Why You Can Trust CNET New Dragonfly Hyperscooter Is a Rare 4-Wheel Electric Scooter
Why ride on two wheels, when you can use four?
This unusual-looking ridable looks like a beefed-up skateboard with a steering column, but it's really a four-wheel electric scooter called the Dragonfly Hyperscooter. Despite the extra axle, it weighs less than 40 pounds, and can hit a top speed of 25 mph.
At least based on the specs and images I've seen, this is one electric scooter I'm very eager to test drive. It's currently available as a preorder from UK-based Dragonfly, with an expected ship date in December.
The Dragonfly Hyperscooter is powered by a removable key lock 48-volt battery and dual 550-watt motors with a peak output of 1,650 watts. With three riding modes, D1 (beginner, 10 mph), D2 (intermediate, 15 mph) and D3 (Pro, 25 mph), it has four-wheel steering along with a dual adjustable wishbone suspension for stiffness. You can choose between urban or all-terrain 10-inch pneumatic rubber tires upon purchase. The all-terrain ones are textured for off-road use, but wouldn't feel as smooth on city streets.
Aside from the tire choice, the Dragonfly comes in two body versions. The DF (£2,500, or about $2,720 or AU$4,175 converted) is narrower, and good for urban streets and parks. The DFX (£3,000, or roughly $3,265 or AU$5,000) is for off-road riding, with wider fenders and handguards. Both scooters have electric front brakes, a mechanical rear drum brake and a carbon-fiber deck.
Read more: Best Electric Scooter for 2022
The Hyperscooter is rated to travel approximately 50 miles on a full charge, but that may vary depending on conditions like rider size and terrain. Charge time is listed at three hours. Take this with a grain of salt, as manufacturer quotes are typically not what we see in the real world.
Both versions come with a 3.5-inch digital display that shows current speed, trip range, ride mode, light status and battery. It can also provide spoken navigation, a horn and ride sounds with the accessory sound pod. The scooter can be connected to smartphones via an app, and has twin headlights, front and rear LED pulsing turn signals and a brake light.
Both scooters have built-in security, and a four-digit passcode to enable and disable the system. There's also a built-in GPS and an audible alarm; if something happens, the scooter can be located via the tracker.
According to Dragonfly, these preorders should ship in December, but they're coming from the UK, so shipping, which is not yet listed, may be exorbitant for riders in the US and elsewhere in the world.