Media Service News 2015:
Recumbent trike Scorpion plus 26
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Download Press Release as PDF: New Scorpion plus 26 (2014/08/05)
New for 2015: Scorpion plus 26 - the Trike with SUV Genes
Higher, wider and more comfortable: HP Velotechniks new trike
generation is setting standards/ Riding a trike has never before been so
comfortable: High seating position for an almost perfect all-round views
and easy mounting / Numerous new options for added convenience like an
electric motor with a reverse gear
******** Summary ***********
Friedrichshafen. A small revolution is occurring at HP
Velotechnik, the recumbent manufacturers from Germany. The classical low
tadpole recumbent trike has grown into an armchair trike. The motto for
the engineers when drawing the new "Scorpion plus 26" was: higher,
wider, more comfortable. Especially in regard to comfort matters the new
generation raises the bar considerably. It has never been easier to
enter a trike. The trike with SUV genes addresses persons who could or
would not consider the bicycle as a means of transport. CEO Paul
Hollants is convinced that dyed-in-the-wool cyclists will discover even
more at the Foyer West (FW-300) of the Eurobike (August, 26th - 30th):
"Our new SUV Trike Scorpion Plus combines the pleasure of riding with a
superior overview in traffic and the already well known ergonomic
advantages of this class of vehicle."
The newly designed wide frame including a new seat lifts the driver up
to a seat height of 57 cm. "This is definitely at eye level with most
car drivers and was unthinkable up to now for trikes of this type", says
Hollants. The seat guarantees an anatomically very comfortable posture.
Strains on spine, neck and torso muscles are noticeably reduced. Arms
and hands rest in relaxed positions. The newly developed hand rest is
the true cherry on the cake. This comes in response to feedback from
many trike fans who want to simply rest their hand on the handlebars
without keeping a constant hold of the grip.
But the search for greater comfort did not stop there. For the electric
bike version, the German company also presents the electrical reverse
gear. The new, premium electric drive also offers a large colored
screen, remote operation from the handlebars and a 558 Wh rechargeable
battery. Those who opt for the dual battery option from the companys
modular system can enjoy a range of up to 260 km. The full-suspension,
foldable Scorpion plus is also safer than ever, and not just because of
the extra tipping stability thanks to the wide chassis: The optional
brake light enables riders to give a clear signal to the traffic behind
them when braking.
However, the most astonishing thing about the larger Scorpion plus is
that even smaller riders with heights from just 1.49 meters can pedal
away on this stylish vehicle. The pure elegance of the SUV trike is
highlighted by the new color scheme of Sahara silver. The "Scorpion plus
26" will be available from specialist dealers from January 2015 with a
starting price of 3,990 Euros or 6,480 Euros in the version with the
premium motor. For further information, please visit
www.hpvelotechnik.com or phone +49 61 92-97 99 20.
******** Long Version ********
Friedrichshafen. "And how do I get on?" Almost everyone
who faces a recumbent trike for the first time asks this question. And
many add: "That would be too low for me out on the road." With the new
Scorpion plus 26, such discussions are a thing of the past. The rider
intuitively climbs on from the front and hovers above everything. This
has been made possible thanks to the far larger frame and the ErgoMesh
HS plus seat. A comfortable seat height of 57 centimeters was previously
inconceivable for this kind of bike. From August, 26th - 30th, Eurobike
visitors can see the difference that eleven centimeters makes to a trike
(compared to the former HP Velotechnik models) at the booth in the west
foyer (FW-300) or experience the difference for themselves with a test
ride (eastern outdoor area, FGO-109).
The core element of the new trike with SUV genes is its fully redesigned
frame. In creating this, the developers have achieved the almost
physically impossible, as Daniel Pulvermüller, Managing Director and
Head of the Design department, commented: "We wanted to construct a high
multi-track vehicle that still offered maximum tipping stability. The
Scorpion plus will act as a solid platform for universal uses - you
could say its a real sports utility vehicle."
At first glance, the frame is about ten centimeters higher and wider
than that of previous models. According to Pulvermüller, however, the
real design plus only becomes clear on taking a closer look: Unlike on
sporty members of the Scorpion family such as the Enduro or the
S-Pedelec, the seat edge on the generation plus model appears to move
forward to the frame cross-members. We say appears as actually, in
relation to the design as a whole, the seat is positioned further back.
This was necessary to optimize the center of gravity and enable the high
vehicle to achieve its impressive tipping stability.
To still enable users to mount the trike easily, the developers have
made major changes to the geometry of the front wheel axle. The two
support elements on the main frame now strain powerfully forward and act
like open arms, inviting users to take a seat with a single movement.
The wishbone and stabilizer system were also radically overhauled for
the comfort model: In line with the contours of the frame
cross-member, they bend firmly forward to create more space between the
wheel and the frame, enabling users to mount the trike easily. An extra
bonus from operation comfort: The permissible maximum load has also
increased from 140 to 150 kilograms.
Larger vehicle for smaller riders
Yet the most astounding thing about the larger Scorpion plus is that the
new geometric design now also enables far smaller riders with heights
from just 1.49 meters to easily climb onto the stylish trikes and start
pedaling.
But despite all these changes, the vehicles have in no way lost their
classic Scorpion genes. The trike is a full-suspension model that uses
the same tried-and-tested McPherson chassis as the rest of the "Scorpion
fs" range. Thanks to HP Velotechniks patented quick-folding hinge, the
trike can be quickly and easily folded to just 81 x 91 x 99 cm (L x W x
H) and fits in almost any car trunk. The height increase is reflected in
the Scorpion pluss extra 16 cm ground clearance, which provides plenty
of space between the trike and rough terrain without it becoming shaky -
just like an SUV.
Sporty riders may prefer the BodyLink seat to the high ErgoMesh HS plus
one. However, even with this sporty hard shell version, the command seat
still reaches a lofty 43 centimeters. The manufacturer assures that the
seat, which is attached by three quick releases, can be removed in
seconds. And thanks to the new seat stop, finely adjusting the seat
position is now easier than ever.
Electric bike with reverse gear
"We didnt just limit ourselves to seat-related matters in our comfort
offensive", emphasized Paul Hollants, joint Managing Director of HP
Velotechnik together with Pulvermüller. "We also focused on the U in
SUV and worked hard to refine useful details for everyday road use." The
most spectacular new feature is the hub motor with an electric reverse
gear designed in cooperation with the premium supplier GO SwissDrive.
Reversing electrically assisted with a limited maximum speed of 3 km/h
is no problem due to the sound stand of the trikes.
But the swiss motor can deliver much more: the new remote control is
attached directly to the handle. All switching can be done intuitively
with a thumb on the touchpad, rather than having to look at it, though
the large new color display (3.2") does allow for easy overview and
control. Furthermore the unit is very flexible: Ready for Bluetooth 4.0
communication it allows phonecall visualization during the ride. Service
data exchange is possible via app. And the USB connector enables the
rider to charge USB devices up to 5 V / 1A.
The motor can be individually programmed with different profiles. "Start
power" for example lets the motor push forward with extra force when
taking off. According to the makers the new motor offers high efficiency
even at low revs, which is to say that the motor will run smoothly even
at slow speeds with a high current flow. In addition to this the new
refined lithium ion rechargeable battery pack (36V) delivers a whopping
increase of 25% power capacity at 558 Wh. Thus the HP Velotechnik dual
propulsion option with two battery packs evenly mounted under the seat
for a low center of gravity, will allow for assisted riding distances of
up to 260 kilometers (roughly 160 miles).
At the same time, the Generation plus also offers a further advantage,
as Hollants emphasized: "We use the larger chassis to create plenty of
space for luggage." The rear support can hold four conventional bags
with a load of up to 50 kilograms without the rechargeable batteries and
bidons getting in the way. And anyone who wants to transport bulky goods
will learn to appreciate the Scorpion as a willing packhorse. There is
no need to worry when attaching a bike trailer: The two steered wheels
on the wide front are always in view and enable the trike rider to
safely estimate how much space the attached load carrier requires.
Hand rest and brake light
The large Scorpions character also shines through in the little
details. One small part with a great effect is the new hand rest.
Hollants commented: "You dont have to be a cycling globetrotter to
quickly notice that the supported cushion under the handlebar grips
provides outstanding respite for the hands." When ergonomically
adjusted, riders can cruise through the countryside even more casually
than if they were driving a car with their arm resting on the center
console.
Of course, the hand rest can also be installed on all other models from
the Hesse-based recumbent specialist. The same applies to the optional
brake light - a real plus in terms of safety: In combination with a
lighting system with a SON hub dynamo, recumbent riders can instantly
show the traffic behind them when they are pressing the brakes.
The pure elegance of the SUV trike is highlighted by the new color
scheme of Sahara Silver. The "Scorpion plus 26" is alternatively
available in Magma Red. It will be available from specialist dealers
from January 2015 with a starting price of 3,990 Euros. As on previous
models, customers can select any desired added extras, such as an
electric drive, from the broad modular system. With the premium GO
SwissDrive motor, the bike costs 6,480 Euros; with the optional BionX
250 W motor, the overall cost is reduced to 5,480 Euros. For further
information, please visit www.hpvelotechnik.com or phone +49 61 92 - 97
99 20.
******** For further informations (only for the desk) ********
Alexander Kraft, press spokesman HP Velotechnik OHG
Tel. +49 61 92 - 97 99 22 83, mobile +49 160 - 99 85 87 94
alexander.kraft@hpvelotechnik.com
******** HP Velotechnik at the Eurobike ********
26.08.2014 (DemoDay, only trade visitors)
Fair Friedrichshafen, Parking Area East 1, Stand DD-514
27. - 30. August (27th 29th only trade visitors / open to the general public on 30th)
Fair Friedrichshafen, Foyer West, booth FW-300
E-Trike-test parcours: Eastern outdoor area, booth FG0-109
******** Technical Data Scorpion plus 26 ********
Basic model, other components on option
Frame: Scorpion plus 26 (Alu 7005 T6)
10 years warranty
Color: Plain Sahara Silver or Magma Red
with front boom and chainstays in
black; other colors on option
Tires (front): Tryker by Schwalbe (20")
Tires (rear): Marathon Racer by Schwalbe (26")
Seat height: from 43 cm (BodyLink hard shell) up to
57 cm (ErgoMesh HS plus mesh seat)
Seat angle: 35 - 44°
Suspension; HP Velotechnik McPherson strut with stabilizer system
(front 60 mm); Dnm
DV22 steel spring/oil (rear 80 mm)
Brakes: 2 x Avid BB7 disc brakes (front,
individual application to each wheel)
Gear system Sram DualDrive 24 speed
Length: 186 - 218 cm (adjustable for riders with height from 149 -
200 cm)
Wheelbase: 120 cm
Width/Track width: 91 cm / 86 cm
Ground clearence: 15,5 cm
Turning circle: 5,35 m
Weight: from 19,5 kg
Max. Payload: up to 150 kg
Package measuring: 81 x 91 x 99 cm (LxWxH)
Price: starting from 3,990 €,
with motor starting from 6,480 €
Available: from January 2015
