The Internets are abuzz about a brand new electric motorcycle, with good reason. While I love my sturdy secondhand red bike, the new Mission R has me fanning myself...and not just because of the tech that makes it run.
Even just reading Mission Motors' description of the Mission R is fun. The powertrain "packs 41hp and 14.4 kWh of energy storage in a package smaller than a 600cc sportbike." Its liquid-cooled AC Induction motor sends the bike from zero to more than 160 miles per hour in one gear. Whoa yeah.
Los Angeles Times blogger Susan Carpenter writes that the key to packing in so much power as being a combination of small motor controller and energy-dense lithium-ion battery cells. Treehugger's Michael Graham Richard highlights an intriguing part of the motorcycle's design: "The batteries use a 'swappable architecture,' which probably means that they can be swapped quickly, either between races or during pit stops."
The Mission R is ready to race, come 2011. No videos available of the motorcycle in action yet, but there should be early next year when it heads into the Time Trial Xtreme Grand Prix (TTXGP), an international race for electric motorcycles that aims to push the limits of what they can do while highlighting clean-emission transportation tech.
With the ability to go more than 160 mph while packing batteries, the Mission R sounds like it could handle The Grid (video). The Marchesini forged magnesium 10-spoke wheels make it look Grid-ready. Plus, any vehicle emblazoned with sponsor Texas Instruments' logo on the side is likely to be a geek's dream ride.
Photo: The new electric Mission R motorcycle is designed for racing. Credit: Mission Motors.
Tags: Batteries, Electric Bicycles, Motorcycles, Sports, Vehicles and Equipment
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