Kawasaki, a brand synonymous with speed, freedom, and innovative design, has taken another giant step forward with their latest motorcycle. The legendary motorcycle manufacturer recently unveiled Corleo, a ‘bike’ whose inspiration comes from the animal kingdom.
Designed to look like a horse, Corleo is unlike anything currently on the market. With a saddle-like seat paired with modern navigation and engine features, Corleo draws on human history and humanity’s future. Powered by a 150cc hydrogen engine, through the use of canisters, the Corleo is also able to generate electricity through “the drive units installed in each of the four legs,” says Kawasaki.
Equestrian inspiration
The company has released videos of users mounting a Corleo, and though the movements don’t mirror those of a horse, there is something animalistic about the way the ‘limbs’ move. The machine features hooves that appear to provide a clip-clop sound that many might associate with equestrian or bovine species. The inspiration the designers found from horses is clear, with the manufacturer pointing out how the "hooves can adapt to various terrains, including grasslands, rocky areas, and rubble fields." Though Kawasaki didn’t outfit their latest design with a tail, the bike’s rear is one of the features that most resembles a horse.
What sort of navigation system does the Corleo have?
Unlike our ancestors, who used horses as their primary means of transportation, those on the Corleo will have access to an advanced navigation system. Kawasaki says each Corleo will be "equipped with an instrument panel that displays hydrogen level, route to the summit, center of gravity position, and other information.“ For night rides, the Corleo will be able to project an illuminated path on the road to ensure a rider stays on their route.
How much does Corelo cost?
Corleo will not be available for sale for some time, as the design is still in a conceptual phase of production. The product was unveiled at the Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, earlier this year as what the company describes as a “concept model for 2050.” Rather than a product the company will quickly work to produce, Corleo is an innovative project to begin thinking about ways people could be moving around decades from now.