Italian maestros Bianchi have expanded their Life-E range once again with the launch of their e-SUV - an "electric sports utility vehicle" with built-in lights, an internal cooling system and one-piece carbon handlebar on the top-end version.
Bianchi launch huge new e-bike range
The whole frame and rear triangle are all carbon, and each model (there are three) comes with a 720 Wh battery. The battery cover on the downtube doubles up as an airflow system for cooling things down.
Bianchi have specced the Shimano STEPS E8000 mid-motor, and the frame design also accommodates mudguards on the downtube battery cover as well as the front and rear; the mudguards are integrated into the frameset rather than being separate parts, a theme prevalent on the e-SUV bikes. The lights, developed with Spanish brand Spanninga, are integrated at the front and rear with rear lighting either side of the seatstays and a front beam built into the headtube.
The three versions are the Adventure, with SRAM's 12-speed Eagle groupset, the Rally, with Shimano's XTR 12-speed shifting, and the top-of-the-range Racer with XTR and the integrated carbon handlebars; the Racer will cost upwards of $10,000. All models have 150mm of rear suspension travel.
All three are expected to hit stores in March 2020; check out the Bianchi website for a list of UK dealers.
