Archivi Blog
Brammo Empulse and Empulse R finally unveiled: 100-mph speeds and raised prices
Brammo has suffered some major setbacks in getting its latest Empulse electric motorcycle to market, but the company has stuck to its revised launch date: it unveiled the 2013 model last night. The key specs haven’t changed during the delay — we’re still looking at a six-speed gearbox, a max speed of 100 mph and a fast-recharge time of 3.5 hours — but the price has jumped from $14,000 to $16,995. There’s also the Empluse R, a more premium model that will go on sale for $18,995 in June. The main difference between the base model and the R is the material: the Empulse has a plastic body, while the R uses carbon fiber. Check out the full presser below the break — and if you’re holding out for the 2013 Empulse, the gallery pics of the R will have to tide you over till the base model launches early next year.
Evolve Motorcycles shows off $50k Xenon lightcycle, Lithium electric streetbike
This year’s Milan International Motorcycle Show is definitely featuring a healthy assortment of battery-powered two wheeled machines, and now Evolve Motorcycles has two more plug-in designs to add to the list. First up is its Xenon, aka the Tron Lightcycle replica, which is a real bike that you can purchase 32-inch hubless rims, OLED light tape and all for $50,000. It’s even claiming a top speed of 100mph with a 100 mile range on its custom lithium ion battery system, so all you have left to do is regret not grabbing one for $35k on eBay last year. The Lithium however, chooses to keep things more conventional as a streetfighter concept built around a 54hp electric motor that is expected to cost around $20,000 when it actually goes on sale. Check after the break for a pic of the Lithium, or head over to our friends at Autoblog Green for a gallery full of eyecandy featuring both bikes.
BMW unveils concept Husqvarna electric motorcycle
There just aren’t enough electric motorcycles in the world at this point, so thank goodness BMW just introduced a new one into the world. It’s a slinky thing, with a single front fork and a spindly rear swingarm, two features that don’t make it look particularly trail-ready — despite the Husqvarna branding. (BMW bought Husqvarna back in 2007.) But, it does look a little more off-roadable than the electric scooter concept BMW also unveiled. No further details about range, speed, or indeed likelihood of production are available for either, but there are more pics of both in the gallery below.
Brammo delays flagship Empulse electric motobike to 2012, teases new transmission tech
Bad news for Brammo’s electric bikers: according to Asphalt and Rubber, word has it that the company’s flagship Empulse motorbike will now be delayed to 2012, citing CEO Craig Bramscher’s decision to integrate a certain new technology before launch. What could this be? Well, the site speculates that this has something to do with the six-speed Integrated Electric Transmission (IET) that Brammo recently licensed from Italian firm S.M.R.E., and this technology’s already featured on the company’s Engage and Encite dirt bikes announced last week. That said, there’s also a rumor that Brammo didn’t reach its pre-order goal of 1,000 units, which would certainly make sense for the company to delay the launch to pimp up its 100mph ride. We asked the Stig for a comment, and he wasn’t impressed.
Amarok's P1 electric motorocycle prototype is fast, light, and ready to race
What’s fast, electric, and made in Canada? No, not the latest Rush record, it’s the P1, a new electric motorcycle prototype from Quebec-based Amarok Consultants. The company — named after the Inuit word for wolf — unveiled the bike this week, announcing plans to enter it in this year’s TTXGP, an international racing series for electric vehicles. The 75 horsepower two-wheeler was designed with a laser-focus on lightweight construction, squeezing a 7.5-kilowatt-hour battery and two Agni 95 electric motors into a bantam 325 pound body — making for one of the lightest electric racing motorcycles around. The company’s not stopping there, however, shooting for 275 pounds for the second generation of the bike, putting it more on-par with gas-powered counterparts.
