A New Challenger for Top Speed Records
The pursuit of extreme speed has long been dominated by high-performance production cars, but recent developments have shifted the narrative toward two-wheeled electric vehicles. In 2017, the Koenigsegg Agera RS made headlines by setting a blistering two-way average speed of 277.9 mph on a closed stretch of highway in Nevada. However, the Monaco-based electric motorcycle brand Voxan has officially raised the bar, proving that you no longer need four wheels to push the boundaries of physics.
The Venue: NASA’s Historic Runway
To challenge the limits of electric propulsion, Voxan chose a legendary location: the Launch and Landing Facility at Space Florida. Spanning 2.84 miles, this high-friction runway was originally engineered for the NASA Space Shuttle. Its massive length and surface quality provided the ideal environment for the Voxan Wattman to attempt record-breaking runs.
Engineering the Electric Speed Machine
Owned by the Venturi Group since 2010, Voxan set an ambitious target to redefine what is possible for electric motorcycles. The resulting machine, the Wattman, is a feat of engineering. In its streamliner configuration, the bike weighs approximately 653 pounds—a modest mass for a vehicle designed to conquer such immense speeds.
To pilot this craft, the team enlisted the expertise of four-time MotoGP world champion Max Biaggi. In 2020, Biaggi achieved an impressive 253.5 mph. Not content with that result, the team returned to Florida a year later with an upgraded iteration of the bike. This time, the machine reached a staggering 292 mph, resulting in a two-way average of 283 mph and securing 21 new speed records.
Mercedes-Powered Performance
The secret behind the Wattman’s power lies in a unique collaboration. The motorcycle utilizes a powertrain sourced from the Mercedes EQ Formula E program. Coupled with a specialized battery architecture developed by Voxan and Saft, the setup is remarkably efficient.
«The flexible, lightweight battery pouch cells not only keep the Wattman under 300 kilograms, they also made it possible for Voxan to increase the bike's battery power by nearly 80%,» notes the manufacturer.
The resulting output is nothing short of incredible:
- Horsepower: 429 hp
- Torque: 1,003 lb-ft
To put this power to the ground, Voxan collaborated with Michelin, utilizing high-performance Power GP tires. While the record-breaking version of the Wattman is a specialized prototype, it serves as a testament to the future of electric mobility. Consumers interested in the civilian version of the Wattman can expect a more modest, yet still formidable, 203 horsepower.