[motorcycle.com] - Yamaha Sports Ride Concept

[Ninjette Newsbot]

Leave it to a motorcycle manufacturer to create a car that moto enthusiasts can appreciate! The Yamaha Sports Ride Concept is a lightweight little two-seater with supercar proportions, engineered with a carbon-fiber chassis to keep weight to just 1,650 lbs.

Key to the concept is the iStream manufacturing process developed by Gordon Murray Design. (Murray is the former McLaren engineer who developed the iconic McLaren F1 road car from the 1990s.) The iStream Manufacturing System, first seen in Yamaha’s commuter car concept from 2013, the MOTIV, here trades glass fibers for carbon fiber to further reduce weight.

Yamaha and GMD claim iStream makes it possible to build a range of variations based on this one platform, from urban commuter cars to sports cars and SUVs.


GMD says iStream Carbon is the world’s first affordable high-volume carbon-fiber chassis structure and sets new standards in the automotive industry for chassis light-weighting, rigidity and safety. Yamaha and GMD claim iStream makes it possible to build a range of variations based on this one platform, from urban commuter cars to sports cars and SUVs.

Details are thus far scarce, but Yamaha did release its most basic measurements. Its length (153.5 in.) and width (67.7 in.) are very close to the dimensions of Mazda’s MX-5 Miata, but it’s roughly 2.5 in. lower at 46 inches. If its stated weight is to be believed, the Yamaha will scale in with 1,100 to 1,300 fewer pounds than a Miata.

Did you ever think you’d see the Yamaha logo on a car?


The key missing piece of the equation is the engine that would power such a vehicle, the proportions indicating a mid-engine layout. Yamaha has previously co-developed engines with Toyota and Ford, but there was no mention of the Sports Ride’s engine from the car’s unveiling at the Tokyo Motor Show. So, for now, allow us to dream of a 2.0-liter V-8 based upon the cylinder banks from Yamaha’s R1 mated to a common crankcase. Somewhere around 300 hp would do nicely!

Yamaha says the design concept “takes a uniquely Yamaha approach by putting the involved and active feeling of riding a motorcycle, or “Live and Ride,” into a vehicle with quintessential sports car proportions that adults can enjoy in daily use. Like the MOTIV, it employs the iStream process and is designed to express a driver-machine relationship close in feeling to the world of motorcycle riding. We devoted much attention to the high-quality details and were inspired by the artistic style of Elementarism in designing this proposal for a sports car.”

Now all that’s left is to wait to see whether this is a dead-end concept or one that eventually makes its way into production. Would you buy a Yamaha sports car like this?

Yamaha Sports Ride Concept appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.



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[psych0hans]

Don't hold your breath

[Ducati999]

Originally Posted by psych0hans

Don't hold your breath

I like the look and idea but by the time it could meet American safety and emission standards the 1,650lbs would be more like 2200 and the 300 Hp would end up south of 200. There is not even a bumper on the front and I dont see any way of keeping the "style" of the car and adding in a bumper.

[choneofakind]

Unless you're able to register it as a "kit" as in, "I have to put this kit car together. Somehow I have to get the key stuck in the ignition and turned."

[Suki2003]

it reminds me of a mini pagani huayra... and I love those. This would be great to see in production.