Electric motorbike manufacturer Voxan is preparing for a series of new record attempts. Motorbike rider and four-time world champion Max Biaggi will pilot the electric Voxan Watmann during the record attempts.
Voxan is a French company dedicated entirely to the development of electric motorbikes. The company is part of Venturi, a manufacturer of electric vehicles. Voxan was founded in 1995 as a motorbike manufacturer. The brand has been owned by Venturi since 2010. Since then, it has focused on developing electric motorbikes.
Wattman
In 2013, the French company presented the Wattman, an all-electric powered motorbike. Using a faster version of the Wattman, Max Biaggi also attempted a series of world records back in October 2020. At the time, Voxan actually wanted the attempts to take place on the world's largest salt flats: Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. However, due to restrictions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was not possible.
The record attempts therefore took place at Châteauroux airport in France in 2020. In the process, Voxan and Biaggi targeted a total of 12 world records, of which they eventually set 11. An overview:
- 1/4 mile, riding start, partially streamlined - 394.45 km/h (no previous record)
- 1/4 mile, riding start, not streamlined - 357.19 km/h (no previous record)
- 1km, riding start, partially streamlined - 386.35 km/h (previous record: 329.31 km/h)
- 1 mile, riding start, partially streamlined - 366.94km/h (previous record: 329.09km/h)
- 1 mile, riding start, not streamlined - 349.38 km/h (previous record: 292 km/h)
- 1/4 mile, stationary start, partially streamlined - 126.20 km/h (no previous record)
- 1/4 mile, stationary start, not streamlined - 127.30 km/h (no previous record)
- 1 km, stationary start, partially streamlined - 185.56 km/h (no previous record)
- 1 km, stationary start, not streamlined - 191.84 km/h (no previous record)
- 1 mile, stationary start, partially streamlined - 222.82 km/h (no previous record)
- 1 mile, stationary start, not streamlined - 225.01 km/h (no previous record)
New record attempts
Voxan is now announcing another series of record attempts. At the wheel again will be Max Biaggi. The attempts are scheduled for the end of 2021. Once again, the choice here is an asphalt circuit, the name of which has not yet been announced. The Wattman's engine and transmission have been optimised for the record attempts by Michelin, which is a partner and the official supplier of tyres.
The Wattman will make the record attempts - like last year - in the weight class up to 300 kilograms. However, the bike is expected to be heavier than in the 2020 record attempts. Voxan attributes this to the motorbike's new battery. French company SAFT, which specialises in battery technology, is involved in the project as a partner.
Breaking speed of 408 km/h
The aim of the record attempts includes breaking the previous speed record of 408 km/h. Among other improvements in stability and airflow should make this possible. In optimising this, Voxan's R&D department worked with specialists in fluid dynamics simulation, which can visualise air flows, among other things.
"It is incredible how much work we have done in just a few months. Last November, we wondered if we could reach 400 km/h. Now this speed is the starting point of our work! It is crucial that we learn and progress. With our motivation, Voxan's team spirit and our hunger to excel, I have no doubt that we will be successful," said Biaggi.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Photos: © VOXAN
