Filed under: Europe/EU, USA



Curse you, Zero Motorcycles! The biggest producer of two-wheeled electrics has just introduced its 2014 lineup at EICMA in Milan, Italy, and while its mainstay S and DS models host significant improvements and a $1,000-dollar price cut, any savings customers might have realized are likely to be re-invested in the company's new $2,495 Power Pack range extender (more on that below).

From a distance, the Zero stand at the world's premier motorcycle show might not seem much different from last year, but there have actually been a lot of changes. The biggest news revolves around an added variant and officially discontinued models. Gone is the lower-cost, lower-power XU. Likewise, the MX off-road bike that gave the company its start is MIA - although truth be told, we are only aware of a couple 2013 examples that actually made it out into the wild. We should also mention that the retained FX model is really a street-legal version of that same machine, albeit with a smaller (yet torquier) motor.

On the positive side, the addition of a Zero S performance variant is likely to wipe away any tears shed for the subtracted models. The SR comes in any color you want as long as it's red (the only model in this hue) and is quicker to 60 miles per hour than a Tesla Model S Performance. A lot quicker, in fact, doing the deed in a scant 3.3 seconds. That puts it right in the mix with any number of traditional sport bikes. It can also continue accelerating up to 102 mph, whereas the S tops out at 95 mph.

The SR owes its increased abilities to to a more powerful controller and a tricked-out motor boasting magnets with better heat tolerance. The modifications make for an output of 67 horsepower and an impressive 106 pound-feet of torque. The bike also gets all the 2014 upgrades of its progenitor (more on that below). It's only available with the ZF 11.4-kWh battery and wears a $16,995 price tag.Continue reading Zero Motorcycles reveals 2014 lineup with SR variant, Power Tank range extender [w/videos]

Zero Motorcycles reveals 2014 lineup with SR variant, Power Tank range extender [w/videos] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 06 Nov 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



Permalink | Email this | Comments

More...