E-bike specialist VanMoof makes a comeback with the S6 series

In September 2023, VanMoof found a new owner in Lavoie, a British supplier of electric pedal controllers owned by McLaren Applied. VanMoof was insolvent at the time. The company is now celebrating its return under the leadership of McLaren Applied with the S6 series – the first new model in three years. The bike will initially be available in the Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium, with the UK following later in the year. It is “more powerful, safer and smarter than anything that has gone before,” the company claims.

One thing is clear: VanMoof remains true to its design philosophy with the S6, but has made a few changes to its previous bikes: For example, the frame look of the S6 has been further reduced and refined. This also applies to the S6 Open, which, like previous models, is aimed at smaller riders. The S6 series comes in three new, striking colours: Electric Blue, Drift Black and Pearl Mint.

Technically, the new model works with the familiar front wheel hub motor with 68 Nm torque in combination with a 487 Wh battery. A range of between 60 and 150 kilometres is specified. So far, so familiar. However, the manufacturer states that the boost button now reacts faster and more smoothly. The Gen 6 Kick Lock is more robust, waterproof and can be activated with a tap of the foot. The tried-and-tested anti-theft system has also been further developed: “With even more precise location tracking – in addition to Apple Find My integration,” according to an accompanying press release, although certification is still pending.

According to VanMoof, the Control Core – the centrepiece of all functions – has also been completely revised and is now “the most powerful system that has ever powered a VanMoof.” A suspension seat post for more comfort on uneven roads and the Ride Plus app subscription are also available as options.

“We asked ourselves: how do you improve the most advanced, connected and feature-rich e-bike on the market? The answer is to take everything that makes VanMoof what it is – and make it better,” comments Eliott Wertheimer, Co-CEO of VanMoof. “We’ve analysed feedback from thousands of riders and refined every feature. From safety and reliability to connectivity – but above all, we have optimised the riding experience itself. As soon as you sit on an S6 series bike, you immediately notice that it rides smoother, more responsive and more intuitive than anything we’ve done before. Combined with better maintainability and serviceability, this makes the S6 series our ultimate bike.”

The S6 and S6 Open are available now for € 3,298. Customers can reserve the bikes now for €150. VanMoof has announced deliveries for August. Until then, the predecessor S5 and A5 can still be ordered at the reduced price of €2,998.

At the time of the takeover by McLaren Applied and its subsidiary Lavoie in 2023, the parties involved announced their intention to further develop and expand VanMoof’s e-bike business. A purchase price was not officially stated at the time, but Nick Fry, the head of McLaren Applied, told Reuters at the time that an investment of “tens of millions” of pounds would be required in the short term, including the capital required to stabilise VanMoof. “This is a great opportunity for us because VanMoof is a company with an excellent product,” said Fry at the time. “But it’s not going to be a walk in the park because this company has put itself in a difficult financial position.”

VanMoof, which started out as a small manufacturer of high-quality e-bikes, had focused on high volumes over the course of time, but at the same time maintained its warranty promises for marketing reasons. However, the focus on high volumes led to a decline in production quality. As a result, high costs for warranty claims placed an enormous economic burden on the company, culminating in insolvency in July 2023.

McLaren Applied was founded as a technology division and supplier within the McLaren Group, which has been built around the McLaren Formula 1 team since 1985. The companies include the racing team McLaren Racing and the sports car manufacturer McLaren Automotive. McLaren Applied (formerly McLaren Applied Technologies) was sold to a financial investor in 2021.

vanmoof.com (in German)