On Monday 22 November 2021, the most coveted of all the world records targeted in Florida was beaten. With a speed of 455.737 km/h (283.182 mph), Max Biaggi and the Voxan Wattman claimed the prestigious world record in the ‘partially streamlined electric motorcycle under 300 kg’ class.
The Wattman uses the same Mercedes electric engine as the ROKiT Venturi Racing Team and the Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team in the Formula E World Championship.
In line with FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) regulations, the Voxan Wattman’s speed was measured from a flying start over 1 km in opposite directions, within a period of two hours. Under Federation rules, the final speed is the average of the two speeds recorded over these two runs.
The Wattman’s GPS speedometer recorded a maximum instantaneous speed of 470.257 km/h (292.204 mph). The Voxan machine with its distinctive grey styling, designed by Sacha Lakic, set the stopwatch alight with a blistering performance.
The Voxan Wattman also holds the following records:
Under 300 kg class
1 km, flying start, partially streamlined
456 km/h (283 mph)
1 mile, flying start, partially streamlined
454 km/h (282 mph)
1 km, flying start, non-streamlined
370 km/h (230 mph)
1 mile, flying start, non-streamlined
368 km/h (228 mph)
¼ mile, flying start, partially streamlined
293 km/h (182 mph)
¼ mile, flying start, non-streamlined
285 km/h (177 mph)
1 mile, standing start, partially streamlined
273 km/h (169 mph)
1 mile, standing start, non-streamlined
260 km/h (161 mph)
1 km, standing start, partially streamlined
223 km/h (138 mph)
1 km, standing start, non-streamlined
219 km/h (136 mph)
¼ mile, standing start, non-streamlined
156 km/h (96 mph)
¼ mile, standing start, partially streamlined
149 km/h (92 mph)
Over 300 kg class
1 km, flying start, partially streamlined
408 km/h (253 mph)
1 mile, flying start, partially streamlined
404 km/h (251 mph)
1 mile, flying start, non-streamlined
367 km/h (228 mph)
1 km, flying start, non-streamlined
364 km/h (226 mph)
1 mile, standing start, partially streamlined
255 km/h (158 mph)
1 km, standing start, partially streamlined
216 km/h (134 mph)
1 mile, standing start, non-streamlined
216 km/h (134 mph)
¼ mile, standing start, non-streamlined
153 km/h (95 mph)
¼ mile, standing start, partially streamlined
142 km/h (88 mph)
¼ mile, flying start, partially streamlined: 394.45 km/h (245.10 mph) – no previous record
¼ mile, flying start, non-streamlined: 357.19 km/h (221.95 mph) – no previous record
1 km, flying start, partially streamlined: 386.35 km/h (240.07 mph – previous record: 329.31 km/h (204.62 mph)
¼ mile, standing start, non-streamlined: 126.20 km/h (78.42 mph) – no previous record
¼ mile, standing start, partially streamlined: 127.30 km/h (79.10 mph) – previous record: 87.16 km/h (54.16 mph)
1 km, standing start, non-streamlined: 185.56 km/h (115.30 mph) – no previous record
1 km, standing start, partially streamlined: 191.84 km/h (119.20 mph) – previous record: 122.48 km/h (76.11 mph)
1 mile, standing start, non-streamlined: 222.82 km/h (138.45 mph) – no previous record
1 mile, standing start, partially streamlined: 225.01 km/h (139.81 mph) – no previous record
1 mile, flying start, non-streamlined: 349,35 km/h (217.14 mph) – no previous record
1 mile, flying start, partially streamlined: 366,94 km/h (228.05 MPH) – previous record: 329,085 km/h (204 mph)
Engine : Mercedes-Benz EQ electric engine
Maximum Power : 320 kW (435 HP)
Battery pack : Lithium-ion – 829V – 5kWh
Cooling : Liquid, by water/dry ice heat exchanger
Length : 2700 mm
Seat height : 685 mm
Wheelbase : 1957 mm
Weight : 296 kg
Front suspension : dual swingarm with central shock absorber + offset handlebar with link rods
Rear suspension : dual swingarm with central shock absorber
Tyres : Michelin Power RS+ (Front: 120/70 ZR17 / Rear: 190/55 ZR17)
Rear brake : 305mm disc – 4-piston calliper
Italian rider Max Biaggi has been chosen to take on this challenge, astride the Voxan Wattman. The six-time world champion has form when it comes to blazing a spectacular trail, having previously set a world speed record on an electric motorcycle back in 1994 (164.2 km/h on a Fazi Egraf).
Mad Max boasts an impressive CV that includes four 250cc World Championship titles and two World Superbike Championship titles. He is also twice Vice-World Champion in the 500cc category.
Over the course of a truly outstanding career in various world motorcycle championship categories, Max clocked up no fewer than 111 victories and 56 pole positions.
Max Biaggi on the Wattman
Voxan team
Gildo Pastor and Max Biaggi
Max Biaggi and Louis-Marie Blondel
Voxan team and Max Biaggi
Max Biaggi on the Wattman
Max Biaggi on the Wattman
ice heat exchanger
Max Biaggi on the naked Wattman
Voxan Wattman
Voxan Wattman wheelbase
Rear of the Wattman
Nose of the Wattman
Max Biaggi, Gildo Pastor and Sacha Lakic
Max Biaggi testing the bike’s ergonomics at Voxan's headquarters
