James Rizzi and Car Visionary Frank M. Rinderknecht join forces:

Contemporary Pop-Art Meets Lifestyle Concept Car “BamBoo”

For the 33rd anniversary of Swiss concept car creator Rinspeed at the Geneva Motor Show founder Frank M. Rinderknecht - as usual - came up with something highly unusual:  A special dose of creativity from world metropolis New York City gives both the stand and Rinspeed’s latest concept car creation “BamBoo” a special touch, courtesy of indefatigable contemporary pop artist James Rizzi. The inflatable roof of the “BamBoo” is decorated with a hand painted Rizzi beach scene.  His unique icon - the Rizzi bird - is also a must: It is attached to the “BamBoo’s” roll bar and can change color to communicate the occupants’ mood to the outside world - green could stand for “I feel like meeting new people. Where is the next party?”

The “BamBoo” is the only true lifestyle vehicle with electric drive. It doesn’t only offer pure pleasure for the eyes, but let’s its occupants breathe the intoxicating lavender aromas of the south, the salty breezes of the beach and the sweet resinous fragrances of the pine forests in almost noiseless travel. “BamBoo” represents sheer joy of life, without remorse. Rinderknecht: We were inspired by nature and have designed it for connoisseurs who aim to set themselves apart more with less - being different, living differently, enjoying differently. Naturally different.

If its creators get their wish the “BamBoo” will not remain a one-off but will enter into series production either as an electric or conventionally powered version. It will find its way to car rental locations and into the hands of vacation home occupants around the globe, wherever the sun shines brightly: from the Mediterranean to the Middle East, to Thailand, the Caribbean and to Florida. Purely Saint Tropez.

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Car Visionary Rinderknecht‘s Focus at the Geneva Motor Show 2011 is on Back to the Roots:

“BamBoo” - the Pure Roots of Mobility

The names of the concept cars from Swiss car visionary Frank M. Rinderknecht are more than marketing-driven slick onomatopoeia that polls well with focus groups. At Rinspeed names often have a deeper meaning.  That is also true for the latest creation from Rinderknecht. “BamBoo” is the name of his latest ‘baby’ that resembles a grown-up golf cart and is bound to evoke plenty of admiration at the next Geneva Motor Show which runs from March 3^rd through 13^th, 2011.

Nomen est omen - the name says it all - is immediately apparent: Many interior components are made from bamboo fibers. But the four-seater “BamBoo” takes it to a whole new level - to the Meta level so to speak: This open-top vehicle awakens the longing for sun, summer, for lightness and easiness, the desire to be at the beach. It is a reminiscence of the Seventies, of the south of France and St. Tropez. And one would expect to find Brigitte Bardot behind the wheel with playboy Gunther Sachs at her side heading towards Tahiti beach..

Anyone who might think that this is simple retro design for nostalgia’s sake underestimates the boss of the Swiss concept powerhouse. Yes, Rinderknecht incorporates the automobile references of the time. But he doesn’t leave it at that. He reinterprets them and evolves them into the future. And he focuses in them the yearning to get back to the roots, paired with the absolute desire to be in harmony with creation. That makes electric drive, also for the onboard foldable two wheeler for the last “mile”, a must.

Anyone not blinded by horsepower orgies, chrome tinsel and top-speed frenzy should take a closer look. “BamBoo” pushes the ‘reset’ button, clears the mind for a new way of thinking. It sports simple, clean lines. No bells, no whistles.  Nothing is superfluous. Plain aesthetics in their purest form. As stated before and even in a figurative sense: Nomen est omen. Simply bamboo.