The Voxan RW-5 electric motorcycle recently made waves by breaking four world speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Developed in partnership between Ohio State University and the Venturi Group, the RW-5 continues a 15-year tradition of producing record-breaking vehicles.
French rider Louis-Marie Blondel achieved these record-breaking speeds at the end of August 2024, competing in the sub-150-kg (331-lb) class of electric motorcycles. The RW-5 set impressive marks both with and without its fairing. Without the fairing, the bike reached 168.712 mph (271.515 km/h) for a 1-km flying start and 168.593 mph (271.323 km/h) for a 1-mile flying start. With the streamlined fairing, it hit 180.065 mph (289.787 km/h) for a flying kilometer and 180.035 mph (289.738 km/h) for a flying mile. These results are currently awaiting approval from the Fédération Internationale Motocycliste (IFIM).
Powered by an 80-kW liquid-cooled permanent magnet axial flux motor, the RW-5 delivers 107 horsepower and 132.7 lb-ft (180 Nm) of torque. While these specifications align with those of conventional street-legal electric motorcycles, the RW-5’s lightweight frame (331 lb) and aerodynamic design allow it to achieve extraordinary speeds. Its wheelbase of 66.1 inches (1.68 meters) and overall length of 101.1 inches (2.57 meters) contribute to both its stability and its record-setting capabilities.
This milestone is the latest in a series of achievements for the partnership between Ohio State University’s Buckeye Current team and the Venturi Group. Venturi, known for its Atlantique sports car and the SpaceX FLEX rover, brings advanced engineering and design expertise to the project. Ohio State University contributes through student-led engineering efforts, creating motorcycles designed specifically to push the boundaries of speed. Their collaboration first attracted global attention in 2021 when six-time world champion Max Biaggi set multiple records on the Voxan Wattman, achieving a two-way average speed of over 283 mph (455 km/h).
Venturi’s record-breaking legacy stretches back to 2010, when the Venturi VBB-2 became the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle in the world, reaching a top speed of 303.025 mph (487.671 km/h). The RW-5 continues this tradition, setting new electric motorcycle speed records that add to Venturi’s impressive track record.
Source: Venturi
