VELOCE MOTORCYCLES

Veloce Ethereal: new 145 hp two-stroke café racer

Two-stroke motorcycles continue to spark enthusiasm, and a new project aims to revive this philosophy using modern technology. Enter the Veloce Ethereal, a café racer powered by an engine rarely seen today: a 500cc, inline-four, two-stroke unit.

The engine was developed to deliver 145 hp—an output typically found in larger-displacement motorcycles. The project seeks to combine the performance characteristics of two-stroke engines with a chassis and aesthetic inspired by classic design.

The word "Ethereal," according to the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), signifies something sublime, volatile, unreal, abstract, pure, elevated...A meaning that could well apply to the engine, which acts as a self-supporting element anchored to the multitubular chassis. We are referring to the 500cc two-stroke V4 engine, capable of delivering 145 hp at 12,000 rpm.

Veloce Motorcycles is not talking about a 500cc two-stroke V4 engine, but rather an L4: four cylinders arranged in two banks of two at a 90-degree angle. It utilizes two crankshafts—much like the Veloce Aperion with its X8 engine, which, naturally, has double the displacement. The Ethereal features a laser-cut aluminum 4-into-4 exhaust system optimized for the two-stroke engine. The single-sided rear swingarm, located on the left side, is machined from aluminum.

The Veloce Ethereal features café racer styling, including a half-fairing, a single-seat tail section, and a sporty riding position. The package is complemented by high-quality suspension and braking components designed to optimize the engine's performance.

The development of this motorcycle aims to demonstrate that two-stroke engines still have a place in high-performance projects, utilizing current technical solutions to meet modern demands.

For now, the Veloce Ethereal remains a project in development, with neither a launch date nor a price confirmed. However, its specifications and mechanical configuration make it one of the most impressive offerings in the classic-inspired motorcycle segment.

On the other hand, forget about traction control, anti-wheelie systems, slip management, and other safety features. Nothing has been specified in this regard. And sincethe Aperion doesn’t have any of these features despite its 280 ch, why would Veloce install them on a machine that’s half as powerful?

The Ethereal prefers to be equipped with more “tangible” features, such as a large inverted fork, a machined aluminum single-sided swingarm, large brake rotors front and rear, a very aggressive riding position, a radiator tucked away in the rear (like the old Benelli Tornados), laser-sintered alloy exhausts, and a minimalist steel-tube frame.

For die-hard enthusiasts only...The weight is unknown, but it won’t be heavy. Unlike the price, which is expected to easily exceed 50,000 euros. The brand has announced that the Ethereal will be slightly cheaper than its big brother, which costs nearly 90,000 euros.

In any case, when you love something...you go all out, right? Because once you’ve cleared the price hurdle, you’ll need to stay highly motivated: only 48 units of the Veloce 500 Ethereal will be produced, and they’ll be street-legal only in the United Kingdom. As for Euro 5+ emissions standards and rider-assistance features? It leaves them in the dust.

 

by Autonews