Savic Powers Ahead

First C-Series delivered and component factory space leased in China

Australian electric motorcycle company Savic has delivered its first production units of the C-Series Alpha to customers in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.

It has also leased a 1200sqm factory space in China’s Zhejiang province, near Shanghai, to produce the C-Series powertrain unit and speed up the assembly process. Savic says this powertrain has “unique scalability” and is “capable of serving a variety of future vehicles”.

This powertrain consists of the battery pack, electric motor and controller, along with its principal software and electronics systems.

The C-Series Alpha, the first commercial vehicle produced in Melbourne since the closure of Ford, Holden and Toyota car plants eight years ago, has been designed in Australia. Final assembly is undertaken in Melbourne using both in-house-designed components and ones sourced from overseas.

Pricing starts from $29,990 plus ORC but customers can opt for several upgrades, including colour schemes and a pillion seat.

More than 100 orders have been placed and the company says interest is building since a nationwide series of test rides was undertaken earlier this year.

The release follows a development cycle involving six prototypes, started back in 2016 (see central image above right) but slowed by the Covid pandemic.

The final stage of pre-production included a complete in-house redesign of the suspension. Ex-racer and development adviser Jed Metcher and a team undertook the equivalent of 110,000km of testing at Melbourne’s Lang Lang proving ground and then completed laps of Phillip Island MotoGP circuit where the C-Series was run successfully at over 170km/h.

Savic claims the C-Series is a leader in the electric performance sector, with 0-100km/h acceleration of 3.5sec, which nearly matches several big-name ICE sportsbikes.

A claimed combined riding range (urban-country) of 200km-plus is helped by a specially designed regenerative braking system that helps put power back into the battery.

The C-Series has an ABS braking system designed in conjunction with Bosch Australia and its Brembo brakes are superbike spec.

A ‘twist-and-go’ motorcycle, the C-Series doesn’t have a clutch but a push-button-operated reverse gear helps with parking and manoeuvring.

The C-Series has full internet connectivity, providing for over-the-air electronic updates, bike security monitoring and keyless ignition via a smartphone.

Four ride modes (Normal, Sport, Eco and Rain) are available, along with three customised modes to adjust torque delivery, re-gen braking and throttle sensitivity.

The C-Series can be charged at public recharge points or via a household powerpoint. It comes with a 10amp charging cable.

Savic will soon open showrooms in Melbourne and Perth and is working to establish a network of authorised service technicians.  

Check out the latest issue of AMCN to read what TT legend Davo Johnson thinks of the new C-Series!

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