Electric vehicles are not just for eco-conscious consumers, their quiet operation makes them ideal for military applications, too. And that’s why the US Special Forces commissioned Zero Motorcycles to develop the MMX, the military’s next off-road stealth motorcycle.
Going silently off-road isn’t the two-wheeled vehicle’s only special talents either: it can also operate while submerged in water up to one meter deep, as well as possessing clandestine blackout capabilities (it comes with infrared lighting systems for use when the rider is traveling at night). Basically, it’s going to be Captain America’s motorcycle of choice the next time he goes on a mission to covertly destroy a Red Skull facility deep in the mountains. Or something like that.
Piling on the stealthy powers, the Zero Motorcycles MMX comes with a keyless ignition, no intake or exhaust, and near-soundless operation even on rough terrain. It’s painted in matte black, as well, so it can completely disappear in the dark. No details were laid out about the guts of the ride, although it will come with modular power packs that allow the driver to switch out each of the two-hour range batteries in less than a minute.
Since the motorcycle has been designed according to military specifications, it will remain a military-only vehicle. That’s right, your dreams of owning a superhero-quality electric motorcycle will continue to be a dream — no sales to the general public. Zero, however, will be incorporating the powertrain enhancements performed on the motorcycles to their general line, so you can get something with a little Special Forces in it all the same.
[via RT]