VARG is Swedish for strong wolf and with 80 horsepower it certainly has some fangs. With customisable power modes that can mimic anything from a 125 cc two-stroke to a 650 cc four-stroke, it can also play many different characters.
The bike’s power curve, engine-braking, traction control and virtual flywheel weight can be tuned in a few seconds and through as many as 100 ride ‘modes’.
The chassis is a combination of carbon-fibre, magnesium and aerospace grade aluminium which along with the 32 kg – 6kWh battery system sees the manufacturer claim a ready to ride weight of 110 kg. That’s a power to weight ratio that bests anything else currently racing on motocross tracks.
The company also claim a riding range comparable to a conventional 450 motocrosser, six-hours of trail riding, or an MXGP race distance at maximum attack. Recharge times are quoted as 1-2 hours.
For those that know about such EV things Stark claims that their ‘powerplant has been forged with advanced tech and ideas, such as the patent-pending magnesium honeycomb casing, ‘slippery-fingers’ cell holders, a pressure relief system and a one-sided powerboard configuring the battery cells. The ‘flying V’ system connects every cell directly to the tough, waterproof casing. This brings high conductivity to the air-cooled structure. The result is a very even and regular battery temperature that removes unnecessary weight for water or vapour cooling.’ Also, no radiators, fuel tank or air-box means that the VARG should offer great ergonomics.
Stark has not tried to reinvent the wheel when it comes to suspension and uses industry standard Kayaba forks and shock.
The company plans to self-distribute in Australia and that an Australian location and warehouse is currently being finalised. Pricing in Europe is 11,900 EURO which translates to around $19,000 AUD.
Watch this space for more information on this new direction for MX in Australia once it lands downunder next year.
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