ONYX Built a 65-MPH Rocket and Called It a Moped
Image Credit: ONYX Motors.
Today is one of those days when something comes along that makes me tilt my head and go, "Well now, what in the world are you?" The new ONYX RCR 80V has just landed and I have questions. A lot of them, in fact.
The folks at ONYX Motors, in their infinite wisdom and with a twinkle in their eye, I'm sure, are calling this little rocket a "moped." When I was growing up, a moped was a plucky little thing that sputtered along at a pace that wouldn't scare a squirrel. It was charming, economical, and about as intimidating as a fluffy kitten.
Image Credit: ONYX Motors.
This? This is not that. This is a fluffy kitten that can do zero to thirty in 1.7 seconds. That's faster than many sports cars I've driven, and certainly faster than I can decide what to have for breakfast. To put it mildly, this moped has had a few too many espressos.
ONYX has taken their already zippy RCR model and given it a shot of pure adrenaline. They've swapped out the old 72-volt system for a beefier 80-volt setup. What does that mean in normal-people-speak? It means the top speed has gone from a "Wow, that's fast for a moped" 60 miles per hour to a "Are you absolutely sure about this?" 65 miles per hour. That's highway speed, my friends. On a moped.
Image Credit: ONYX Motors.
The heart of this beast is a rear hub motor that puts out a nominal 8 kW but peaks at a hilarious 18 kW of power. That's what gives it that neck-snapping acceleration. It's all powered by a 3.6 kWh battery, which is quite the lunchbox for something that still has, and I say this with love… pedals.
Oh yes, the pedals! They are there. They are functional. They are also mostly for show. ONYX claims a range of 55 miles in Sport mode and 130 miles in Eco mode. If you do somehow manage to drain that giant battery, you could, in theory, pedal this thing home. I imagine it would be a character-building experience, much like trying to teach a cat to fetch. Your quadriceps would probably write a strongly worded letter of complaint afterward.
Image Credit: ONYX Motors.
Now, let's talk about the identity crisis happening here. ONYX ships it locked at a perfectly legal 20 mph, qualifying it as a Class 2 e-bike. It's like sending a tiger to a housecat convention and telling it to "be cool." The owner can then, with a few clicks, unleash its true, road-runner-chasing potential. But then, what is it? A moped? A motor-driven cycle? A lightweight motorcycle that forgot to finish getting dressed?
This is where things get a bit fuzzy, legally speaking. Every state seems to have its own opinion on the matter, creating a patchwork of regulations that's about as clear as mud. ONYX suggests that owners can register it as a moped or motor-driven cycle, depending on local laws. It's a clever way to navigate the system, and the riders have the flexibility to either be a law-abiding e-biker or a registered speed demon. It's all part of their grand plan to get more people on two electric wheels, which I can certainly get behind.
Image Credit: ONYX Motors.
For a starting price of $4,699 (a little introductory deal from its $4,999 MSRP), you get a whole lot of fun. It's built on a sturdy aluminum frame with an inverted front fork and adjustable dual shocks in the back, so it should handle all that power without rattling your fillings out. The 17-inch wheels are shod in chunky 4-inch fat tires, and braking is handled by hydraulic discs with big 220 mm rotors, plus some serious regenerative braking from that mighty motor.
ONYX hasn't skimped on the creature comforts, either. There's a cushy 16-inch bench seat, a full suite of LED lights, and even a fancy TFT touchscreen display that can mirror your phone for navigation. You'll definitely need GPS to find your way back from whichever county you accidentally end up in after a quick trip to the grocery store.
Image Credit: ONYX Motors.
Who is this creation really for? It's for the young, the bold, and the people who look at a car and think, "You know, that's just too much car." It's an exhilarating and surprisingly practical alternative for city dwellers. Is the RCR 80V a moped? In the traditional sense, absolutely not. But in the spirit of pushing boundaries and having a ridiculous amount of fun while doing it? Oh, absolutely. Just please wear a helmet. A really, really good one.
