COLOGNE SHOW: XOR folding scooter

When a business normally talks about ‘folding’, the only people who really prick their ears are the receivers.

But let us introduce a circuit-breaker. Among the big-ticket new releases at this year’s INTERMOT show in Cologne was a stand featuring three folding electric scooters from French company XOR (Xtraordinary objects on the Road) Motors.

The range includes the 50cc-equivalent 2.5kW and 4.0kW models with top speeds of around 45km/h, and the 125cc-like 8kW power monger that can hit around 120km/h. And torque, like on all electric models, is instantaneous.

They are certainly interesting points of reference, but what intrigues us is the shrinking bit, which sees all three contract from 1750mm long, 760mm wide and 1100mm high in riding configuration to 1020mm, 420mm and 700mm when folded.

That can be executed in around 20 seconds, as we were shown in Cologne, while the battery forms a separate hard shell on wheels.

But the XORs are certainly no flyweights, with the 8.0kW model (including the battery) weighing a total of 83kg.

According to Gizmag, the 4kW and 8kW Urban Transporter scooters are already in production for 2100 and 3100 euro respectively but, like most toys on Christmas morning, don’t come with batteries. The lithium-polymer batteries for the two models cost 2000 and 3000 euro, and charging is around two hours.