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Meet the Efesto hybrid Ducati with 299hp!

Meet the Efesto hybrid Ducati with 299hp!

French start-up Efesto has developed a hybrid drive kit system for motorcycles, delivering a scintillating 299hp in their Ducati Panigale 1299 prototype.

Efesto MD Luca Morfino contacted us to tell us they are serious about taking the hybrid kit to market after some more testing. There is no word on pricing yet.

We have written about several motorcycle manufacturers’ plans for hybrids, such as BMW, Furion, Honda, Kawasaki, TVS, Yamaha and even the US Army.

But the Efesto hybrid kit is the first we have head of that will attach to an existing fuel-powered bike.

It consists of a 100hp electric motor, battery pack and chain drive, plus electronic controls that allow the rider to select the Ducati engine, the electric motor or a combination of the two, yielding 299hp and 300Nm of torque.

Luca unveiled the Efesto protoype at the recent EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.

On the prototype, the electric motor sits underneath the bike, but Luca says it does not compromise clearance or lean angles.

Meet the Efesto hybrid Ducati with 299hp!
Electric motor

The inverter is hidden behind the radiator and the high-voltage battery pack is installed below the tail subframe. It looks a bit ugly, but it’s not as bad as some electric bikes we’ve seen.

Meet the Efesto hybrid Ducati with 299hp!
Battery pack

The electric motor is connected via chain to the secondary shaft.

Rider modesMeet the Efesto hybrid Ducati with 299hp!

Riders can select the power mode via a control on the left switchblock.

Mode 1 is purely Ducati’s 205hp L-twin engine. Meanwhile, the battery is being recharged by taking some of the engine’s power and through regenerative braking.

The battery can only be recharged via these methods using Efesto’s special software. You cannot plug in the battery to the mains to recharge.

To select mode 2 for pure electric drive, the rider has to select neutral and switch off the Ducati engine.Meet the Efesto hybrid Ducati with 299hp!

In this mode, it is twist-and-go like a scooter with no gears.

Luca claims it will ride for 30 to 40 minutes in urban traffic below 70km/h.

He says this makes it legal to ride in some CBDs where there are emissions restrictions.

In mode 3, or “Boost” mode, the Ducati engine and electric motor share drive.

Mode 4 is a custom mode where the rider can set their desired combination of torque and power.

Efesto hybrid Ducati tech specsMeet the Efesto hybrid Ducati with 299hp!

Since the Panigale weighs 190kg with a full tank and this prototype weighs 194kg dry, the electric motor, inverter and battery must weigh about 20kg.

Luca says they have patents for the “anti-spinning and anti-wheeling” electric control system and the counter-rotating electric motor.

Internal Combustion Engine

Engine type

Superquadro: L-twin cylinder, 4 valve per cylinder, Desmodromic, liquid cooled.

Displacement

1285cc

Bore x stroke

116 x 60.8mm

Power

143kW (205hp) @ 10,500rpm

Torque

145Nm @ 8750rpm

Electric Motor Generator

Motor type

Axial Flux Synchronous Motors and Generator

Liquid cooled

IP 65

Weight

9.4kg

Diameter ø / width

208/85mm

Rated battery voltage

355Vdc

Peak Power

80kW (108 HP)

Peak Torque

150Nm

Torque

150Nm

Meet the Efesto hybrid Ducati with 299hp!

Chassis

Frame

Aluminium box

Front Suspension

MUPO SBK 46mm

Front Wheel

Marchesini forged 3,50” x 17”

Front Tyre

Dunlop Sportmax D213 GP PRO-2 120/70 ZR17

Rear Suspension

Sachs

Rear Wheel

Marchesini forged 5.50” x 17”

Rear Tyre

Dunlop Sportmax D213 GP PRO-2 200/60 ZR17

Wheel Travel (front/rear)

120mm (4,72 in) – 130mm (5,12 in)

Front Brake

2 x 320mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo 4-piston callipers, with Bosch ABS

Rear Brake

245mm disc, 2-piston calliper, with Bosch ABS

Meet the Efesto hybrid Ducati with 299hp!

Dimensions and Weights

Dry weight

194kg

Seat

850mm

Wheelbase

1460mm

Rake

24°

Front Wheel Trail

96mm

Fuel Tank Capacity

17 litres

Number of Seats

One seat