Onyx Motors is turning to the archives as it attempts to reverse its fortune.
The California-based e-mobility company has announced plans to release a limited-edition version of its first two-wheeler, the RCR. The exclusive model isn’t just a straight recreation of the e-moped that first turned heads late last decade, either—it’s an upgrade.
The announcement comes one year after Onyx’s previous owner, James Khatiblou, died unexpectedly. Khatiblou’s death left the fate of the company in question, due to unfulfilled orders and mounting debt, according to TechCrunch. The company has since been taken over by its founder, Tim Seward, and is ready to refocus on what it does best: building and selling electric motorcycles and mopeds.
Onyx Motors RCR LTD
Onyx Motors
“I’m excited to announce I have resurrected my original brand Onyx with incredible backers!” Seward wrote in a LinkedIn post last week. “Onyx is literally back to the future now!”
Onyx is pinning its comeback hopes on the model that helped it break through originally, the RCR. Available in two sizes—Standard, which stands 40 inches tall, and Shorty, which stands 38 inches tall—the battery-powered moped sports a minimalistic retro look. It features a steel tube frame, a trademark mahogany wood “tank” and fat all-terrain tires—and is devoid of nearly all unnecessary bells and whistles.
The new RCR LTD may look the same, but it has received an upgraded 72-volt, 45-Ah battery. The new power source gives the bike better acceleration allowing it to go from zero to 30 mph in just four seconds and hit a top speed of 60 mph (off-road only). Additionally, in Eco mode, the bike can run for up to 120 miles, which is a huge improvement over the 75-mile range of past RCR models. The new battery can also be charged from 10 to 80 percent capacity in two-and-a-half hours and to full capacity in four hours.
Onyx Motors
The company plans to build 100 examples of the new and improved RCR. Each bike will come with a holographic decal featuring its individual serial number, as well as a certificate of authenticity signed by Seward.
In the market for an electric two-wheeler to use around town? If the RCR LTD has caught your eye you can buy yours now through the relaunched Onyx website. The e-moped is currently available—regardless of size—for $4,299.99, which represents a $200 discount.
