No idea what's different about the motor, but the line drawing shows the battery inside the downtube, as opposed to the usual position behind it. Is that possible only because an 8ah is smaller? is the shorter wheelbase likely to be better?
I think the partnership have been doing their market research diligently and realised that many don't like the lengthened appearance of e-bikes with rear of seat tube battery, which also compromises the geometry. Longer wheelbases don't affect riding much, the steering is slightly "slower", i.e. the bike is not quite so instantly responsive into corners, but that only effects riding at the extreme limits.
In frame batteries can be larger as well, the Panasonic 10 Ah one will easily go within an average frame, and both BionX and Izip have long used in-frame batteries.
What interests me is that they say they are sensing pedalling speed as well as the speed and pedal force that the Panasonic system measures. This makes it possible that a rider might have some control on cadence. Most importantly, the power phasedown isn't likely to be as early as the Japanese systems which are influenced by their strict laws.
Anyway, competition is good, and with Yamaha and now Bosch going the Panasonic route it widens our choice. Like Tex, I can't wait to see the outcome of the partnership of two such highly regarded companies, it could be rather special.
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