Mission Motors Intros The World’s Fastest Production Electric Motorcycle
Mission Motors, an electric vehicle start-up from San Francisco, has chosen TED 2009 “The Great Unveiling,” as the venue to introduce itself, and it’s first production vehicle, to the world.
The all-electric Mission One sportbike promises a top speed of 150 mph and a 150 mile range — rivaling the stats of gasoline powered sportbikes. Additionally, the bike features a recharge time of less than 2 hours using a 240v outlet. It’s currently scheduled for delivery in 2010.
Aimed at the high-end/luxury market, the company states it is the “first production electric sportbike that features uncompromised performance and an iconic new design.” With a design by the legendary Yves Béhar of fuseproject, indeed, the Mission One is a gorgeous beast.
More images after the break…
- » See also: Is the Renault-Nissan Alliance Going in Two Different Electric Car Directions?
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Mission Motors founders, Forrest North, Edward West and Mason Cabot, have developed a proprietary high energy lithium ion battery pack specifically for the Mission One. The bike’s electric motor has a linear torque curve that provides peak torque all the way from zero rpm to top speed, a feature gasoline engines can’t match. The motor also delivers faster acceleration than most gasoline sportbikes without ever having to shift gears.
With the mantra of providing total control to the driver, the Mission One features adjustable throttle maps, adjustable regenerative breaking, and ride data acquisition wirelessly linked to your computer. These are features that were in the past only available for the Moto GP circuit. With the Mission One, drivers are now able to control the way their vehicle behaves with unprecedented sensitivity for a production vehicle.
Very clearly, Mission Motors is using the same business strategy that Tesla Motors has used to create and dominate the luxury eco-sportscar arena with their Roadster — that is to say, start with the high-end luxury group and make some money, then introduce vehicles that are more affordable later on. While this strategy has had mixed results for Tesla due mostly to the faltering economy, we’ll see how Mission Motors fares.
“As a motorcycle enthusiast and engineer I knew I could combine my passion for motorcycles with my passion for innovation and create a motorcycle that truly sets a new standard in the perception of electric vehicles,” said Forrest North, Founder and CEO, Mission Motors. “With the Mission One, we’re writing the next chapter in motorcycle design, delivering a new riding experience without sacrificing performance or design in a zero emissions vehicle.”
Image Credits: Mission Motors
Source: Press release via email
That will not sell, simply on the grounds that it is
tragically ugly. Fascinating modern design elements
aside, it is as as soulful as an expensive blender.
I am always fascinated as to how some smart
industrial designers can take beautiful and
modern design elements, and combine them into something tragically ugly.
That bike looks like a moving industrial building. Like a cross between the Guggenheim and Federation Square
(for those of you who’ve never been to Melbourne, here’s Federation Square) :
http://pix.alaporte.net/pub/d/15234-1/Federation+Square+Building+2.JPG
Rule #1 of selling motorcycles: it must inspire the soul’s desire, either through an impression of performance/speed/beauty, or an impression of
lifestyle/image etc.
Or to put it another way, good-looking bikes sell, whether it’s fast-good or tough-good.
I also hate it when designers “cheat” and make a bike
look pretty in their concepts, while ignoring the
need for indicators, mudflaps, etc. That results in
us riding bikes with indicators and mudflaps that are
ugly afterthoughts. And those mirrors would show
a fantastic view of the rider’s forearms, but
nothing else. LAZY useless design. Sure, make it
beautiful, but make it work also!
I would love to have one of these things but $68,000 is just a bit too much for me by about $60,000
“Although your bike gets a bit better range and top speed, there are surely many sport bikes that have a 150 mile range and a top speed of 150 mph.”
Most sportbikes that have a top speed of only 150mph have a range closer to 350 miles.
I think what would really sell these things, are direct comparisons between the price of operation.
Pick a city, look at gasoline prices, and electricity prices, then tell me how much it costs to go 100 miles at a range of speeds.
I’d also like to know about the maintenance schedule and cost of replacement parts. If this is a production motorcycle, I’m sure all this data is available somewhere.
Holy crap!! 68,000!!! Really? For just a little more you can have a nearly full race MotoGP bike with 230hp and a top speed of 215mph.
68K is the announced price of the Limited Edition model that will be out first. The Limited Edition will only be produced in a run of 50 bikes. The price of the actual production model hasn’t been announced yet.
This is a very interesting article. I see everyone’s point of view on this one. I agree with ghost and hotcam about the performance and looks. As far as the looks go, i agree completely about concepts not including indicators. However, it can be very tough to design a familiar looking machine with a whole new heart. As far as performance goes, I agree with ghost when it comes to the mileage. 150 is not bad, however it makes it tough to go on long trips or rides. Even if bikes today only had a 150 mile range 2 minutes at a gas station and your ready to roll again. I understand this is a very positive movement for the technology and thing its a great machine. I’m just saying that there are still limitations that could use work. I do love the instant power response and all torque all the time. It would certainly make for a killer ride. I really look forward to see what comes of this and other electric vehicle technology. Im all about going green, however in reality it must have more practicality and cost effectiveness. At 68k I would not see myself buying this bike. Even if I was given 68K to spend on a toy and could only spend it on a toy I think I would have to spend it on an Ariel Atom. Its not a motorcycle but its a hell of a lot of machine for the same price with a whole lot of fun. Basically a mini F1. I would then of course buy a new bike to have too hahahah
I think the Federation Square stuff looks nicer!
What a POS… You could buy an MV Augusta and have more power, better looks and at a better price!
People that ride motorcylces that cost money do so for the power, the design and the love of both, not for a “thing” that costs half a house and looks like one too!
Go Ducati! ;P
ok great concept an electric motorcycle woo hoo. yeah for the environment. 100% torque (great stat) 150 mph 150 mile range (average stat)…. But who wants to be seen on the ugliest thing on the road, good God if I showed up to a rally with this thing I would kick my own ass.
Hi All,
A pedestrian warning device for both EV and ice powered vehicles is already available and in mass production. It is already being implemented and has been for the last 100 years.
I beleive that it uses the KISS principle and is named “THE HORN”
;} Regards to Gas 2.0, keep up the good work.
OK, it is as fast as my 1985 Suzuki GS1150, although it is short on range by about 75 miles.
What really bothers me though is the slab side that looks like a great way for the wind to move you around.