks enough headroom, and a spacious bathroom in particular. This is where a bus home or a skoolie takes home the advantage.

An ideal alternative to towing trailer, a skoolie boasts spaciousness, features plenty of room for storage, and can even be customized as per the user’s needs. Aurora is one such bus home conversion that ticks all the requisites. As big as two European tiny house, the 40-feet long, 2004 International RE-300 school bus with a DT466E engine has been successfully converted into a mobile home by a Dokata-based couple, Josh and Emily.

Designer: Josh and Emily

Thoughtfully designed, it weighs 35,000 lbs and incorporates a full kitchen, bathroom and bedroom inside its robust build. However, the biggest highlight of the school bus conversion is its utilization of space that allows two fully-functional offices (with two monitor screens each) to pack inside its steel body. One of the offices is adjacent to the L-shaped kitchen, and the other one is located at the back of the bus. The office at the front end can actually be utilized as kitchen counter space too, while the one at the rear can function as a quaint working area.

Facing the front home office is a white couch that can be extended into an L-shape sofa, ideal for sleeping a single guest. The home offices’ desk drawer can come out and transform the space into a nice dining table. The kitchen space lying next to the office is like none other. It is equipped with every minute item from electronics to storage sections that are required for a comfortable stay. With a plethora of wooden cabinets gracing the interior, the kitchen is also equipped with a full-size fridge, propane-powered stove and oven.

Another major highlight of Aurora is its intelligent use of space. At the entrance of the bus home, you are graced by stairs and a dash that features storage compartments to house shoes and other nitty-gritty items. Even the top of the dash is being utilized as a shelf to house various items, with the likes of plant pots. Not to mention, there is a litter box for the couple’s cat that lives with them. The windows of the bus home make the space seem really open and allow lots of natural light to pass in, hence acting as a source of energy for plants too.

Next, there is a bedroom that mainly constitutes a queen-size bed and features some overhead storage. The bathroom falls second to the bedroom and features a sunken shower. In addition, the bathroom door has been designed in a manner that it ends up separating the front section of the bus home from its rear.

The whole build is incredibly well-planned. The duo spent two years of DIY labor on finalizing the layout, interior design and other modifications before they unveiled their stellar bus home conversion to the world. Another impressive highlight of the skoolie is its off-grid capability. Flanking three extendable awnings, the bus home features a raised roof covered in a 2,400-watt solar panel system powering the devices inside. Furthermore, there are three 40-gallon gray and black water tanks mounted within the floor of the bus helping it to stay fully off-grid for about ten days or so.

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2023 Volvo S60 Recharge review

PROS:


  • Clean looks

  • Frugal power

  • Great sound system

CONS:


  • Uneven power delivery

  • No Android Auto

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

A great driving, great looking, and of course incredibly safe sedan that will serve you well until you're ready to jump over to join the EV lifestyle.

The current generation S60 is getting a little long in the tooth. Introduced in 2018 and iterated over the years since, in 2023 it’s all a bit familiar. That’s especially true with a swath of interesting cars starting to make their way over the Swedish horizon, electrified offerings following in the footsteps of Volvo’s all-electric X40 Recharge and the upcoming EX90.

But, for those who aren’t quite ready to commit to the battery-electric lifestyle, Volvo’s current plug-in Recharge powertrain, as seen here on this S60, is a compelling choice. With an estimated 41 miles of range and 455 horsepower to boot, it’s both fast and potentially frugal, a no-compromises sedan. Or… few compromises, at least. Does it stand up in the face of newer, fresher competitors, especially in a market where the humble sedan is increasingly verboten?

Design

On the style side, Volvo’s attempting to freshen up the S60 with what it calls the Black Edition. It is simply but appropriately named, and if you like things that are colored black, you’re going to love this. The car is, of course, black, but so too the wheels and the trim and even much of the branding

It’s black-on-black to an extreme, to the point where a friend likened it to Knight Rider. This thing is rather more modern looking than a 1980’s Pontiac Trans Am, though — even if the current design of the S60 is now turning five. That’s old for a car with premium aspirations, where fresh looks are an important element of prestige, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is still a very good looking car.

Though many of the details are lost in the monochrome stylings, those Thor’s Hammer headlights look great, situated low on the car’s steeply angled nose, either side of a grille that features a grid-like pattern that contrasts nicely with the otherwise subtle shape of this sedan.

Things have a generic flow over the front fenders before getting interesting again with the pronounced creases above the rear wheels, my favorite design cue on the entire machine. Out back, a subtle lip protruding from the trailing edge of the trunk lid helps add some personality to the posterior, while the big, bold tail lights continue the trend set by the headlights. They’re also incredibly hard to miss, a safety feature in their own right.

Personally, I’ll always be more of a fan of these lines as applied to the V60 wagon, but I can’t deny this sedan still looks fresh, even if the Black Edition makes its most notable shapes a lot harder to spot.

The black-on-black theme continues to the interior, though some of the brightwork has survived here to break up what would otherwise be a very monotonous place. The S60’s interior got a bit of an up-do in 2022 with the introduction of Android Automotive, a very mild refresh that still looks quite nice. The knurled and polished metal band across the dashboard here highlights the shape of the dash and leads nicely to the Bowers & Wilkins speaker grilles embedded on the doors, though the highlight is the central tweeter poking out of the middle of the dash. It’s an excellent sound system and well worth the $3,200 up-charge.

Leather sections lead subtly to textured rubber expanses in an interior that’s generally full of nice materials, only a small section of dust-magnet piano black plastic surrounding the central shifter cheapening things up a bit. But, the Orrefors Sweden crystal knob itself still adds a good dose of class to the joint.

Sadly, the drive mode roller knob that formerly lived ahead of that shifter has gone, which means if you want to go from Hybrid to Power to Pure to Constant AWD modes you’ll need to go digging into a sub-menu in the 9-inch touchscreen. That’s a disappointment if you like to toggle through modes as frequently as I do.

That touchscreen runs Android Automotive, not to be confused with Android Auto. Automotive brings the full Google experience right into the car. Sign in and you can directly install apps like YouTube Music and Spotify to run natively with or without your phone. What it does it does well, offering easy access to your address book, contacts, even calendar appointments so your car will probably know where you want to go before you even tell it.

Sadly, there’s a lot of stuff it still doesn’t do. App selection is still a fraction of what’s available on Android Auto and it just doesn’t seem to be growing. Meanwhile, in-car features like the 12.3-inch virtual gauge cluster don’t have nearly the breadth of customization nor the depth of available information found on competing systems.

Android Automotive does pair nicely with that gauge cluster and even the heads-up display, so you have full navigation instructions everywhere you look. And, crucially, Google has finally added Apple CarPlay support, so iPhone users will have easy access to all their phone’s media. However, if you’re an Android User, Android Auto is still missing and, along with it, its hundreds of compatible apps.

Moving back to the more tangible aspects of the car, front seats are eminently comfortable and customizable, and the heaters built into them as well as into the steering wheel are among the most powerful in the business. Truly a blessing on a chilly morning.

Rear seating is slightly less accommodating but still quite comfy, with decent headroom and plenty of legroom and, yes, powerful heaters back here, too. There’s a small pass-through between the seats for skis or similarly skinny cargo, but both seats fold flat at the touch of a button, expanding the S60’s paltry 11.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity. That the V60 offers 22.9 with the seats up is yet another box in the wagon’s favor in my book, but if you’re the sort who prefers a trunk to a hatch, it’s workable.

Driving Dynamics

The S60 is far from a sports car but, with 455 hp and 523 pound-feet of torque on tap, it certainly gets up and moves like one. Most of the time, anyway. The powertrain here is a little complicated. Up front you have a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine making 312 hp on its own. That power exclusively goes to the 19-inch front wheels, here wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero tires.

Out back you have another, wholly separate powertrain. This is a 143-hp electric motor that drives only the rear wheels. Put the car into Pure mode and it’ll pull from the 14.9-kilowatt-hour battery pack to move you silently and emissions-free. Volvo says you can get 41 miles on a charge and I actually did slightly better in my testing, despite the cold this time of year. That battery charges via a level-two charger, so if you make a lot of short trips and can plug in between them you could be looking at a very good fuel economy.

However, tap into the maximum power delivered by the gasoline engine up front and you’ll probably be looking at something closer to the 30 mpg city, 33 highway that the EPA rates the S60 T8. In my testing, which included a fair bit of all-EV driving tempered by equal amounts of spirited driving, I averaged 35.5 mpg. That’s quite far for a car this heavy with this much power. But again, you could do a lot better if you’re a frequent charger.

Again, this is a complicated powertrain and on the road it unfortunately feels a bit complicated. In EV-only Pure mode the car actually has good torque and is reasonably quick, only feeling flat when you get up to highway speeds. Put the car into Power mode and things get rather more lively. The engine fires up and you get maximum power and responsiveness.

The ultimate power in this mode is very strong, but the delivery still leaves a bit to be desired. At lower speeds, when the engine’s eight-speed transmission is in a lower gear, the car surges forward smoothly and powerfully. But, sometimes you catch that transmission in the wrong gear. Put your foot down and you get a quick kick of torque from the electric motor. Then, everything seems to pause as the transmission drops a few cogs and the gasoline engine joins the party unfashionably late. For the driver it’s an awkward feeling. For the passengers, it’s downright nauseating.

You can learn to drive around it with a little bit of extra care, not unlike dealing with a car with a laggy turbo, but it also impacts the handling. When pushing through a corner, getting on the throttle aggressively can result in either the front or the rear losing grip first depending on which drivetrain has more torque to offer first.

The core handling of the car, though, is certainly quite tractable. There’s a fair bit of body roll, no surprise given the 4,425-pound curb weight, but those Pirelli don’t give up their grip easily. Overall, the S60 offers a good balance of comfortable cruising with just enough engagement in handling to keep things fun.

For quieter times, there two other drive modes: Hybrid which is what the car falls over to when the battery charge is depleted, and Constant AWD, which ensures you’ll have both powertrains working together. This is very useful for ensuring reliable behavior in low-grip situations like snow or ice.

Pricing and Options

A base Volvo S60 Recharge Core starts at $52,345. What you’re looking at here, though, is an Ultimate spec car with the Black Edition package. The Ultimate spec adds key features like Volvo’s Pilot Assist active safety system, including adaptive cruise, plus niceties like the heads-up display and 360 camera. The Black Edition starts at $57,950, though the black paint itself is another $695 on top of that. Add $3,200 for that Bowers & Wilkins sound system, $750 for the climate package (which heats the steering wheel, rear seats, and washer nozzles), plus a $1,095 destination charge, and you have an out-the-door price of $63,690.

To me, the notion of having a Volvo without all the active-safety features would be a strange one, so I’d suggest stepping up at least to the Plus. The $2,700 premium over the Core gives Pilot Assist and the 360 camera. But, if you have the budget you can step all the way up to the $69,225 Polestar Engineered flavor, with better suspension and better brakes.

The S60 Recharge’s value sweet spot is definitely closer to Plus than Polestar, but you do you. Regardless of flavor, you’re getting a great driving, great looking, and of course incredibly safe sedan that will serve you well until you’re ready to jump over to join the EV lifestyle.

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Acer ebii is a lightweight AI-enabled e-bike with 70 miles of range

One won’t expect budget-friendly PC, laptop and accessories maker, Acer to create an electric bike, but they’ve done so. Out of the blue, the Taiwan-based hardware and electronics company has stepped into an unrelated market that’s highly competitive.

The electric bike dubbed ebii is tailored for city commuting and its USP is an AI-powered control box that learns the users’ driving habits and conditions to toggle motor assistance and gear shifting patterns. Of course, there are other innovative features that’ll propel Acer’s e-bike to be a winning proposition.

Designer: Acer

According to Jerry Kao of Acer, “The all-new ebii delivers on our commitment to sustainability via technology and creative design, further driven by the desire to enhance user’s mobility and experiences.” Weighing just 35 pounds, the e-bike is lighter than other lucrative options on the market, making it ideal for urban living. Things like the battery status, powering on remotely, or toggling the driving modes can be monitored via the ebiiGO app – thus, giving the rider plenty of flexibility.

Acer ebii comes with collision detection sensors to prevent accidents and proximity unlocking features for locking the e-bike whenever you are far away and unlocking it again when you are near proximity. There’s a radar sensor under the saddle to keep the rider aware of any vehicles approaching from behind. Built-in GPS tracker for coordinate tracking means the electric bike is safe from theft, as you can lock it remotely and access the current location.

The removable 460-Wh battery housed inside the control box can be fully charged in 2.5 hours, and Acer promises a range of around 70 miles on a single charge. When you are not driving around, the battery can double as a power bank for your power-hungry gadgets, now how cool is that? On the e-bike this battery feeds the 250-W motor which can be mated to the front-wheel drive system or installed on the rear – that’s another good feature riders will surely like. This motor churns out 40 Nm (29.5 lb.ft) of torque with the ability to provide pedal assist for up to 25 km/h in Europe and 20 mph in the United States. The e-bike can reach a top speed of 20 mph which is good.

E-bike’s lightweight aesthetics are attributed to the aluminum alloy frame leading to a translucent headlight section, taillights, and strip lighting for increased visibility. The headlights can automatically power on/off depending on the time of the day. Sustainability is a priority for Acer, hence, they’ve fitted 20-inch wheels encapsulated by 2.2-inch airless tires that are made out of closed-loop recyclable materials.

Acer ebii will come with optional accessories including fenders and a rear rack to extend the scope use even further. The price has not been confirmed yet, and neither has a release date been announced, but if Acer can keep the price competitive, the e-bike will lure buyers given its excellent features.

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