Arc has taken to the EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan to debut its new electric motorcycle, the Arc Vector. The sporty bike is equal parts high speed, high tech and high price.
Arc Vector electric motorcycle
Arc was founded by Mark Truman, the former head of Jaguar’s White Space (the division that comes up with all of their crazy ideas).
Truman and his team developed the electric motorcycle concept that eventually evolved into the Arc Vector unveiled today.
The 95 kW Arc Vector is rated for a top speed of 150 mph (241 km/h).
Zero-60 mph acceleration takes just 2.7 seconds – nearly as quick as the Curtiss Zeus production prototypes revealed yesterday.
Range is estimated at 120 miles (193 km) on the highway or 170 miles (274 km) in the city.
Only 355 units will be produced, pushing the price to an extreme £90,000 ($117,000). The Arc Vector definitely isn’t an everyman’s electric motorcycle – it’s for millionaires that value the uniqueness and sustainability that the Arc Vector represents.
The Arc Vector takes a very different design direction than most other bikes out there. Instead of a conventional frame, it uses a carbon fiber monocoque design. The body houses all of the electronics including the battery, motor and controllers.
A carbon fiber swingarm, custom Ohlins dampers and Brembo brakes mounted in the rarely seen 6 o’clock position round out the list of high end motorbike components.
Between the novel structural design and a new type of battery cells, the Arc Vector claims to be 25% lighter than its nearest competition.
The Arc Vector’s battery cells are apparently unique as well.
As Truman claims:
“The cells we have are still prototypes. There is no other electric bike that will have the sort of cells we have.”
Arc Vector’s accompanying high tech gear
A major part of the Arc Vector’s design is how it incorporates wearable technology developed by the company.
A HUD display helmet provides pertinent information to the rider, allowing him to keep his eyes on the road.
The helmet also includes a rearview camera, giving the rider eyes in the back of his head.
A haptic jacket also provides tactile feedback, such as giving a rider physical cues when a car is approaching from behind. The jacket uses embedded speakers to provide vibration feedback, and under certain operating modes, allow the rider to feel the music.
For those that fear the Arc Vector’s wearable technology could be too much stimulation, Truman already has an answer:
“People ask me if this could be distracting, but it is actually designed to be the total opposite. The tech frees you and your senses because the distractions have been removed. It allows you to concentrate on the road and your one-ness with the bike, to just enjoy the moment knowing the bike is looking out for you and the information you need is right in front of you.”
The haptic jacket and high-tech helmet are designed to help meld man and machine into one. Instead of checking the gauges to see how close a rider is pushing the power to the max, the jacket and helmet can clue in the rider.
Together, the technology works to increase both the performance and safety of the Arc Vector.
According to Truman:
“Technology, performance, safety and experience come together like never before on two wheels. The Vector is more than just the world’s most premium electric motorcycle; it’s the world’s first motorcycle with integrated multi-sensory HMI (Human Machine Interface), it’s an innovative heads-up display helmet and it’s a tactile riding suit – all making up the most involving motorcycle experience on the market today.”
The Arc Vector is just one of the many exciting new EVs being unveiled today at the EICMA in Milan. We’ll have more news for you throughout the day covering the latest announcements and vehicle releases.
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