Perhaps Lexus has had enough of criticisms that its environmental efforts make it a pseudo-green carmaker as the Japanese brand reveals a hybrid bicycle concept instead.
The carmaker is known for producing luxury and large vehicles which have never been delicate drinkers of fuel- but in a bid to cut emissions- has already a hybrid range of cars. Sadly even the most fuel efficient of these still emits 148g/km of CO2 and is directly responsible for a ongoing reassessment of the London’s congestion charge, which currently allows all hybrids, regardless of actually fuel efficiency, to go charge-free through the city.
But, the carmaker’s latest concept should be definitely be exempt-regardless of any changes in charge criteria. The carmaker which prides itself on being a leader in bringing advanced greener technologies to the premium sector says it has applied the same thinking on a smaller scale to create its Hybrid Bicycle. The design concept even features the familiar L-finesse design language in its elegant frame. It couples this with the application of hybrid power, an electric eight-speed transmission and lightweight carbon fibre construction.
Lexus has now brought what is one of the only two examples in existence to the UK for the first time, following the bicycle’s debut at the 2009 Tokyo motor show. Its arrival coincides with the announcement of Lexus’s title sponsorship of the Great British Bike Ride, a four-day charity fun ride that will see hundreds of cyclists following a course from Land’s End to the home of English rugby at Twickenham.
The hybrid bicycle uses similar approach as the carmaker’s hybrid car technology, using the pedal power of the rider boosted by assistance to the front wheel from a 240W electric motor, via a 25.9V Lithium-ion battery, with a choice of Eco or Power modes. And, as with the Lexus Hybrid Drive, there is an energy regeneration function that helps recharge the battery by capturing kinetic energy generated under braking.
The Lexus Hybrid Bicycle has all-wheel drive, by means of a belt system. It is equipped with an electric eight-speed Shimano internal gear system, which references the sophisticated eight-speed shift-by-wire automatic transmission of Lexus’s LS 600h limousine. The carbon fibre construction shares the same light-but-strong composite materials technology that was used on Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP-winning motorcycle.
Sadly- there are no current plans for the Lexus Hybrid Bicycle to become a production model.
