Vintage Electric comes out with its more efficient and powerful e-bike, the 2016 Tracker

Vintage Electric is upgrading their line of e-bikes with their refreshed version of the E-Tracker, now called the Tracker. The new line now has increased speed and performance.

Andrew Davidge, Vintage Electric's founder and lead designer, boats that the new 2016 Tracker now has 15% greater efficiency, 20% more torque, and now comes with a self-diagnostics feature for ease of maintenance, adding significant upgrades to their E-Tracker, first released in August 2013.

The increase in efficiency refers to the new larger 700-watt-hour battery that can run the aluminum tank frame for 35 miles, with a top speed of 36mph, and can recharge in two hours. The increase in speed also brings along an upgrade in stopping power with the bike now equipped with more powerful Shimano Alfine hydraulic brakes.

The design aesthetics aren't forgotten in the update either. Keeping the body elements from the 2015 version of the bike, the new elements like the stainless steel accents, machine finished billet aluminum, and pewter badging, still evoke graphic inspiration from the board-track motorcycles of the 1990's. The seat, grips, and frame guards are also covered with Brooks leather, adding further sophistication to the design.

It must be noted that the 36mph top speed doesn't come with the bike as standard. Interested customers must pay an additional $149 for "Race Mode" which adds a 3,000 watt rear hub motor to accelerate the bike to 36 mph. Per US regulations Race Mode is only meant for off road use.

There are four colors available, Indian Red, Racing Green, Excelsior Blue, and Slate Gray. For an additional $599, you can get the bike custom painted as well. Each bike also comes with what Vintage Electronics call "Regenerative Braking" allowing the rider to recharge the battery with a push of the button when decelerating.

They also debuted an update to their other bike, the Cruz in April 2015. Whereas the Tracker's design leaned more towards a motorcycle influence, the Cruz's design go towards a more California beach cruiser influence.

Both the Tracker and the Cruz offer a stylish, environmentally friendly ride to those who can afford it. At almost $5,000 the base model is already out of the reach of most bicyclists, but as Engadget states, "...so long as it handles as nicely as it looks, you may find yourself looking for excuses to go riding."

The Silicon Valley company first came out with their beautiful retro bikes in 2013. They have also collaborated with Los Angeles automaker Icon to help create their 50 bike run of the E-Flyer in 2014.