After three decades of inactivity, one of Britain's most famous motorcycle names is to be revived.
Ariel, builders of such awesome icons as the Red Hunter and the Square Four, have reconsidered their final, much-reviled model, the Ariel Three three-wheeled moped, and decided that they will follow in the commuter scooter footsteps of the major moped manufacturers, but with the innovation of using a high-efficiency electric motor to give similar power characteristics to a 20bhp internal combustion engine.
Battery research has been conducted by Yuasa, whose active regulation acid fluoride advanced technology power cell will enable quick recharging and extremely efficient power storage.
A final deal to enable the scooter to go into production has been held up slightly due to a disagreement over property, but once that has been sorted out, expect to see the Ariel Sharon, powered by the Yuasa ARAFAT, running around the streets of London.
A rumoured one-make race series in the US has aroused interest in the works Ducati team, Intifada, who are looking forward to competing for the championship prize of a Volkswagen Rabbi.