The XKP80: The Made in Italy Scooter Arrives in France!
We’ve been waiting, and now it’s finally hitting our streets: the Askoll XKP80, an electric scooter straight from Italy that’s light, nimble, and super connected. With its sleek design and impressive performance, it promises to be a real gem for urban commuting. But how does this little ride stack up in the crowded arena of electric scooters? Can it carve out a niche among established competitors like the MQi GT Evo or models from Easy-Watts? Let’s take a closer look!
Performance: A Motor That Delivers
Where this electric scooter truly shines is in its performance. The Askoll XKP80 is equipped with a 4.1 kW motor (about 5.6 horsepower), with a torque of 160 Nm. It might not be the most powerful bike on the market, but for an urban scooter, it’s more than adequate. It reaches a maximum speed of 50 mph, which is perfect for city commutes and even for venturing onto suburban roads.
Range and Charging: Staying on Track
We all know that range is a crucial factor for any electric ride. The Askoll XKP80 delivers a range of 63 miles on a single charge, thanks to its removable 1.7 kWh batteries (weighing 18 pounds each). In other words, it’s more than capable of handling your daily urban commutes without a hitch. And when it’s time to recharge, it’s a breeze: just plug the batteries into a domestic outlet, and in six hours, they’re good to go again.
The “Boost” Feature: Zooming Through Traffic
And here’s a cool little bonus: the “Boost” function. It’s a handy button on the handlebars that lets you unleash the scooter’s full power for short bursts. Picture this: you’re stuck in heavy traffic, trying to overtake a sluggish taxi… Just press the button, and off you go! It’s the fun factor of the scooter, and it does its job well when you need to avoid getting stuck in traffic jams.
Connected and Smart: The XKP80 2.0
This scooter is not just electric and high-performing; it’s also ultra-connected. The myAskoll app allows you to control your scooter remotely: you can start it, track its location, log your rides, and even monitor your carbon footprint. Sure, it might feel a bit gimmicky to track your carbon footprint via an app, but it’s a neat feature to manage your scooter from your smartphone. It’s like your bike has its own digital brain!
Competitive Price, But…
Here’s where there might be a slight snag. At around $5,700, the XKP80 isn’t the cheapest electric scooter out there. But when compared to similar models, like those from competitors like Easy-Watts or Niu, it’s fairly competitive in terms of price. However, for riders who are looking for a truly premium model with more powerful motors or a more refined aesthetic, this scooter might not meet those needs. It firmly sits in the practical but not groundbreaking segment of urban electric scooters.
