BMW’s wacky C1 – a motorcycle complete with rollover cage, glass windscreen and impressive luggage capacity – put a brand new spin on urban commuting. Renault has taken notice and unveiled its own take on BMW’s concept – the Ublo.
BMW’s wacky C1 – a motorcycle complete with rollover cage, glass windscreen and impressive luggage capacity – put a brand new spin on urban commuting. Renault has taken notice and unveiled its own take on BMW’s concept – the Ublo.
As with the C1, Renault’s Ublo concept bike is aimed at car drivers who like the idea of motorcycling, but worry about safety. Featuring an innovative architecture designed around the idea of the bubble, the Ublo has an enclosed shell to protect the rider and three – instead of two – wheels for added stability and better handling.
The new design is reportedly the outcome of cooperation between teams from Renault Design and Renault Sport Technologies. Backed up by strong active safety, protection, comfort and storage-capacity arguments, Ublo is likely to attract this new customer target in the years to come. “Renault is moving to a seamless mobility concept by offering cars, cycles and scooters at the same point of sale,” cardesignnews.com said.
Renault’s designers began to explore a new urban mobility concept early last year. This was based on a specification drawn up by Renault Sport Technologies designed to offer wavering motorists an innovative alternative, mid-way between a conventional two-wheeler and a car. To line up strong arguments with respect to primary safety, easy driving, protection, comfort and storage capacity, the designers opted to explore a three-wheeler answer, with one wheel in front and two in the rear.
“As we have no previous track record in the motorised two-wheeler segment, we can bring a new vision to it," commented Patrick le Quément, Head of Corporate Design at Renault. "In this way, we can give it a new interpretation compared to earlier existing designs. We can, however, contribute our vast experience acquired in another field – automotive engineering – which is no doubt one of the most complex fields of human endeavour known to man."
Powered by a 124 cm3 two-cylinder petrol engine, the Ublo can be driven by anyone with a car licence. The Ublo features smart card ignition, digital dashboard and satellite-navigation. A production version is expected to go on sale as early as 2003, the site reported recently.
Meanwhile, Ford has designed an electric-powered two-wheeler, AutoExpress reported at the weekend. The TH!NK bike takes technology from the city car of the same name, and a handful of the lightweight machines are currently being tested by police in America before going on general sale.