The electric two-wheeler space sees yet another addition, this time the Orxa Mantis, an electric motorcycle aimed at luring buyers in the 250cc segment. Priced at Rs 3.60 lakh ex-showroom, the Orxa Mantis is not just another product from a startup taking advantage of the EV space, but, a motorcycle designed and developed over the years by a company with experience in the aerospace department.
The Mantis has been in development for over six years now and the current two-wheeler form of the Mantis has been in development since 2017. Orxa Energies showcased the Mantis in 2019 at India Bike Week (IBW), however, the motorcycle has been under constant development and even set a 13,510km record for travelling around India. A lot has also changed from what was showcased at IBW, and in its final production version, the Mantis looks ready for the hunt.
Compared to any of the previous prototypes, the production-spec Mantis is lighter, and the company has tweaked several components such as the battery pack, which is now lighter and is a stressed member of the frame, and the frame itself, making the motorcycle lighter and more nimble. The production version uses an aluminium subframe, which has also contributed towards making the Mantis more agile.
Speaking of looks, the Mantis features an angular design, with a sculpted tank, split seats, and a short rear section. The front fascia is unmistakable, giving the Mantis name more definition with a twin headlight setup and a unique DRL. The Mantis features telescopic forks, alloy wheels, a monoshock at the rear, disc brakes at both ends, LED lighting, and minimal bodywork.
Coming to the heart of the Mantis, the all-electric motorcycle gets a 8.9kWh battery pack while the company claims an IDC range of 221km. The Mantis can accelerate from 0-100kmph in 8.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 135kmph. The battery pack can be charged from 0 to 80% in 2.5 hours using a 3.3kW fast charger.
In terms of bookings and deliveries, Orxa Energies has opened bookings for all on its official website. Earlier, the Mantis was available to book only for those who attended track days, but now, the company has decided to open bookings for all. Deliveries of the Orxa Mantis will start early next year in a phased manner, starting with Bengaluru.
