Davinci
We still associate China with low-cost motorcycling, but Davinci Motor is an outlier - a Chinese brand making high-end, high-tech electric machines that has just made the move to offer its DC100 model in Europe for the first time.
Launched in China in 2021, the DC100 is already in production - albeit in small numbers - and promises impressive performance. Peak power is 100 kW (135 hp), to give a 200 km/h top speed, and thanks to 850 Nm of torque, the acceleration should be just as impressive. Range is measured at 357 km under WMTC testing, more than matching most petrol-powered bikes.
All this comes in a package that also includes a remarkable array of technology. There's a linked brake system cornering ABS, cornering traction control, a hill-start assist and hill-descent control system, and even the ability to operate in reverse at up to 5 km/h to assist with parking. The Drive mode also means that, once selected, the bike automatically accelerates to 7km/h when you release the brake, before any throttle is applied, making for smooth, easy starts.
Other intriguing features include the fact that the DC100 has no dashboard. There's simply a bracket to hold your smartphone, which doubles as the dash and the key, and the fact that - unlike many electric bikes on the market at the moment - the DC100 features an energy recovery system to help recharge the battery as you decelerate.
On the downside, if you're hoping to get all this for a bargain-basement price, prepare to be disappointed. Pre-order sales for the European market are at a hefty € 26,000.
