NThree Is the Amazingly Lightweight, Eco-Friendly Trike That Could but Didn't

With this movement towards an already available electric future, we have seen countless designs that promise to be the next answer to all our problems. Sadly, many die along the way. But some still live on as either a pinnacle of how things should be or how they currently are. As you read this text, you’ll realize that this design is more about how things should be.

What see in the cover photo is known as nThree. To better understand what it is and how it works, have a look at the gallery and then come back to the text. It looks pretty good, don’t you think? Well, not only does this concept look good, but its designers, Marin Myftiu and Hussain Almossawi, have done much more than just create a visual spectacle.

Beyond the visual representation you see, nearly everything in the designs has received a bit of attention. From body to panel work, suspension and even drivetrain, all the components have seen a designer's touch. That's not very far off from the processes that real vehicles eventually go through.

Aside from the obvious trike design, the chassis has been inspired by a rather surprising source, the toucan. Why the toucan? Well, it’s all in the beak. It would seem that the beak of this famed bird hides a rather inspiring secret: it’s amazingly light yet very strong. This is achieved through mother nature’s knowledge of automotive techniques. Just kidding on that last one, but it’s usually where most of us get our inspiration.

What the team did here was to use the same layering techniques that constitute the toucan beak’s construction. In doing so, they are theoretically able to create the vehicle you see with an expected weight of only 220 lbs (100 kg). Yes people, what you’re looking at is supposed to weigh no more than 220 lbs (100 kg) - without a rider of course. Even the seat has been geared toward weight reduction.

Now, this entire vehicle is electric too. There aren’t any details as to how much power or range it may have, but we are shown the position of a charging port found at the front of the nThree. But no matter how far it's meant to take you, there is an option for a removeable cover in case of nasty weather.

Finally, we have the all-important steering mechanism for this EV. One of the issues designers faced when building such a nonflexible chassis was how to cause it to keep a turn. Surprisingly, the answer was there all along: tilting. By implementing a tilting mechanism in the works, the vehicle can turn corners. However, the wheels still maintain some level of turning without tilting. My only question regards the turning radius on this baby.

Ok, so we’ve seen other designs like this in reality, but why aren’t we seeing any nThrees around? Well, like most other concepts we come across, the majority never make it. Maybe it’s the lack of funding. Maybe it’s just so out there. Or maybe it's just not practical. Well, not yet anyway.

Personally, I can see myself cruising around town in one of these. Why the hell not; it looks cool, it's eco-friendly, and a strict one-seater. The perfect space shuttle.