Tag Archives: trike

Lexus LS Van Concept is a future-ready motorhome for digital nomads

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Lexus is retiring the LS sedan after 2026, marking more than three decades of trust and user convenience. The Japanese luxury brand has not, however, given up on the LS moniker as it debuts a trio of concepts at the Tokyo auto show that includes a six-wheeled van, a self-driving three-wheeled robotaxi concept for cities, a larger-than-life catamaran, and a more conventional coupe.

None of these concepts is slated for a production run anytime soon, and the idea here looks to preserve the legacy of the LS division, which has served the brand well all these years. Toyota’s luxury brand debuted these interesting creations at the mega auto show with positive response from automotive pundits and motorheads alike.

Designer: Lexus

LS Van Concept

Lexus sells vans in the Asian and European markets, but not yet in the American market. The LS Van Concept takes that idea to the next level with a design that reassures its usefulness for digital nomads. The LS here signifies the Large Space aesthetic of the van, complemented by the luxury amenities that’ll never leave anyone longing for more. The vehicle has six wheels courtesy of an extra axle, giving the van more room for increasing the interior space. That means the vehicle can easily accommodate four to six people on extended adventure trips. In the relaxed mode, the two front seats can be rotated to face the rear for a more socializing layout when parked.

Rather than being a four-door saloon, the van is stretched out to revive the charm of spacious vans. The sliding door opens to reveal the interior space that is unlike any Lexus before this one. The airy cabin has large windows and a couple of skylights that are adjacent to each other for a panoramic view outside and to enjoy the night sky in its full glory. The seating configuration inside can be done in multiple configurations, including the large captain-styled seats or the reclining bench layout that can double as a nighttime sleeper for an adult. Up front, the luxury van has a curved digital display behind the yoke steering, which shows all the vitals HUD elements.

LS Micro Concept

The LS Micro Concept is a single-seater, three-wheeled commuter tailored for tight spaces. To make the city travel a less stressful experience, the vehicle is self-driving and seems less likely to enter the production lines anytime in the future. The inside cabin can be opened up when there is more space freedom, but in the normal configuration, the vehicle seems quite claustrophobic.

It’s more like a moving pod that’s loaded with a business-class-seat layout, much like the other Lexus cars. Unlike the LS Van, this one has a very closed configuration, with blacked-out translucent windows that signify the privacy aesthetic of the car. The trike is more suited to individuals who like to move solo and prefer a private setup to not get disturbed by the bustle of the city.

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Revolutionary Three-Wheel Electric Trike is like a Car with Joysticks and Pedal-Powered Battery

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The world of mobility is evolving rapidly. After electric cars and e-bikes, make way for Twike: an electric bike designed like a car and driven using joysticks, reminiscent of old arcade games. This is not fiction but a continuous endeavor by automaker TWIKE GmbH to create a human-powered hybrid vehicle aimed at providing a sustainable mode of transportation. The German manufacturer of battery-powered electric vehicles is introducing a drivable model of the electric car-bike, the Twike 5.

The Twike 5 is a pedal hybrid vehicle designed for those who pursue conscious consumption and a sustainable lifestyle. It is a three-wheel trike, with one wheel in the front and two at the back, combining an electric motor with a pedal drive. This two-seat trike weighs 600 kilograms and can reach top speeds of up to 190 kilometers per hour.

Designer: TWIKE GmbH

Range is a significant concern with electric vehicles. The Twike 5 can travel up to 500 kilometers on a single charge. The range can be extended by pedaling, which powers the battery and decreases its consumption. The pilot (as the company refers to the rider) can use two joysticks to turn left or right: pushing the right joystick forward turns right, and pushing the left joystick forward turns left. Leaving the joysticks untouched steers the Twike 5 straight. Buttons on top of the joysticks allow the pilot to control the lights, horn, wipers, and direction signals, among other functions.

As mentioned, this velomobile-style electric trike does not have a steering wheel, instead, there is a pair of joysticks on the side of the pilot to steer the vehicle in drive mode. The rider can shift to pedals in order to save power and simultaneously charge the battery, which is now 15 times better than the TWIKE’s previous variant of the e-trike. The Twike 3 like the Twike 5 accommodated two people and had similar interior configuration, but lacked the top speed, which was limited to just 85 km/h.

A few notches up from its sibling, the Twike 5, is in the testing phase for now. The Twike community – comprising people who actually want to drive it – has been testing “to see how it handles and how well everything works together.” The feedback is being used to perfect the Twike 5’s interior, exterior, and the overall riding experience. Twike 5, according to the users is a stable three-wheel electric vehicle, safe to make sharp turns, and even to drive on bumpy roads. It is likely to go into production this year, but the construction will be limited to 500 units. Since it will be delivered to community members – who have contributed toward its development – in a specially devised ranking system, you can try your luck by pre-ordering one right now!

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This e-trike with full suspension strikes the right balance between riding in city and beyond

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Electric bikes have their own environmental and health advantages. However, riding for long distances – if you’re not a pro – or when planning to go off the tarmac, an e-bike is not the best companion. Before you look for a capable pickup truck – that’ll never be the first choice for a city commute later – spare a thought for an electric trike; a three-wheel genius that strikes the right balance between the comfort of a car and the environmental and health benefits of a bike.

In the past, the shape and design of electric trikes have centered around driving pleasure, speed, and range. To present a commuter of the future, one that’s equally capable of riding within the city and on paved roads, California-based Addmotor has introduced the Grandtan X electric priced competitively at $3,299.

Designer: Grandtan X

For most of us, it’s a breathtaking new design, but actually, the Grandtan X is a feature-rich version of Addmotor’s previous Grandtan e-trike, with a new high-capacity battery, powerful motor, fat tires, and front and back suspension that makes riding the uneven roads a smoother experience. The full suspension system means comfort for the rider, while the trike’s 750W rear-mount motor ensures up to 1,400W of power, translating into 90 Nm torque to take the rider at 20mph top speed.

The Grandtan X, for robustness on any terrain, has a frame made using 6061 aluminum alloy. The rear-mounted motor adds to the stability and provides a better balance whether cruising through the street or riding over gravel with equal comfort and exhilaration. For a convenient journey uphill or down the hill, the trike has more than seven pedal assistant levels, and also has a mechanical disc brake featuring an automatic motor cutoff sensor to slow or stop it instantly.

The 127.9 lbs trike is powered by a 960-Wh Li-ion battery pack comprising Samsung 21700 cells, which take eight to ten hours to complete a full charge from a 30A output. The battery offers 85 miles of range per charge, while the IPX6 water resistance allows the Grandtan X to drive hassle-free through the elements. As off-roading enthusiasts will love to ride beyond the city roads courtesy of the bike’s rear differential that permits the wheels on the back to adjust to different speeds and terrains, the city explorers will like the trailer attachment, which enhances the trike’s cargo hauling capacity with a trailer in tow.

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This handsome three-wheeled EV boasts advanced tilting tech to keep it from toppling over

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Three-wheeled electric vehicles mostly targeted for city driving are a practical option instead of four-wheelers and a safer bet than exposed two-wheelers. There’s a downside when compared to cars though, they are not as safe as you would expect them to be, since they can topple over if driven rashly.

This was the main focus for the French nonprofit electric mobility group, SIREMS Association, who’s developed one of the safest three-wheeled electric vehicles with advanced safety features to prevent accidents. The placement of the two wheels on the rear delivers more traction and the shift of center of gravity with the semi-reclined feet forward positioning helps produce more torque.

Designer: SIREMS Association

So that the rider is confident of cornering at high speeds, the rear wheels tilt depending on the tilt of the body. The maker has developed Mobile Lateral Elements (MLEs) which are a pair of advanced doo-hickeys on each side of the front wheel to eliminate any chance of toppling over. They act like a counterbalance to prevent the inside from hitting the road and outside MLEs to keep the EV from going off balance. Just in case the speed is too high and the toppling over action cannot be prevented (laws of physics remember), these MLEs force the vehicle to prop up.

Collisions are also a probability, so these MLEs help absorb a frontal impact. There’s a triangle-shaped structure called Programmed Restraint Device (PRD) just behind the cockpit that dissipates the energy of the collision and also keeps the rider from going over the handlebar. The crumble zones of the vehicle act as a cargo storage space which is as added benefit. In case of a rear impact, the wheels detach and the frame disintegrates to prevent the driver from being crushed if the vehicle flips over.

For now, founder Philippe Girardi plans to have the finished prototype ready for testing by the end of 2024. The vehicle will hit the roads in 2028 at a speculated price of $32,500.

 

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