No joke: the crazy houseboat camper e-bike goes into series production
The Latvian designer Aigars Lauzis caused a stir in May 2020 with the Z-Triton, the prototype of an amphibious camper trike. The revolutionary vehicle, which combines a boat, tricycle and camper van, has now reached market maturity, as the start-up company "Z-Triton" announced. Delivery of the first pre-ordered Z-Triton 2.0 is set to begin towards the end of 2022 and rental will start this summer in Latvia. Customers can choose between a ready-made and a do-it-yourself version. The finished Z-Triton 2.0 costs 14,500 euros, while the "do-it-yourself" version costs just 4,500 euros.
"Z-Triton is on a mission to change the way people travel and engage with the outdoors, especially in these times of a global pandemic and the constant desire for independent and autonomous escape. Thus, this product is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who want to go on long-distance adventures or short weekend getaways to explore the beauty of our blue and green planet in a sustainable and extraordinary way," says Aigars Lauzis of Zeltini.
Great demand
The start-up has clearly struck a chord with the amphibious camper trike, as the product met with great interest after the presentation of the first prototype in 2020. The first pre-orders were received and world-renowned impact investors joined in to support the company's mission.
Although the prototype was fully functional, improvements had to be made before mass production could begin. Most parts were redesigned and reengineered, making the Z-Triton 2.0 a significant improvement over its predecessor. The mobile is now slightly wider and offers more space in the cabin so that two people can sleep comfortably in it. The bike section has been fundamentally revised and now offers more riding comfort thanks to rear wheel suspension, adjustable seat, hydraulic disc brakes, 7-speed hub gears and double the power (previously 500 watts). The boat module has also been upgraded with a more powerful 1150 watt motor. This is integrated into the body and can be raised and lowered from the cab. The list of upgrades could go on and on.The most sustainable motorhome
The Z-Triton 2.0 is 100 percent electric, comes with both boat and trike electric motors, a Li-ion battery pack and integrated solar cells on the roof. The body is made of organic fiberglass fabric with polyester from recycled PET bottles, and a number of parts have been printed in large format using bioplastics. According to the start-up company, the vehicle has a positive CO2 footprint and the aim is to offer the most sustainable motorhome on the market.
Production of the first batch is underway and the first units of the Z-Triton 2.0 will be delivered to the first pre-order customers in Europe at the end of 2022 and in the USA in 2023. The rental calendar is also online, where the Z-Triton 2.0 can be reserved at the first location in Europe, in Latvia. In addition to the finished version, the company is also developing a DIY kit, which is a simplified, modular, more affordable and easy to deliver version of the same concept. At 14,500 euros, its retail price is in the range of exclusive e-mountainbikes. And if you trust your craftsmanship, you can get your adventure bike for an almost bargain price of 4,500 euros.
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Note: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.