Energica
Ego
Energica
Motor Company is the first Italian manufacturer of supersport electric
motorcycles. Energica electric motorcycles are the ultimate expression of
Italian luxury, masterfully manufactured in the Italian Motor Valley in Modena,
Italy.
The
world’s first all-electric superbike bred from the heartland of Italian racing
legend. The Energica EGO. Designed and built by the same people who have
designed and engineered racing performance from Formula One Racing to Le Mans
24h for over 40 years.
Lustful
exotica and motorcycling have always gone hand in hand. Once again Italy leads
the charge, this time in the electric motorcycle segment with its sharp-looking
Energica Ego Superbike (US$ 34,000). Sporting an array of technologies, the Ego
looks to entice motorcyclists seeking the fastest petrol-free e-bike on the
road.
Italian
styling is rightly praised, so it’s no surprise that the Ego has plenty of
charm. It mixes sharp symmetrical angles with flat surfaces giving it a fast,
muscular appearance. Fit and finish is surprisingly good, too — especially
considering this is CRP’s first production motorcycle.
Visually,
you’d be hard pressed to notice differences between the Ego and a conventional
piston-driven bike. Still, subtle cues exist including the electric motor’s
cooling fins that protrude past the swingarm, as well as the absent shift and
clutch lever (the powertrain is direct drive, single speed, with a conventional
chain final drive).
The
intricately machined and highly adjustable rear sets are another nice touch. A
bright and colorful 4.3-inch TFT display keeps track of the bike’s vitals and
is manipulated via the Domino-sourced switchgear in a straightforward manner.
The
Ego is outfitted with a conventional damping and spring preload adjustable
inverted fork from Marzocchi and an equally adjustable Ohlins shock. Due to
packaging requirements, the shock is offset to the right side of the bike,
mounting between the steel-trellis frame and the cast aluminum swingarm,
without a linkage. It rolls on a set of Superbike-sized (3.5-inch wide front,
5.5-inch rear, 17-inch diameter) aluminum forged Marchesini wheels shod with
Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tires.
Synchronization
between throttle and motor is certainly one of the highlights and most impressive
features of the machine. Yank deeper on the twist grip and it rushes forward
with an immediate stump-pulling tidal wave of torque—the kind you experience as
a roller coaster sprints up to speed. Acceleration is instant and so forceful
that it induces a giddy, butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling. At lower speeds,
the Energica accelerates every bit as fast, if not faster, than a modern
gas-powered 1000 cc Superbike. This thing is the real deal.
Yet,
the riding sensation is different than a gasoline-powered motorcycle with it
feeling less organic and not as connected with the road. No doubt, added seat
time would help reduce this feeling.
The
green heart of the electric sportbike is a synchronous oil-cooled motor with
permanent magnets. It has 100kW (136 hp c.ca) of instantaneous power reaching
from 4900 rpm to 10500 rpm and a torque of 195 Nm ranging from 0 rpm to 4700
rpm.
Energica
Ego accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3 seconds to reach a top speed of 150 mph
with a vigorous thrust that does not make you miss the drops in the engine
speed by the constant shifting of the classic internal combustion engines –
making the electric superbike faster than a 600 supersport.
This
is a real, quality machine capable of delivering authentic Superbike-like speed
electrically without the use of conventional fossil fuels.