Danish bicycle manufacturer Biomega has decided to
do what Peugeot, Opel and Skoda did more than a century ago and build its first
car. Known for its designer bikes, Biomega has unveiled its first
four-wheel vehicle concept in Shanghai. Named SIN after the city-state of
Singapore, it’s the company’s vision of a back-to-basics EV.
The name also puts it in line with the brand’s
bicycles; that’s because all Biomega bikes are named with three-letter
abbreviations of cities that inspired some elements of their design.The company
says its target with the SIN is to take its principles of social innovation,
design thinking, and urban mobility and apply them to the automotive industry.
Basically, Biomega founder Jens Martin Skibsted says the study is “another step
in the natural progression of our ongoing battle against the combustion car.”
The four-door SIN may not look like a crossover
utility vehicle (CUV), but that’s exactly how Biomega describes it. It’s
designed to get passengers and cargo from A to B “in the most efficient way
possible, minimizing time, money and power spent.” To do that, the SIN adopts a
less-is-more philosophy, using minimal components and lightweight materials.
For example, the vehicle features four independent electric motors mounted on
the outer sides of the wheels. Furthermore, the body shell is made of CFRP with
aluminum crossbeams.
The minimalist approach to the design results in a
roomy but rather austere cabin. Bolted on the flat floor are four independent
bus-like seats with generous legroom. The SIN also features a front fascia
window to increase visibility. Another interesting solution is the SIN’s
open-wheel design.
Thanks to the use of lightweight composite materials
and clever packaging, the SIN weighs just 950 kg. That includes the
20-kWh battery pack that tips the scales at 200 kg. Located under
the floor, the batteries feature a modular swapping system that helps ease
range anxiety.
Thanks to the low weight, driving range is estimated
at 160 km. As for performance, the 60kW (82 PS) electric motors
enable decent figures. The instantly available 160 Nm of torque
help it do the 0 to 100 km/h in 13 seconds and reach a top speed of
130 km/h.
Biomega says the SIN is easy to maneuver in tight
urban spaces and can be adapted for a wide range of business models, including
ride sharing or leasing. The company estimates it will bring its first EV to
market between 2021 and 2023, for a projected price of € 20,000 (US$ 22,950).
