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City transport solution
With most of the high profile press conferences out of the way on the first official press day, Wednesday March 5th was a relatively quiet affair which provided the opportunity of indulging in some more adventurous reconnaissance. It is quite amazing what else can be found at the Geneva show if you just wander into the corners of the big halls where perhaps the day before you had rushed by, in order to capture the next big model launch.
As traffic congestion becomes an ever-increasing problem in most major cities around the world, many motor manufacturers have turned to producing ultra small city compacts for ease of getting around or simply finding somewhere to park. Tied to all of this is the push for better green credentials and this has pushed manufacturers to explore new technology in an effort to reduce CO2 emissions.
Apart from the obvious theme of green technology at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, there was another group of products visible that has not received as much coverage as perhaps it deserves. If you took the trouble to look, one could find a greater number of clever two-wheeled, three-wheeled and quad bike products, and many more than in previous years by all accounts.
Names that are not familiar to most, were strutting their stuff and of course they all had their own specific technologies to promote. From the truly revolutionary to the truly quirky and even bizarre, these products are certainly viable alternatives to the small city car. Parking problems are significantly reduced and on the green ticket, CO2 emissions are certainly lower.
Can-Am offer the Spyder three-wheeler and so focussed is this company, that they heavily promote the Y-factor (or ‘you-factor’) with a comprehensive range of personalised accessories, apparel and protective clothing for a whole new lifestyle surrounding this mode of transport.
Resembling an aeroplane cockpit, the Swiss manufacturer, Peraves of Winterthur, has been producing their streamlined two-wheelers for 25 years. The ‘cabin motorcycle’ genre as they term it, offers the rider, or is the driver, luxury air-conditioned transport at 200km/h without the need for a helmet or safety clothing. Powered by a 1171cc BMW motorcycle engine, the MonoTracer offers a truly unique mode of transport as production extends to only 100 vehicles per year.
Smera produce a quad vehicle that from the side view appears much like a Smart car, only smaller. It is completely enclosed with two doors, but is little wider than a conventional scooter. Termed a maxi scooter, it would be strong competition for ultra small city cars.
The Classic Plus is more traditionally styled, and resembles a small golf buggy and is more utilitarian in appearance. Without any doors, this four-wheeler does have a protective roof and windscreen but is open at the back. Functional yes, but not as attractive or appealing as the above-mentioned models.
Perhaps the time has come when we will begin to see more of these micro vehicles in our cities, and should demand pick up, then we can certainly expect to find yet more manufacturers producing their versions of these space-savers.
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