Ariel Dash e-bike announced

United Kingdom-based Ariel Motor Company has returned to its bicycle roots, planning to produce a lightweight (10.9kg) titanium and carbon fibre e-bike in Urban or Adventure model formats.

It built the Ariel Ordinary (aka Penny Farthing) in 1871, hailing it the world’s first series production vehicle, and returns to bicycle manufacturing with the Dash after 92 years.

The Dash models have an in-frame battery with 80.4km range (up to 152.8km with battery range extender) , no visible hoses or cables, and a multi material frame made from 3D printed titanium, titanium tube, and carbon fibre (forks), a 250W and 55Nm Mahle hub motor, a “My Smartbike” app which integrates Dash functions, navigation, and performance log; and are priced in the UK from NZ$17,280 (8320 pounds) plus 20% value added tax (VAT) for goods and services.

Ariel says the Dash took five years’ research and development, intensive design and automotive-level engineering, and was developed by the same in-house Ariel team responsible for the Atom and Nomad cars, the Ace motorcycle and the Hipercar EV.

The Dash Urban is a city-focused road bike that uses single speed, belt-drive technology to deliver a simple and easy riding experience with a power-assisted range of up to 72.4km (45 miles), or 128.7km (80 miles) with the range extender, says Ariel.

“The Dash Adventure is a go-anywhere road/trail/gravel bike fitted with chain-drive and 12 gears to enable riders to tackle any terrain, delivering about (80.4km) 50 miles of power-assisted riding and (152.8km) 95 miles with the range extender.”

Ariel says the frame weighs 1.3kg and is made from a mix of titanium tube and carbon fibre with 3D-printed titanium nodes at every joint, hand-welded and chemically bonded.

“The Dash Urban and Dash Adventure both use Mahle powertrains, of different specification, with 250W rear hub motors, internally mounted 36-volt battery packs and the option of additional range extender batteries.”

Ariel says the Dash will be made to order for each individual customer and built alongside the Atom and Nomad cars at the Ariel factory in Crewkerne, Somerset.