The EK Is Perhaps the World’s Most Alien-Looking EV, the Yeezy of Electric Golf Carts
There is no shortage of creativity in the automotive world, but this one is for all those who might have felt at times that there was room for a bit more oomph in the urban mobility sector. After all, who’s to say you can’t have oomph with a vehicle focused solely on functionality?
Not even the world’s most famous golf cart is as futuristic and awesome-looking as this electric vehicle, and that’s saying a lot because that one belonged to none other than The Queen. The EK, introduced at the end of last month, is the current holder of the crown for the sleekest and most intriguing EV designed exclusively for urban mobility.
The EK is a collaboration between AZULIK Real Estate and fabrication studio Roth FabLab, manufactured in Quintana Roo, Mexico, for exclusive use in the upcoming AZULIK Basin development in Tulum, Mexico.
Photo: AZULIK Real Estate
It comes with a design inspired by the organic shapes in nature and architecture, which translates into the most surprising and elegant curves you’ve ever seen on a golf cart. Perhaps better, the EK also places a heavy focus on sustainability, a reduced carbon footprint, comfort, and luxury.
With a fully electric drivetrain, it’s designed to connect areas of the new residential project while ferrying guests in total comfort and offering them the chance to take in the most of the surrounding views.
If you look behind the fancy words, you will see that the EK is a glorified golf cart. It’s as fast as any other – far uglier – golf cart and it’s not even particularly impressive for the estimated range. If you also consider the fact that most estimates for electric vehicles are, at best, wishful thinking undone by real-life conditions, the 100 km (62 km) the EK promises are even less impressive.
Photo: AZULIK Real Estate
But credit should be given where credit is due: the EK is beautiful. At the very least, if you don’t find it beautiful, you will agree that it’s different and, just as importantly, proud to be so. Moreover, for the purpose for which it’s been built, the range and every other feature should be more than enough.
The body is fiberglass painted with automotive paint, while the interior is waterproof nautical fabric that looks as luxurious as the finest of fine leathers. Wood accents – locally and responsibly sourced zapote wood, renowned for its durability – add an extra touch of sophistication, while a digital cockpit brings the vehicle into the modern age.
The EK is a three seater and seemingly a three-wheeler as well. It has two rear seats facing forward for the resort guests and a driver that sits behind the wood yoke-like steering wheel. The seats seem to be half if not entirely reclined, which makes little sense from a purely practical perspective: from what we can tell, the guests would be reclining in their fancy seats, with their feet close to or maybe even touching the driver.
Photo: AZULIK Real Estate
A central console made of wood upholstered in the same fabric as the seats holds two cup holders and offers some space for a phone, as well as wireless charging. Also here is a space humidifier, which seems a very strange choice considering that the entire vehicle is open, without as much as pretend doors or covers.
The official description of the EK notes that certain parts are 3D printed but doesn’t go into detail to say which. However, that would make production easier, should this alien-looking EV get to that stage.
The features list includes a reverse camera display and a digital tachometer, as well as buttons for electric ignition and lights made out of the same zapote wood. Power comes from a 2,200W motor capable of maxing out at 40 kph (25 mph) and fed by a battery that will deliver an estimated 100 km (62 miles) per charge. It takes eight hours to achieve a full charge.
Photo: AZULIK Real Estate
If you find that not too impressive, remember: for a glorified golf cart, the EK does what it’s supposed to do. The most important part is that it does it while offering the kind of design you’re not likely to find at any other resort, and that’s a win.
AZULIK Real Estate says that the EK exists as a single prototype for the time being but that they plan to build more if real-life tests with the prototype are successful. Even if they don’t, the EK has probably recouped whatever budget it required to build in media attention, by merely existing. Like a true Yeezy product, the EK is quite the attention magnet.
