White Motorcycle Concepts (WMC) from the UK has unveiled an unusual electric motorcycle, the WMC250EV, which stands out due to its large Venturi tunnel. The motorcycle has a low coefficient of air resistance of only 0.118, thanks to the tunnel, which is expected to enable it to reach speeds of around 400 km/h. The motorcycle was developed under the leadership of Rob White, an engineer who gained fame in motorsports as the head of the engine department of the Renault Formula One team.
Venturi tunnels have been used in hypercars for some time due to their significant aerodynamic advantages. However, their high space requirements have prevented their use in motorcycles until now. The engineers at White Motorcycle Concepts had to develop a completely new concept for the WMC250EV, with the tunnel located directly under the rider, while the actual motorcycle is built around the tunnel using carbon. The other components, including the battery and the all-wheel-drive powertrain, are located below the Venturi tunnel.
The WMC250EV has a capacity of only 15 kWh due to the limited space available. According to Topgear, the motorcycle has a double-swing suspension system, with two 30 kW electric motors integrated into the rear wheel and two additional 20 kW motors in the front wheel. The total power output is 100 kW (134 hp). In the coming year, the WMC250EV will attempt a high-speed run on a salt lake in Bolivia, with pilot Rob White, for whom the motorcycle was specially adapted to his body size, aiming to reach 402 km/h.
The WMC250EV is an innovative electric motorcycle that could revolutionize the industry with its unique design and impressive speed capabilities. The use of a Venturi tunnel in a motorcycle is a significant breakthrough, and it will be interesting to see how this technology develops in the future.
