It has been a big year for Montreal , Quebec based Taiga Motors . March saw them unveil what is thought to be the first pre-production models of their TS3 platform electric snowmobile lineup . In the summer the company followed up with an electric Personal Watercraft ( PWC ) and in October saw their ambitions validated by scooping a prestigious Red Dot Design Award for the ' Orca ' PWC .
Designed from the ground up over five years , these TS3 platform electric snowmobiles " represent the next evolution in snowmobiling defined by superior performance , unyielding reliability , intelligent connectivity and access to winter adventures without compromise ." The first three production snowmobile models launching on the TS3 platform will be the Atlas crossover , Nomad utility and touring and the Ekko backcountry . Each model is based on Taiga ' s evolutionary RADIX chassis and powertrain platform . Inspired by state-of-the-art automotive designs , the battery pack is structurally integrated into the chassis , allowing for a reduction in components , compact ergonomics and greater weight savings . The innovative approach also enables higher chassis stiffness and ideal placement of the center of gravity for improved ride dynamics . The modelspecific suspensions have been closely engineered alongside the chassis platform from the rider down for optimal handling in each segment . Taiga says it has achieved " classleading power to weight ratios , with up to 180 hp ( 135 kW ) at any altitude
www . AMDchampionship . com and temperature , while maintaining a ride-ready ( as opposed to misleading ' dry ') weight under 534 lbs ( 242 kg ) for performance models . Atlas models can achieve a top speed of up to 160 km / h ( 100 mph ). The Nomad and Ekko are geared with higher low-end torque for climbing and can achieve a top speed of 120 km / h ( 75 mph ). Top end models can achieve an industryleading 0-100 km / h time of under 3 seconds ."
Taiga ' s lithium-ion battery and electric drive have been engineered to be safely operated across their lifetime under high shock loads , high humidity environments , and even under temporary submersion . The standard battery capacity provides energy for up to 100 km of riding with an optional extended range battery for up to 140 km . The insulated battery with an advanced liquid thermal management system maintains the cells at an optimal temperature for under 5 % range loss when operating in -30 degree C temperatures and minimal degradation across its lifetime . Their two ' Orca ' electric PWC models are said to " redefine the recreational watercraft experience with silent operation , leading power to weight hassle-free ownership , intelligent connectivity and competitive pricing . " Powering the new models is the same evolutionary Taiga RADIX powertrain platform found in our TS3 electric snowmobiles . The shared powertrain architecture offers enhanced performance and reliability under extreme conditions " and drives down costs . Taiga CEO Samuel Bruneau said : " It is exciting to see the intensive R & D behind our electric platform accelerating the rollout of new models . Alongside this , we have made great progress with our manufacturing partners to introduce Orca models at a lower price point sooner than expected ." The Orca Sport model offers 120 hp while weighing just 533 lbs ; the Orca Performance model offers up to 180 hp and an optional 3-person tow sport package with instant low-end torque . In the premium segment , Taiga offers a full carbon Performance model with enhanced drive dynamics . Taiga ' s 2020 Orca Red Dot win was for " outstanding design quality ." The Red Dot Award offers designers and manufacturers from all over the world a platform for assessing their products . In 2020 , designers and companies from 60 countries entered more than 6,500 products in the competition . The international jury comprises experienced experts from different disciplines and has been convening for around 65 years in order to select the year ' s best designs . The adjudication process lasts several days and is based on two essential criteria : the jurors test all of the entries in order to assess not just the aesthetics , but also the materials selected , the level of craftsmanship , the surface structure , ergonomics and functionality . www . taigamotors . ca
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Malaysia looks set to be the latest market to clamp down on illegally modified motorcycles , according to RideApart , with loud pipes having fallen into the crosshairs of legislators . The police says that " modified motorcycles may be seized , and they must be restored to their original condition ."
Since the summer of 2020 , KTM dealers in USA have been able to sell KTM branded ' factory replica ' electric balance bikes made by H-D owned subsidiary StaCyc . They can be operated like a regular bicycle , then riders can progress to a 3-level powered mode . There are two versions with larger 16eDrive for older children having 16 " wheels , a 17 " seat height and a high-performance brushless motor . Both versions are said to offer a 45-60 minute charge time and 30-60 minutes run time .
In automotive racing news , BMW Motorsport has announced that it is to call time on its ABB FIA Formula E World Championship involvement after the 2021 season . The move appears to signal that BMW is comfortable with the purpose the series has served for them and is now set to husband resources for a major future play on the EV space that Tesla had pretty much had to itself so far .
H-D finished 2020 in 7th place in motorcycle market share terms in Switzerland , with 1,972 units sold . Yamaha is market share leader in Switzerland , and its MT-07 the top-seller in a market that is small in total sales terms ( 29,450 units sold in 2020 ) but was up by + 21.65 % over 2019 and has one of the highest per capita motorcycle ownerships in the world in general , and specifically , one of if not the highest ownerships of Harleys per head of population of anywhere in the world .
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Sources : AMD , IDN , FT , Reuters , PSB , MPN , B & B , BDN , MCN , AP , Bloomberg , MSNW , Electrek , electricmotorcycles . news , RideApart . com , Motor1 . com