ACE CAFE : Flat Track Day

Electric Shock: The Icon E-Flyer bicycle

This retro beauty is the Icon E-Flyer, an electrically powered bicycle inspired by the hairy-chested board racers that were seen careering around oval ‘Murderdromes’ throughout America in the early 20th Century…

Developed by Icon in collaboration with Vintage Electric in California, the chic cycle aims to capture the classic elegance of the American board track racers that raced at the very dawn of the motorcycle age. Don’t be fooled by the vintage styling, though; the E-Flyer is crammed with state-of-the-art technology.

The ultimate in retro-cool, each example is hand-built around a hydroformed aluminium frame and finished in a stylish powder-grey. Features include billet aluminium and steel forks, Avid disc brakes, an LED headlight and an ultra-cool leather saddle, hand-stitched by Brooks England Ltd. And that’s before you get to the trick EV system.

Power comes from either the person pedalling, or a 3,500-watt brushless DC hub motor, itself deriving power from a 52-volt battery, aided by clever regenerative braking and fully charged in just two hours. In street-legal mode, 750 watts from the motor allow up to 20mph for 35 miles (more than enough to hold your own on the morning commute), while race mode unleashes the full 3,500 watts, propelling the bike up to 36mph; perfect if you find you have an abundance of old wooden boarding and several friends to race against. And you certainly won’t be late for work astride the quickest electric bike on the market.

The E-Flyer’s versatility means it’ll be right at home wherever you take it – be it cruising nonchalantly along a riverside path, or powering along a winding mountain road. Just 50 examples are being planned, priced at $4995, and you should strike quickly because, as Icon puts it, they will not be around for long.

For more information visit www.Iconelectricbike.com.

KTM Freeride takes Beemers on a challenging adventure

Never trust an Englishman on a KTM350 Freeride when he says a trail is easy and you're on big adventure bike.

Bonhams announces single-marque auction at Mercedes-Benz Museum

Building on not only the success of the Aston Martin Works auctions in Newport Pagnell, but also last year’s record sale of the W196, Bonhams has announced a single-marque sale that will take place at the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart on 12 July 2014…

With a lotlist set to feature no fewer than 40 important cars from the illustrious marque’s back catalogue (further consignments are still invited), the newly announced sale forms the latest chapter in a so-far highly successful partnership between the British auction house and Mercedes-Benz Classic. Having worked together closely since the early 1990s, the pair joined forces last year to achieve the World Record sum of £19.6m paid for the ex-Fangio Mercedes-Benz W196 GP car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The collaborative auction will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, on 12 July 2014. Classic Driver will preview the sale closer to the time.

In the meantime, you can find hundreds of classic Mercedes in the Classic Driver Market.