Kawasaki takes another step towards its long-term goal of carbon neutrality with the introduction of the world's first mass-produced petrol/electric hybrid motorcycle, the Ninja 7 Hybrid.
Kawasaki officially presents its first hybrid motorcycle with electric motor: the Ninja 7 Hybrid – After the recent debut in Paris of its new electric motorcycles that can be driven with an A1 license, the Ninja e-1 and the Z e-1, Kawasaki takes another step towards the long-term goal of carbon neutrality with the introduction of the former Strong Hybrid mass-produced in the world, the Ninja 7 Hybrid.
The path to decarbonization and the abandonment of hydrocarbon fuels is not through a silver bullet, but requires the development of various integrated technologies: non-fossil fuels, hydrogen, electric propulsion are the main ones. Each of these will have its scope of application and in some cases it will be necessary to resort to synergy between some of these. This is what Kawasaki did with the Ninja 7 Hybrid, its first motorcycle Strong Hybrid with internal combustion engine and electric motor produced by the Japanese company.
The heart of the Ninja 7 Hybrid is based on the combination of a new 451 cc four-stroke parallel twin engine, water-cooled, complete with manual or automatic gear selection, and an electric motor; an innovative combination in the world of motorcycles that offers a series of new riding experiences. The normal power of the powertrain is 43,5 kW, a value that rises to 51,1 kW thanks to the electric "e-boost".
In terms of size, the Ninja 7 Hybrid features a mid-size package that offers overall performance from 650cc to 700cc, with instant acceleration that rivals that of a 1.000cc supersport model from a standing start, thanks to the Kawasaki e-boost already present on its electric motorcycles. The Ninja 7 Hybrid offers fuel economy on par with the 250cc class. Additionally, drivers can switch between driving modes (SPORT-HYBRID, ECO-HYBRID, EV), each offering a distinct driving character to suit a wide range of situations.
Other innovations include Idle Stop, where the internal combustion engine stops to save fuel and reduce emissions, Automatic Launch Position Finder (ALPF) which, if selected, automatically selects first gear when the vehicle is stationary and the “walk” mode forwards and in reverse to facilitate low-speed maneuvers and parking.
Using a specially designed version of Kawasaki's popular trellis frame, the Ninja 7 Hybrid houses a compact powertrain consisting of a petrol engine, a 9kw max electric motor and a 48V lithium-ion battery. The position of the powertrain is close to the center point of the chassis to optimize weight distribution. In terms of style, the Ninja 7 Hybrid stands out with a unique colorway that combines a matte lime green undertail with silver and black bodywork intended to set this bike apart from the rest of the Kawasaki lineup.
The Ninja 7 Hybrid's EV mode can be useful in some situations where it is appropriate to drive silently, such as in residential areas or parking lots.
The first models of the Ninja 7 Hybrid will be in dealerships as early as January 2024.
Kawasaki previously announced a goal to release at least ten electric or hybrid motorcycles by 2025, as well as continuing to explore other options, maintaining its commitment to internal combustion engines. Among the zero-emission options there are both E-fuels and Bio-fuels as well as hydrogen.
Photos: Kawasaki
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