2011 Rinspeed BamBoo Concept news, pictures, and information

Rinspeed Presents the Sun&Fun Car Filled with Clever Ideas at the Geneva Motor Show:

Simple but highly refined is the interior of the 'BamBoo.' It's all in a name: The sides of the Bordeaux-red bench are decorated wîth the 'BamBoo' logo and the 'Rizzi bird,' artfully woven wîth bamboo thread by Zurich weaver Weisbrod. The center seating surfaces are decorated wîth Rizzi drawings, and are made from breathable high performance synthetik „Laif' material. And both rear seats are inflatable and stored in two aluminum cases on the open cargo bed. You guessed it – they too can be taken to the beach.

The puristic dashboard is in the shape of a giant breadbox - and the fine cover made from braided plastics supplied by polymer manufacturer Ticona - opens in breadbox fashion to reveal the control elements and the futuristic VDO display. The far right of the glove box houses a seven-inch HTC tablet PC 'Flyer' wîth docking station. In keeping wîth the times the tablet PC and the occupants' smartphones guarantee that the 'BamBoo' and its passengers are always connected everywhere. The elongated 'bread bin' is flanked by Harman JBL GreenEdge speakers in an avant-garde design. The world's leading provider of premium sound and infotainment systems is focusing on connectivity wîth its scalable entertainment system and the 'Aha Radio' application. And in the center thrones the vent of the electric high-voltage heater from German supplier Eberspächer catem. By the way the 'BamBoo' is started wîth an army knife. Typically Swiss.

With all this nicely packaged lifestyle the underlying technical specifications of the 'BamBoo' are easily overlooked: The four four-seater features an electric motor from the German Fräger Group (German e-Cars) wîth 54 kW of power. This high-torque motor 'made in Germany' accelerates the 1,090-kilogram vehicle to a top speed of 120 km/h. Lightweight construction does its part: The steel chassis wîth horizontal shock absorbers carries a sturdy composite body combined wîth the use of polymer plastic materials. Henkel supplies the structural foams as well as sealants and adhesives. The entire thing sits on 17' AEZ three-spoke billet aluminum wheels wîth painted inserts and eco-friendly Goodyear 'EfficientGrip' energy-saving tires in 17'. And the operating range? The battery's capacity is enough for 105 kilometers – plenty for a fun car for short-distance traffic between hotel, beach and restaurant visits in the evenings. Speaking of range: Rinderknecht has also partnered wîth energy giant RWE, whose 'intelligent' charging station demonstrates how an innovative infrastructure specialist tackles the issue of e-mobility. The advanced charger communicates wîth the car across all borders.

And what effect will 'BamBoo' have in Geneva? 'BamBoo' will push the reset button in the head of the observer, clearing the mind for a new way of automotive thinking. It exhibits simple, crisp lines; nothing is redundant – aesthetics in their purest form. Close your eyes and you'll find yourself cruising through pine forests and lavender fields in your mind. The little car was made for the beautiful beaches and vacation spots of this planet, making the 'BamBoo' sort of a world car. No wonder that bustling Frank M. Rinderknecht wants to seize this chance as figurehead of Swiss watch manufacturer C.F. Bucherer and thinks aloud about a series production. Rinderknecht will only say this: 'Yes, there have been constructive talks for some time wîth a number of potential manufacturers.' To be on the safe side, the Düsseldorf consulting firm A.T. Kearney already has manufacturing and company concepts for a series production in the drawer.

At the Geneva Motor Show even visions have to be communicated visually in top quality wîth HD displays and Blu-ray players from Sharp and advertising support from 'Die Agentur' based in Germany's federal state of Saarland.