The Yamaha TRICERA three-wheel open-top electric autocycle we saw two years ago is no longer a concept. It is now a prototype, referred to as TRICERA Proto (stylized as “proto”), and it will make its first appearance at this year’s edition of the Japan Mobility Show, along with the MOTOROiD:Λ, and several other exciting rides.
This isn’t just Yamaha sticking another wheel on a motorcycle and calling it a day. Like, duh. This is Yamaha we are talking about. Of course, it has some neat tricks up its wheel arches. The TRICERA proto is essentially Yamaha’s shot at redefining what three wheels should feel like.
It comes with a three-wheel steering system (3WS) that lets all wheels play a part in the cornering game. Instead of the usual lean-and-pray strategy, you get sharp cornering, mid-corner stability, and a steering sensation that Yamaha says is fun to master. Translation: it may be the only “learning curve” that actually rewards you for overcooking a turn.
Then there’s the αlive AD sound control device. Yes, Yamaha knows EVs can be whisper-quiet to the point of sounding like a golf cart, so it gave the TRICERA proto an audio party trick that tweaks the electric motor’s soundtrack. The goal is to make the whole driving experience more thrilling, pulling the driver deeper into the moment instead of silently questioning why their car sounds like an air purifier.
Design-wise, Yamaha kept things dramatic. The arching center frame highlights the three-wheel setup, while the contrast between the “human space” (that’s where you sit) and the “functional space” (that’s where the tech magic happens) makes it stand out as more than just a science-fair project.
Specs and pricing are still to be announced, but the TRICERA proto is proof that Yamaha is serious about making the oddball three-wheel format not only viable but also cool. And if you ask me, strapping yourself into an open-top electric trike that actually wants you to enjoy learning how to tame it sounds like a wild ride worth waiting for. It is kind of like the wilder version of the Morgan Motor three-wheeler in both looks and tech, if you ask me.
Images: Yamaha Motor.
