Motorcycles

Bandit9's shiny and affordable electric scooter rocks liquid-metal style

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The Nano e-scooter parked up
Bandit9
The Nano e-scooter parked up
Bandit9
The Nano e-scooter has a range of 60 miles
Bandit9
Front-on look at the Nano e-scooter
Bandit9
Aerial view of the Bandit9 Nano e-scooter
Bandit9
The Nano e-scooter features a 4-kW electric motor built into the rear hub
Bandit9
Top down look at the Nano e-scooter
Bandit9
So far as out-of-the-box, futuristic stylings go, Bandit9 has form
Bandit9
The Nano e-scooter has a removable battery
Bandit9
The Nano e-scooter features a 4-kW electric motor built into the rear hub
Bandit9
Teaser image of the Nano e-scooter
Bandit9
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Vietnam’s Bandit9 has dropped a new two-wheeler into the e-scooter pond it’s not quite like anything we’ve seen before. Part urban mobility solution and part fashion statement, the shiny, stainless steel Nano e-scooter looks like it was plucked straight out of sci-fi movie set in outer space, but could be coming to the streets of Earth sometime in the not so distant future.

So far as out-of-the-box, retro-futuristic stylings go, Bandit9 has form. In 2016, we looked at a limited edition custom motorbike from the Saigon-based builder that wouldn’t look out of place on an X-wing fighter, and last year it rolled out an audacious two-wheeler called the Supermarine that looks like it was built for Batman.

The Nano e-scooter features a 4-kW electric motor built into the rear hub
Bandit9

In turning their attention to the world of e-scooters, Bandit9’s designers are looking to tempt style-conscious urban folk into a new way of getting about town. The company’s website is quite forthright regarding its target market for the Nano, reading “Vespa has gone uncontested for decades. There simply is no other choice; they’re beautiful, classic and affordable. We love, fear and admire them. And now we’re going to fight them.”

The Nano e-scooter has a range of 60 miles
Bandit9

The Nano might look like its bringing an upside down high-heel to this gun fight, but with a 904L stainless steel fairing polished to a sterling silver, it will at least look good while doing it. Within this shimmering exterior lies a 4.2-kWh removable battery that can be recharged in four hours of plug-in time, sending power to a 4-kW electric motor built into the rear hub.

The Nano e-scooter features a 4-kW electric motor built into the rear hub
Bandit9

On the base model, this allows for a 45-km/h (27 mph) top speed and range of 60 miles (96 km), while the pricier Nano+ can scoot along at up to 70 km/h (43 mph) and offers the same range. Despite its steel frame, both versions of the Nano tip the scales at 120 kg (264 lb), very similar to the 125-kg (276-lb) Ola S1 being rolled out in India.

Bandit9 has opened up preorders with the Nano priced at US$4,499 (€4,499) and the Nano+ priced at US$4,990 (€4,499), though it is yet to publicly outline a shipping date.

Source: Bandit9

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7 comments
1stClassOPP
I like it. Especially if the front cowling opens like a trunk (hood) for storage of helmet etc. Cool!
Tristan P
I wonder how that large, silver, reflective surface will go at night reflecting bright headlights around it. Or even reflecting the sun. It might not be so great for other motorists on the road. Looks very cool though. Maybe they'll make it with other surface finishes/colours.
TechGazer
Definitely for the style-conscious. My first thought was: "What has been compromised for style?" My guess is that access for maintenance has been compromised, but I suppose the style-conscious don't do their own maintenance.
mediabeing
I like its looks and wish I lived somewhere where there were friends and stores nearby.
I live in Texas where the grocery store is several hours away (I exaggerate a little).
TpPa
I have to agree that it will probably be a menace in the chromed version, sun & headlights being reflected who knows where just might get you run over by the on coming driver you just blinded.
HokenPoke
o... what has the world come to....looks like a ladies high heel shoe
Ian R Orchard
I doubt that they would be a reflection hazard, the cowling is convex so objects like the sun would appear smaller & less in-yer-face.