my blog: Ford electric E-Bike Concept packs a Galaxy S II on the bars, motor in the wheel

Monday, September 12, 2011

Ford electric E-Bike Concept packs a Galaxy S II on the bars, motor in the wheel

Ford already wowed us with the Evos concept, but the slinkiest hybrid we've seen so far here in Frankfurt has not four wheels but two. It's a concept bicycle from Ford called -- wait for it -- the E-Bike Concept. It packs an electric motor built into the front wheel that can power it up to a maximum speed of 25 km/h, driven by a 9.2Ah battery. Or you can power it the conventional way by pedalling, torque conveyed to the rear wheel over a carbon belt. (Oily chains are so last century.)

Perhaps even more interesting is what rests up on the handlebars. No, that's no iDevice -- refreshingly it's a Galaxy S II. Through some custom software, riders will be able to change suspension modes and of course monitor battery charge, not to mention get a little assistance from Google Navigation and maybe pump out some Pandora too. The word "Concept" in the title here and the spindly frame design should give you a clue about when this thing will see production -- probably never. But, we'll be back with an update if that ever changes.

Gallery: Ford E-Bike Concept