Urban Transport

A closer look at the XOR folding scooter

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The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter folds down in around 20 seconds
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter folds down in around 20 seconds
TThe XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter folds down in around 20 seconds
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter folds down in around 20 seconds
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter folds down in around 20 seconds
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter folds down in around 20 seconds
The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter
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We first covered XOR’s folding electric scooters about a year ago but, aside from their top speed, weight and the fact they fold up, there wasn’t a lot of info on them available. Now we’ve had a chance to see the folding scooter in action at Intermot 2010 and nail down a few more details about the vehicle from XOR Motors that is dubbed the “XO2 Urban Transformer.”

Speed and range

The top speeds of the three models are a little different to those indicated to us last year. The 50 cc equivalent 2.5kW and 4.0kW models now report a top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), down from the 60 km/h (37 mph) reported to us last year, while the 125 cc equivalent 8.0kW model can reach a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph), down slightly from the 125 km/h (78 mph) provided to us last year. On the plus side the range of the three models has been given a boost with the 2.5kW and 4.0kW models sporting a range of 100 km (62 miles) at 45 km/h, while the 8.0kW model can travel for 75 km (47 miles) at 90 km/h (56 mph).

The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter

The scooters are all powered by a brushless hub motor and high-density lithium-polymer batteries. The 2300WH and 3000WH batteries of the 2.5kW and 4.0kW models can be fully charged in two hours forty minutes, while the 4000WH battery of the 8.0kW model takes just two hours.

All three models have the same measurements of 1750mm long x 760mm wide x 1100mm high (5.7 x 2.5 x 3.6 ft) in driving configuration, reducing down to 1020mm x 420mm x 700mm (3.3 x 1.4 x 2.3 ft) when folded.

Foldable doesn't mean lighter

Before seeing the scooters in person we were a little concerned that the folding sections could provide some areas of weakness but the build quality of the vehicles has allayed our fears. They fold down in around 20 seconds with the battery becoming a kind of hard shell suitcase on wheels that can be rolled along separately. It is a clever design but yes, it is heavy.

The XOR Urban Transporter folding scooter

The batteries of the three models alone weigh 21, 25 and 30kg (46, 55 and 66 lbs) for the 2.5kW, 4.0kW and 8.0kW scooters respectively, contributing to a total weight of 73, 77 and 83kg (161, 170 and 183 lbs). So while the folding ability will mean the difference between getting one in the back of a station wagon or leaving it behind, you’ll need a well made ramp or two strong people to get it loaded.

The 4.0kW and 8.0kW XO2 Urban Transformer scooters from XOR Motors are available now for 2,100 euro (approx US$2,920) and 3,100 euro (approx. US$4,315) respectively, with the batteries costing an extra 2,000 euro (approx. US$2,785) and 3,000 euro (approx. US$4,175) for each model. The 2.5kW model is set to go into production in a month’s time and will sell for 1,890 euro (approx. US$2,630) with an extra 1,900 euro (approx. US$2,645) for the battery.

View gallery - 24 images
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10 comments
mrhuckfin
So what am I missing here? Why fold up at all? It\'s not like it\'s portable other then to ride it?
Facebook User
Hey, it\'s a mere 160-185pounds; just throw a shoulder strap on it and... oh right.
Paul Anthony
I am trying to think of when I would fold this, and I cannot think of any reason, but I am sure that if I got a non folding one, then I would discover that I wish I could fold it!
Chris Caffin
Some of us live in an apartment with lifts, and where external storage is prone to theft. This is great, so I can trundle the scooter to the safety and power of my apartment. Also when getting to the office, parking is just as unsafe. Great idea.
Oh and before any other objections, some of us who have seen a lot of life, have knees past their use by date which make walking not an easy option.
nOv1c3
This is perfect for people that own aircraft or Boats . But Price a bit steap for the bats dont ya think ?
Luddite
While the idea of electric is nice, the price of the battery pack (batteries not included) is a bit steep. For the average gas scooter, I can go 80,000 miles for the same price as the battery pack.
Calson
If I buy a gas powered scooter I cannot store in indoors and I would have to go every other day and get in line at a gas station to fuel it. I would also need to change the air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs, and have it tuned at least once a year and every 2-3 years replace its battery. With a compact electric I can store it anywhere and plug it into a wall outlet for a recharge. Only maintenance would be to get a $20 bicycle tire pump to keep up the pressure in the tires.
In many cities the gas stations are few and far between them so it is not a trivial matter to go get gas for your gas powered scooter. If you are renting then you also need to have a garage for the scooter or a place to safely chain it down. If you travel to an office or a friend\'s house you have the same problems with security which do not exist if you can collapse the scooter down and wheel it inside.
An electric scooter can be purchased from Best Buy for $500. The XOR are a high performance scooter and priced accordingly. No different than the price difference between a Porsche and a Toyota Echo.
frogola
the price is ridiculous. i don't think this company will go far with this .
Dave B13
Two years late to the party, only two words on folding scooters: De and Blasi:
De Blasi Electric Folding Scooter Mod. R70 (Made in Italy) Dimensions Folded: 69 x 35 x 64(h) cm Unfolded: wheelbase 97,5 cm Masses With battery 35,2 Kg [35.2*2.2=77.5 LBs] (Electric Version) Without battery: 24,6 kg
http://www.diblasi.com/ (USA SALES) Electric version may no longer be sold in US, you need to ask. Sorry, no pedals, even though they call it a Moped.
Di Blasi (Gasolene - Petrol Version) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaPfmdmIbaQ (not mine) Folded: Length............................................................29 1/2" Height...................................................................23" Width..............................................................12 1/2" Weight (empty)................................................64 lbs. (Gasolene - Petrol version)
http://www.diblasi.de/ diblasi.be - diblasi.biz - diblasi.co.uk - diblasi.com.es - diblasi.de - diblasi.eu - diblasi.fr - diblasi.it
unklmurray
When I lived in a Denver highrise apt I took my Harley N2 the elevator & N2 my apt without any problems....the Land lord had a problem....I parked it next to my work station/desk at the Community College of Denver.....no problem.....so why do you guys have a problem with a tiny scooter??? Anytime someone complained I showed them my friend S & W .44 and they had no problems after that.....I don't understand why........