The Solex 3800 moped is as characteristically French as baguettes and berets, but it's taken the famous Italian automotive design company Pininfarina to 'reimagine' the classic 3800 for the world of tomorrow. The new prototype e-Solex bears a striking family resemblance to the classic Solex 3800 of the 1960s, but has an electric motor in place of the old petrol engine.

It can manage 35kph and its battery can motor you along for 30km or so, with an optional secondary battery giving it even longer range. The e-Solex was shown off at the international two-wheel show in Paris in October 2005, and it's not yet known whether it will go into full production. If it does, we could see a resurgence of mopeds on our streets - although this time around they'll lack the characteristic buzz of their wee engines.