When does an electric scooter stop being an electric scooter? Even with the addition of four wheels, two motors, and a 3.5-inch touchscreen to the carbon frame, according to British manufacturer D-Fly.
Yes ladies and gentlemen – if you’re looking for an e-scooter that will make viewers mistake you for Batman on the way to work, look no further than Dragonfly.
Called by the creators “the world’s first HyperScooter”, this strikingly clad e-scooter claims to be the urban equivalent of a supercar, offering drivers a new and innovative way to travel around the city. But does Dragonfly have a chance to break into our ranking of the best electric scooters in the world? Let’s take a look at its specs to find out.
The most conspicuous feature of the Dragonfly is, of course, its four-wheel design. Both versions of the e-scooter – the urban DF and the off-road DFX – feature D-Fly’s patented three-dimensional full pitch steering system that engages all four wheels simultaneously for enhanced stability and control.
Both models have 10-inch tires, although each has a slightly different tread.
This four-wheel setup is supported by a double-wishbone suspension (a first in the electric scooter market), fully adjustable spring suspension with hydraulic shock absorption, adjustable deck suspension and full axle articulation – all housed under the wide carbon Dragonfly platform. In other words, this thing will move under harsh conditions under your feet – natural or otherwise – keeping you at the highest possible level if you want to hit dirty paths after a hard day at the office.
Under its symbolic bonnet, Dragonfly houses two 550W motors that can deliver up to 1,650W of power to all four wheels, enough to propel you to a top speed of 25mph (40km / h), according to D-Fly. By comparison, the top three picks in our current ranking of the best electric scooters (US) boast top speeds of 18.6mph, 20mph, and 19mph, respectively – so Dragonfly certainly has the pace on its side.
Unfortunately, in many US states, electric scooters cannot legally exceed speeds of 20mph (in the UK this figure drops to as much as 12.5mph), so Dragonfly’s excellent power credentials may prove redundant for most city bikers. Still, it’s good to know that you’ll be able to hit the maximum speed limit with ease, or release properly if you go off-road.
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Gadgets galore
More relevant, then, is the Dragonfly set of on-board technologies – which, frankly, sounds like it could compete with some low-cost cars. Both scooter models are equipped with a 3.5-inch digital screen that shows the rider his speed, range, lighting status, battery performance and mode options, while other features such as onboard driving sounds, voice navigation and electric horn are available via the attached audio accessory.
You’ll also be able to lock down Dragonfly with a four-digit pin, which disables the scooter’s electronic system until it’s re-introduced – and considering we’re talking about the city’s supercar counterpart, as described by D-Fly, this feature is likely to come in handy.
So the Dragonfly is a fast, highly versatile, high-tech e-scooter that’s built to withstand any outdoor conditions – but how much does it cost? Well that’s bad news.
Dragonfly is now available for purchase Indiegogo (opens in a new tab) for £ 1,750 (about $ 1,850) or £ 2,100 (about $ 2,200), depending on the model you choose. Suffice it to say that it’s a lot of money for an e-scooter – even one that if make you look and feel like Batman.
For comparison, our current top pick for US electric scooters, the Segway Ninebot Kickscooter Max, costs $ 999.99 (though it’s currently the on sale at Amazon (opens in a new tab) for $ 899.99), while our UK counterpart, the 2nd Gen Pure Air Pro costs £ 599.00.
The D-Fly may argue that since the Dragonfly has dual wheels, it should need to double the price, but it remains to be seen how much better driving experience this unique ‘HyperScooter’ design offers.