ZAGATO’S 1992 FIAT BICYCLE CARRIER DASH STROKE TANDEM CAR IS JUST PLAIN… ODD? OR COOL?

How about a car that is a bike carrier but still a car, but, has a bike on the side of it and yeah, I’m confused too.

Well, that is what Italian coach builder Zagato went and built in the early 90s, and here it is:

I’ll let the writer from Archivioprototipi explain:

‘1992 Fiat Cinquecento Z-ECO concept by Carrozzeria Zagato with built in bike pod.

‘The theme of the Fiat proposal was to explore new concepts of mobility, dictated by environmental issues and by the growing restrictions on the use of cars in urban centers. Zagato proposes the concept of double mobility, with the Z-Eco it goes beyond the simple transport of people and luggage. The small car adds the possibility of having a second means of transport, to be used in areas where access to the car is prohibited. The solution is that of an electric bike that occupies the right side, ready both for use in the city and for leisure in the open spaces.

‘The Z-Eco was Zagato’s vision of an environmentally conscious commuter vehicle of the future. It featured an odd tandem two seat layout and a removable bicycle. This would allow the driver of the vehicle to park when congestion was reached and cycle the remainder of their journey, reducing gridlock, emissions and parking shortages in city centres. Despite the brutal angular styling (typical for Zagato – the Lancia Hyena debuted the same year), the concept still has relevance and merit today.’

The question is… would you drive it?

Author: Lee Rodgers

Cycling coach, race organiser, former professional cyclist and the original CrankPunk.

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