Triumph TE-1 prototype
Every serious motorcycle company on the planet is pouring resources into the development of electric bikes at the moment, in the knowledge that a combination of legislation and environmental pressure will spell the end for the combustion engine in the foreseeable future. Most are keeping their developments under wraps, but Triumph has taken a more open approach with regular updates on the development of its TE-1 prototype.
Phase 1 saw Triumph join forces with Williams Advanced Engineering (of Formula 1 fame), responsible for the battery development, Integral Powertrain for the electric motor, and WMG at the University of Warwick in central England for testing and simulation.
Phase 2 saw the collaborators reveal a finished powertrain and battery mounted in a prototype frame, along with a design image of what the complete bike would look like. Now phase 3 is complete, and with it the entire initial prototype has been completed and is headed for phase 4 testing.
Triumph has completed the frame, subframe, cockpit, bodywork and the transmission, complete with a carbon belt final drive, and added Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes to the mix along with Triumph's own control software for the chassis side of the bike.
Williams has made a prototype of its final battery design, complete with DC-DC converter, control unit, cooling and charging equipment, as well as carbon fibre covers to suit the bike's styling. Integral Powertrain has completed its prototype motor and inverter, with integrated cooling in a 10 kg package capable of making close to 180 hp for brief periods and a continual output of around 120 hp. Finally, WMG has completed simulations and rig testing, leaving a bike that's now ready to hit the rolling road and then the test track.
Triumph CEO Nick Bloor said: "It has been truly exciting to see the progress made during phase 3 of Project Triumph TE 1, with the final prototype motorcycle now going into real life testing.
"We look forward to continuing the ambitious and innovative work on the TE-1 demonstrator prototype through the live testing phase and sharing the outcome with Triumph fans across the world."
