ELECTRIC / ARC B500X

DESIGN

Meet the EV Alchemists - Arc

Arc is the groundbreaking electric motorcycle company which takes a detour from the norm in search of fresh terrain and new frontiers, on a mission to explore the Earth in state-of-the-art style, combined with a promise to try and protect it. A team of visionary design and engineering specialists, assembled for their attitude as much as their skill, it’s not surprising that they have developed the most advanced electric motorcycle ever brought to market.

Based in Coventry, England, at the heart of the UK’s global-leading HighPerformance Automotive Engineering cluster, the idea for Arc was born out of Jaguar Land Rover’s White Space ‘skunk works’, an innovation lab previously headed by Arc Founder & CEO Mark Truman.

The Arc Vector is a motorcycle like no other, the embodiment of Mark Truman’s mission to change the way we think about motorbikes and build a thrilling, sustainable and safe technological marvel for a new world order. Arc is brave, uncompromising, and restless, facilitating dreams of escape and in hot pursuit of perfection on a road never before travelled. A Bike as individual as you are, the Arc Vector is a beautiful combination of the finest materials: a perfect balance of sustainability, performance and aesthetic mastery that reflects the Arc philosophy.

The Arc Vector utilises exotic and sustainable materials, thoroughbred componentry, cutting-edge architecture, and technological innovations that have never been applied to two-wheeled transport before. From its frameless battery monocoque construction (the battery is the chassis), unique front end suspension system and carbon fibre everything, the Vector drips innovation. It’s this combination of F1 stye technical prowess, ultimate customer journey and a level of exclusivity not before seen in the motorcycle market that makes it one of the most lusted-after EVs to ever enter production. All Vectors are hand built in the UK and completely individual to their owner, no 2 are ever the same. Clients go through a 6-month process with the company to tailor the Vector to their preferences. Ergonomics are set for each owner, with new foot control and handlebar positions machined bespoke for the riders required poise. Colour and materials choices are included, within reason, in the standard price range. When asked about what this level of personalisation meant for 2nd owners – Mark’s response was simple “you don’t sell an Arc motorcycle”.

The Arc Vector by B500X Introducing the two Arc vector B500X Special Editions, ‘Stripe & Fade’ designed and built by a team of visionary engineering specialists.

A word from Arc Vehicle founder / Mark Truman The opportunity for us to collaborate with B500X on this very special brace of B500X liveried Arc Vector’s was an obvious one. We have a very similar customer base and the reputation and outreach of B500X is completely aligned with where Arc want our products to be. The professionalism of Del and his team at B500X means the project has been a joy to work on and we look forward to collaborating on other projects in the future. These B500X Vector machines are incredibly special and come with never to be repeated features including colour and material specification. The pinnacle of motorcycling design, technology and exclusivity all wrapped together in these Arc Vector B500X Special Editions.

A word from B500X founder / Del Gregory I am delighted to announce the latest project for B500X Design. An exciting opportunity to design and produce just two special edition Arc Vector ‘B500X’ Edition electric motorcycles. Based on the ARC Vector, which is the most advanced electric motorcycle on the market, B500X are delighted to announce two very special editions. Each of our two custom electric Arc Vector motorcycles are produced in B500X colours, code named ‘Stripe’ & ‘Fade’. Only one of each will be available, in keeping with our philosophy of special limited editions and making each one in either B500X Stripe or B500X Fade a unique one-of-one customer experience.

Arc Vector – Machines that feel like Second Nature. The Arc Vector is a truly unique motorcycle and Arc are rewriting the rules of motorcycle design. They are not just putting together a frame with a battery, motor, and a set of forks, this is a new construction philosophy – almost every idea, concept, component, and technique is new. Arc are building their perfect motorcycle.

All this innovation is then wrapped in a breathtakingly futuristic body with postmodern nods to café racers past. Designed by non-conformist motorcycle mavericks for spirited and eco-conscious individuals, the Vector unites world-first technology, best-in-class performance, quality, and unrivalled levels of exclusivity.

Unique to You the Arc Vector is a beautiful combination of the finest materials: a perfect balance of sustainability, performance and aesthetic mastery that reflects the Arc philosophy. Forensic attention to detail ensures every piece is optimised for purpose. Arc has a close relationship with all its customers. The entire package is made to order, with a choice of colours, materials, and optional design features. All at the standard list price.

Part of the customer journey to owning a Vector includes a tailoring session with an Arc designer. Working with you to create your dream colour and material finish. During this session, your measurements will be taken so the Vector can be tuned to create the perfect geometry for you - so you can be in it, not on it.

Mark says “We really grasped the nettle with both hands. A group of experienced and talented individuals, some of the best in their individual fields from the motorsports and OEM arenas, that wanted to do something different. Engineers that have been shackled, by regulation, cost, or a brands inherent design language. This was about giving the engineers and designers the opportunity to create the ultimate motorcycle from a blank piece of paper with a legacy free approach and with as few compromises as possible”. The result is the ground-breaking Arc Vector. It’s comes as no surprise that the alchemists at Arc are also involved in developing electric vehicles for a number of 2-and-4 wheel OEM clients through their services arm Arc Design. From their own 2 wheeled products to secret hypercar projects (they wouldn’t give us the detail!) it seems that Arc technology is certainly in demand.

What makes the Vector so special? The Ultimate combination of man and machine. The Arc Vector is the most advanced electric motorcycle on the planet, providing a sensory and emotional experience never before applied to such a vehicle. In short, Vector strives to be the most sustainable and most fulfilling bike ever created. The rider sits astride a handmade motorcycle with lightweight carboncomposite structure and ingeniously elegant battery module monocoque, which

is as clean and efficient as it is beautiful to behold. Rather than utilising a frame/ chassis, the Arc battery philosophy is a unique and ground-breaking one that redefines how electric vehicles will be made. Arc deploy a battery module monocoque which replaces the frame maximising package space, performance, range, and weight reduction. The beautiful black a-surface of the motorcycle is the battery, there are no addition covers or panniers to cover up the technology, Arc’s philosophy is to make beautiful batteries, in the same way that custom bike builders would leave their craftsmanship open for others to admire. The Vector’s styling brings to mind the classic spirit of a British café racer, a symbol of freedom and high fashion that stands for peerless handling and debonair attitude. It is also jaw-droppingly modern, taking not only the very latest technological innovations and employing many for the first time on a motorbike, but sculpting the machine from a futuristic yet classically inspired vision. Its feather weight solves one of the headaches normally attributed to brick battery EVs, and it has MotoGP levels of stiffness so that there’s zero compromise on the riding experience. Vector utilises carbon swingarms front and rear, custom made Ohlins dampers for telepathic handling and feedback, and meaty Brembo brakes on anorexic BST wheels. The entire package tips the scales at 230kg, which is almost 60kg lighter than comparable machines. Vector has the best power-toweight ratio of any electric motorcycle of its class by a considerable margin and rapidly achieves a top speed of 200 kph and goes from 0-60 in 3 seconds dead. These attributes where demonstrated in abundance when the Vector headlined at the Goodwood festival of Speed.

What was the original concept of the Vector bike? “The concept was to try and design the best performance electric motorcycle. The design brief was if the term “cafe racer” was going to be coined in ten years’ time - what would that look like? The design inspiration came from an electric violin. Everything that is required to perform the art is present, but everything else that does not need to be there has been removed. It is about purity of design. Stripping back to something that feels elemental”.

Why? A voice for change This goes beyond engineering, it’s a revolutionary new attitude, Arc is a family bound together through passions and philosophies. “We conquer frontiers. For us. For you. For our planet. Our road is a different road.” Arc has a code, to try and find the perfect balance, the line of best fit to get the best results with the resources the world has to offer. For instance, there is little point in making a motorcycle out of 100% sustainable materials if the result is a kerb weight 500kg and a range of 5 miles. It’s about making the best compromises, to deliver the most optimised end result...

Mark is the largest shareholder in Arc. A committed environmentalist, the designer and engineer won the Society of Automotive Engineers International Young Engineer of the Year Award in 2005 for his experimental work on motorcycle chassis and swing arm flex and design parameters. He has worked in motorsport as a data acquisition engineer and has 35 years of motorcycling experience. He’s spent time at Saab, Ford, and Aston Martin, and headed Jaguar Land Rover’s White Space radical innovations incubator before establishing Arc. As well as being an engineering visionary, Mark is first and foremost a passionate motorcyclist. Since his teens he has been building and modifying all manner of motorcycles, as well as racing on short tracks and motocross. Eco-conscious to the hilt, Mark lives on a sustainable smallholding in Wales.

Where is Arc right now? After a successful company launch, Arc goes from strength to strength with preproduction underway on 10 very special Limited-Edition Vectors. Rumour has it the owners of those limited-edition Arc Vector will become an Arc Ambassador and become an integral part in the further development of some incredible new technology. Arc are in the process of developing the world’s first full integrated Head Up Display (HUD) helmet and a ground-breaking Haptic Jacket. This 3-part system will bring an all-new connection between Man and Machine, providing visual, audible, and physical sensory feedback and notifications to provide the rider with addition performance and safety-based awareness. The Origin Haptic Jacket is professionally tailored, and a full head scan will facilitate the creation of a unique Zenith helmet for each owner.

The order book is open, and the first customers will receive their own bespoke, customised Vector during Q1 2022.