It may have the looks of a futuristic soapbox car, but the Future Mobility Concept from Canyon E Bikes has the chops to garner an investment of over USD$900 million. Bigwigs such as the Belgium investment group Groupe Bruxelles Lambert and former Apple senior vice president and co-creator of the iPod Tony Fadell contributed to this round of investment. In response, Canyon founder Roman Arnold stated, “We’ve become a global, digital champion through steady success. Through technology, global expansion and sporting success, we have accomplished a lot. Now is the right time to go further on the offensive, to take advantage of all the opportunities—and they are many. That’s why I’m very pleased to partner with GBL, who have convinced my team and me with their passion for our business, years of experience, and long-term focus.
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Future Mobility Concept | Image: Canyon.com
Now flush with gas, Canyon plans to develop the Future Mobility concept—a pedal car with an electric range of roughly 93 miles. The pedal car uses a recumbent-style seating that has the rider/driver laid back while using stick steering to maneuver the vehicle. As small as the pedal car is, there’s still room in the back for either a tandem pedaler or for enclosed cargo storage. Better still, the awkward-looking car is said to have a top speed of 60 km per hour.
The concept isn’t exactly a bicycle, given that it has four wheels, but Canyon says that it could qualify as a dual-classification vehicle. The electric assistance is limited to 25 km per hour, which keeps it in line with the cycling aspect, but once you hit the road you can jump up to that 60 km per hour mark, which would mean you’ll need a driving license and insurance in order to handle it.
Future Mobility Concept | Image: Canyon.com
“Bridging the gap between bike and car,” says Canyon’s press material, “our Future Mobility Concept presents a revolutionary alternative to both the automobile and the bicycle. Combining the next generation of lightweight and powerful bike design with four-wheel stability and storm-proof protection from the elements, our Future Mobility Concept represents a decisive step in re-imagining how bicycle technology can reclaim space on the streets.It is a clean vehicle, a statement, and a sign of what’s to come.” And that should be coming soon given the nearly $1 billion cash infusion.
Future Mobility Concept | Image: Canyon.com
