California's Vintage Electric has spent the last few years merging the past with the present for a succession of funky ebikes that drip retro motorcycle charm. Now the company has really dialed up the power for the 2022 72-volt Performance Line.
Vintage Electric has selected three of its existing models for the Performance Line upgrade, all combining "best-in-class EV power with the timeless design of motordrome board track racers from the golden age of racing."
The ebikes chosen for the 72-volt treatment are the Scrambler S from 2018, the Roadster that first rolled out in 2019 and the special-edition Shelby model, also from 2019. Each features a hydroformed aluminum frame, adjustable inverted suspension to the front, moto-inspired LED lighting front and back, 26-inch wheels wrapped in Schwalbe Fat Frank tires, Promax Lucid hydraulic disc brakes, plus regenerative braking to eke even more from the batteries during slow-downs.
![The 72-volt Scrambler model offers five levels of torque-sensing pedal-assist plus thumb throttle](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/f55f84b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3269x2184+0+0/resize/1437x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff4%2F2d%2Fe1ba00974fb081b01b85c9dad621%2Fvintageelectric-72volt-scrambler-8.jpg)
As the full Performance Line name suggests, the centerpiece of the upgraded ebikes is "the very best battery that Vintage could engineer in terms of power, acceleration, longevity and rechargeability" – the industry leading 72-volt 1,123-Wh battery pack housed in the V-twin-like housing mounted between the seat and down tubes.
![The Roadster has a top speed of 20 mph in Street mode, but can be optioned with a Race Mode for upt](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/388a9a3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3920x2502+0+0/resize/1440x919!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F96%2F6f%2F04b3cba749048d45858abf1bc7c7%2Fvintageelectric-roadster-72volt-4.jpg)
When combined with the 750-W rear-hub motor, this is reported to offer riders some three times the torque of previous iterations, and buyers can option in a high-performance Race Mode to take off-roading to powerful new heights.
![The Shelby model was introduced in 2019, with looks inspired by Carroll Shelby's personal Cobra 289 Slab Side, and has now been updated for the 2022 72-volt Performance Line](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/2583706/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6720x4480+0+0/resize/1440x960!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F44%2F8b%2Ff1f30a9e44768f571d4479483375%2Fvintageelectric-72volt-shelby-2.jpg)
In addition to pedal-assist with torque sensing for more responsive riding, all of the 2022 Performance Line ebikes come with a thumb throttle for up to 20 mph (32 km/h) for street riding or 40 mph (64 km/h) via the Race Mode option on private roads. Per-charge range is reckoned to be somewhere between 40 and 75 miles (up to 120 km) on the open road.
The 72-volt Roadster and Scrambler ebikes each carry a boutique price tag of US$6,995, while the 72-volt Shelby edition is the clear pack leader at $7,249. All models are available now.
Source: Vintage Electric