Urban Transport

Arcimoto rides out 4th-gen prototype of Mean Lean Machine tilting e-trike

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The Cybertrike Edition will sit in the middle of a three-tier Mean Lean Machine e-trike lineup penciled in for Q4 launch
Arcimoto
The Cybertrike Edition will sit in the middle of a three-tier Mean Lean Machine e-trike lineup penciled in for Q4 launch
Arcimoto
The Mean Lean Machine was first revealed in February, and features a pedal generator instead of a chain or belt drive
Arcimoto
The Cybertrike Edition MLM looks very different to the third-generation prototype (shown), and will be the design used for on-road marketing campaigns ahead of Q4 2022 launch
Arcimoto
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Back in February, Arcimoto revealed an awesome tilting e-trike called the Mean Lean Machine. Now the e-mobility company has announced three models will make up the MLM lineup, and has rolled out a new mid-tier prototype to celebrate.

The 4th-generation MLM prototype has been dubbed the Cybertrike Edition and was revealed during Arcimoto's latest Weekend Stakeholder Update. Copies of this design are to be produced for platform testing and on-road marketing campaigns as the company moves toward the launch window at the end of this year.

"The MLM team has really outdone themselves with this Cybertrike Edition prototype," said CEO and founder of Arcimoto, Mark Frohnmayer. "The team has continued to refine the ride experience, dial in the industrial design of the chassis, as well as provision for best-in-class carrying capacity, and it will provide us with invaluable testing and marketing data as we push towards the release of the first Mean Lean Machines later this year. I remain confident that this product will be in a field of its own, while also opening up the bicycle class to a much wider audience."

For this edition, the design team has made significant improvements to the suspension for a smoother ride, swapped out the solid metal wheels for carbon fiber, manufactured a "near-production" chassis and packaged in the first MicroFutureDrive technology (though the company has yet to reveal exactly what that is, other than to note that it "will act as the 'brain' for all the new features this revolutionary vehicle will host").

The Cybertrike Edition MLM looks very different to the third-generation prototype (shown), and will be the design used for on-road marketing campaigns ahead of Q4 2022 launch
Arcimoto

Elsewhere, there's a cargo shelf to the rear plus strap-on storage to the front, the battery pack's orientation has changed from upright to horizontal and it sits in front of the box containing the mysterious MicroFutureDrive hardware, the e-trike rides on 20-inch wheels with Schwalbe tires and sports a single disc brake sits at the rear.

The prototype has integrated lighting front and back, a branded spring shock beneath the rider, a mid-handlebar trip computer and a double kickstand.

As before, the latest "ebike-class" prototype rocks hub motors in each wheel to power the MLM along via thumb throttle control, with the rider's pedal-pumping action feeding an onboard generator instead of turning a chain or belt.

The MLM family will be made up of three members – the base Sidewinder model, the Cybertrike and a high-end Mean Lean Machine – and each will come with different per-charge range capabilities, and of course different price points.

But we're going to have to wait until closer to official launch time to find out more. You can see Frohnmayer introduce the prototype at around the seven-minute mark in the video below.

Source: Arcimoto

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5 comments
paul314
It would be nice if all that size came with more cargo capacity than one little strapped-on duffel.
PAV
Paul314 my thoughts exactly! And why on earth does a trike need a kickstand. No mention of a locking brake, and only one brake?
Soup
Just imagine what you would have if you combined the Arcmotors "Mean Lean Machine tilting e-trike" with the Arcmotors FUV. I know, the stillborn Toyota iRoad!

That was a great concept that went nowhere for no reason. Pity.
Gordien
Looks like Fun to drive (like a little FUV), and if it could keep up with traffic (about 40 mph), and had some protection from rain and sun, I wouldn't need a lot more for in town transportation. It would be funny if it could jump start a ICE vehicle.
Adrian Akau
A follow up article would be appreciated when more information becomes available.