Carver One Bike Car Hybrid Thing To Appear At Melbourne Motor Show

I won’t lie to you, folks. When I was directed to put this up as a news item, I baulked. I mean, look at the thing.

However, after giving it a bit more thought (but probably more as a result of watching our favourite midget Richard Hammond chucking one around), I’ve changed my mind.  The Carver One is a ripper, and I want one.

Designed by Dutch madmen aero-engineers, Carver One’s intent is to deliver the spirit of motorcycling while maintaining the stability of a car.

Its turbo-charged 660cc four-cylinder engine puts out 48kW (65hp) at 7500rpm, and offers 100Nm (74lb-ft) of torque at 4000rpm.  The developers also offer an option to upgrade the ECU so that power increases to a whopping 63kW (85hp).  Fuel economy is an agreeable 6.0 l/100km.

All that power is sent to the wheels via a traditional five-speed manual transmission, so be assured this is as much a car as it is a bike tricycle.

With a top speed of 185km/h (115mph) and a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 8.2 seconds, it’s no superbike/car, but its driver-switchable comfort and sports modes should ensure the average driver/rider is satisfied.

Carver One can lean up to 45 degrees in either direction, and can swing between one side and the other at a rate of 85 degrees per second. While this is going on, the back two wheels stay firmly planted on the ground.

Despite its name, there’s room for two in the Carver One, where leather-lined comfort awaits.

But really, to truly appreciate the Carver One, I can only direct you to this video of Richard Hammond carving it up.

In the mean time, keep an eye here for more images and information from the Melbourne Motor Show on February 27.