Washi but not wishy
Japanese electric trike features doors made of authentic 'washi' paperFour small companies in the Kansai region of Japan, around Osaka, have banded together to create a 'traditional' trike for tourism duties, powered purely by electricity.
Though the design might not pique the interest of mainstream motorcyclists, there is something to be said of the "washi" doors. Made from traditional Japanese paper, the doors create an interesting aesthetic, though their crashworthiness is dubious at best (although they may have edible properties).
The three-wheeled electric vehicle has no particular name as yet, but its creators are hopeful the device will appeal to tourism operators.
Power for the three-seater comes from a small electric motor that can deliver speeds of up to 40km/h, and the trike stores energy in lithium ion batteries. Boasting drum brakes at each wheel, the low-tech components combine with the retro design to deliver a distinctive image.
Costing around ¥2.3 million ($A28,000) to produce, the conglomerate that builds the trike is hoping to lower the costs to around ¥1 million ($A12,000) when the vehicle goes on sale in 2011.
For similar money you could get a Triumph Street Triple, which can only carry two people but is capable of performing rolling burnouts on cue, another traditional Japanese pastime.
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