Quadro Qooder MY2018: The link between two and four wheels [ROAD TEST]

Qooder MY2018 framework – Commuting or, to put it in Italian, commuting. Home-work commute and vice versa, in short. But also go out during the weekend without fear of finding yourself unprepared in the event of adverse weather conditions or worse, of running into irregularities in the road surface that could endanger our safety when we are driving a two-wheeled vehicle. After having subjected you to the tests of the most famous three-wheelers available on the market today, the time has come to thoroughly test the first four-wheel hybrid designed by Quadro Vehicles SA with the aim of combining "the stability of cars with the thrill of motorbikes".

Paolo Gagliardo – CEO of the company based in Vacallo in the Canton of Ticino – is proud to show the whole world the new creature, available on the international market since last June: “the Qooder is a trendy vehicle not only for car enthusiasts sector but also for those who want to experience safe but fun driving at the same time. It represents the right alternative to city mobility, to daily commuting and is ideal for rough roads full of potholes. And you drive with a B license."

In the modern mentality, the concept of a car is linked to the perception of safety but, at the same time, of greater stress when it comes to city traffic, the search for parking and the concentration required in heavy traffic situations. The alternative that we all know - scooters - are instead directly connected to that feeling of agility which, in certain situations, lead many drivers to carry out risky or risky maneuvers which can turn into unpleasant episodes if related to extraordinary events such as bad weather or road conditions. bad road surfaces. With a focus on safety without neglecting driving pleasure, Qooder turns out to be the link between two and four wheels; we need to guide it to really understand what we are talking about because the sensations it initially transmits are very particular and must be interpreted. However, as you gain confidence, you are struck by the safety that this vehicle conveys in all conditions of use.

Aesthetics and finishes:

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Futuristic design but the rear is not convincing

Originally there were two, then they became three and in the end we even reached four. Four wheels combined with a handlebar - quad aside - are not easy to interpret on a stylistic level. We need to work to ensure that the whole is harmonious but, at the same time, functional. Qooder captures attention with its futuristic shape and leaves people speechless when they observe it for the first time; the front is aggressive, with the generous light clusters which enliven the important shield above which there is a large plexiglass which protects the driver from air flows. The well-shaped shapes of the sides streamline the profile, lightening the line but, the rear view is not as satisfying: the "credit" goes to that huge rectangular red stop light which does not integrate well with the futuristic design of the Qooder, weighing down its look.

Certainly, working on such a particular and technically advanced vehicle on a dynamic level required the achievement of stylistic compromises that would allow the integration of the sophisticated mechanical parts with the aesthetic ones, giving life to a line that is nevertheless pleasing and certainly does not go unnoticed. The vehicle is well finished and the fit between the plastics is always satisfactory and well done; the details are taken care of and you can perceive it by looking at the front drawer with USB socket for charging the phone, the two-level saddle in resistant material and the passenger footrests with pressure opening.

The seat section intended for the passenger hides a compartment capable of hosting a jet helmet, documents and other small objects: if more space is needed, the accessories catalog offers the possibility of choosing a top case that drastically increases the load capacity. Very beautiful and easily readable, the instrumentation is designed to provide at a glance all the necessary information regarding speed, engine rpm, kilometers travelled, temperature and fuel level.

Engine and performance:

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Perfect balance from every point of view

Imprisoned in the center of the trellis frame is a 398,8cc single-cylinder engine capable of delivering 32,5hp at 7000 rpm with a torque peak of 38.5Nm at around 5000 rpm. Final drive occurs via two toothed belts to the rear wheels which are interconnected by a differential, just like on cars. There are no direct competitors with which we can carry out a comparison but, referring to the cubic capacity category, we can state that the single-cylinder has a truly brilliant temperament which allows it to move with agility in daily traffic without disdaining out-of-town trips where it is required. to give the maximum in terms of delivery and flexibility of use. We must always keep in mind that the Qooder is a four-wheeled vehicle and therefore the friction, the masses involved and the points of contact with the ground make it more challenging to manage on a mechanical level compared to a common two-wheeled scooter. Those who choose this fascinating vehicle produced by the Swiss company Quadro SA certainly don't do so for its performance but rather for the safety it can instill even just by looking at it; the engine does its job - and does it well - but don't expect breathtaking accelerations or infinite acceleration.

Ride and handling:

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Game changers!
Three letters. An international patent that allows this vehicle to perform exaggerated maneuvers in total safety even on irregular or slippery surfaces: HTS - acronym for Hydraulic Tilting System - represents Quadro SA's major investment in safety matters strictly related to driving pleasure. Explaining the functioning of this sophisticated system is not easy but just think of its ability to tilt like a two-wheeled vehicle ensuring that none of the four wheels ever lose contact with the ground to understand the sophistication of the system hidden behind Qooder . Basically there are three cylinders for each axis: a main one in the center of the system and two secondary cylinders paired with each swing arm. The central cylinder - equipped with an on/off valve on the head - is made up of high pressure oil and air while the lateral ones contain low pressure oil and air. They are connected to each other using aeronautical fittings and braided hoses which allow the oil and air to "compete" for the free space inside each cylinder, guaranteeing Qooder constant contact with the ground which will always make you feel safe and comfortable. the situation under control.

Dynamic steering exploits the principle of Ackermann geometry: the wheel outside the curve, which travels through an arc of a larger radius, steers less than the one inside the curve, which travels through an arc of a smaller radius. The average angle between the two rays is called the “Ackermann angle”. This technology, born at the dawn of mechanics, is applied to the world of cars, so much so that reference is made to the Ackermann quadrilateral when one wants to apply different curve angles to the wheels with the aim of avoiding excessive slipping of the tire inside the curved compared to the external one. To obtain this specific bending technique, it is necessary to act on the steering arms and on the steering axis attachment in order to obtain the different desired radii.

To simplify the technicality you need to get on the saddle, grip the handlebars, unlock the parking lever and set off decisively to understand what this extraordinary vehicle is capable of doing. As we said in the previous paragraph, the engine pushes well and allows Qooder to move easily in the urban jungle; when the time comes to take to the bend for the first time, it really only takes a moment to understand that physicality is needed to drive the vehicle. Once you get in tune with the HTS and gain the right amount of confidence, everything becomes simpler: the inclination limit never seems to arrive and the hydraulic suspensions absorb any type of roughness that comes your way. There are no potholes, manholes, roots, cobblestones or tram tracks that can hold up... the four wheels move independently with a disarming regularity, transmitting the wonderful sensation of always traveling on impeccable roads. Changes in direction are not immediate and require commitment but, once you get the hang of it, they become gestures of ordinary administration. Even in tight mixed terrain Qooder performs admirably, allowing unthinkable lean angles for the speeds at which it travels. It doesn't take much to get the hang of it but, once you understand the dynamics of entering, navigating and exiting corners, everything will be easier and - above all - safe.

When the time comes to stop the almost 300kg vehicle in running order, the four 240mm disc brakes are called upon to guarantee safe braking thanks to the AWBS (ALL Wheels Braking System) which is activated by pulling the brake lever. left and which acts on all four grippers; the right lever, however, only acts on the front wheels and you can also rely on the brake pedal positioned on the right footrest. When the vehicle is about to stop, just keep the left lever pulled to keep the vehicle in balance without having to operate the red parking handle.

There are no electronic controls of any kind but for our part we believe that, in 2019 and especially given a list price that is anything but cheap, the lack of ABS (even as an optional!) goes against the trend with the standards of safety on which the Swiss company has concentrated the development of Qooder.
The riding position does not present any kind of fatigue even after traveling a long way: riding takes place in total relaxation, thanks to the trust in the HTS system which transforms every bump into a peaceful health walk.

Price and consumption:

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Technology at a high price

Raw Black (like the sample being tested), Ceresio Blue, Titanium Gray and Swiss Red are the colors available for the Qooder: they share a list price of €11.490. To have a more complete set of equipment that allows you to tackle much longer journeys and with a little more luggage, you can think of the Steinbock Special Limited Edition, on sale at €12.690 fc
On the manufacturer's website there is a section dedicated to accessories specifically designed for the brand new Quadro four-wheeler: top cases developed in collaboration with GIVI, leg cover by Tucano, deflectors to reduce the impact of air flows, passive safety systems and details to embellish its aesthetics will allow each future buyer to customize their vehicle at their own discretion. And it is good to pay attention to details because the limits of use of Qooder are almost infinite, thanks also to a large 14-litre tank which allows the vehicle to travel more than 200km without having to worry about stopping at the petrol station. The declared consumption is equal to 5,3l/100km but it doesn't take long to exceed that value especially when you become familiar with the vehicle; the safety it is able to instill will lead you to turn the throttle knob more and more often, consequently increasing consumption which - in any case - will never be such as to make you regret having purchased a cutting-edge vehicle, capable of making you always feel in control of the situation.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Safety
Maneuverability
Driving with B license

We do not like it:
Lack of ABS (also as optional)
Reduced load compartment

Qooder framework: the Motorionline report card

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Handling:
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Tester clothing:
Gloves: Tucano Urbano New Calamaro
Jacket: Tucano Urbano Urbis Limited
Helmet: LS2 Valiant