Rinspeed to unveil Bamboo at Geneva

Swiss carmakers Rinspeed have released images and details of their latest concept, the Bamboo, ahead of its official reveal at Geneva next month.

Once only a concept for the virtual world, the Bamboo was jointly created by Rinspeed CEO Frank M. Rinderknecht and Swiss engineering firms 4erC and Esoro to be a “sun & fun car for the extroverted communicator”. Using genuine bamboo threads throughout the interior and featuring a host of other quirks such as a detachable roof that doubles as a blow-up beach mattress, the Bamboo resembles a crossover of a pick-up truck and what Rinspeed calls a “grown up golf cart”.

Inside the Bamboo’s cabin the futuristic innovations continue, with a VDO display and HTC tablet PC housed in the elongated “bread bin” dashboard to ensure occupants are “always connected everywhere”. Like the roof, the inflatable rear seats are also removable for extra beach furniture.

In typical Swiss fashion, the Bamboo’s 54kW electric motor must be started with an army knife, it then propels the vehicle on to a top speed of 120 km/h. Rinspeed claim the Bamboo’s battery is good for a maximum range of 105 km at an average speed of 90 km/h on a single charge.

In terms of putting the Bamboo into production after the Geneva Motor Show, Rinspeed CEO Frank M. Rinderknecht will only reveal “Yes, there have been constructive talks for some time with a number of potential manufacturers.”