Livewire has released the S2 Alpinsta, its fourth electric motorcycle overall and the third model on the S2 Arrow platform. Like the previous two models – Mulholland and Del Mar, the Alpinsta targets a micro-niche in the market while using the same mechanicals and electricals as the other two.
The first model of the S2 range, the Del Mar, is a flat-tracker with 18”/18” wheels, while the S2 Mulholland rides on 19”/17” wheels. The S2 Alpinsta is the most street-standard of the lot and rides on 17”/17” wheels, front and rear.
Any slight differences in performance are due to the different driven-wheel sizes. The S2 Del Mar offers a range of 113 miles (181 km), while the S2 Mulholland and the S2 Alpinsta claim 120 miles (192 km).
Livewire sales are not picking up, and quarterly losses have been mounting. The Alpinsta would likely boost numbers somewhat, but it is unlikely that the incremental volume would be significant. The Alpinsta is the cheapest S2 in the Livewire showroom. However, the price differences are minor – it undercuts the Mulholland by USD 250 and the Del Mar by USD 500.
Also not very significant are the physical and performance differences between the three motorcycles. The mechanical and electrical components are harmonized, and the designers can only explore three micro-niches within the street-standard/bruiser cruiser segment; we cannot expect radically different designs to emerge.
Impact
These are three different flavors of chocolate ice cream, with subtle differences, and just an expansion of the S2 theme. The Del Mar, Mulholland, and now the Alpinsta target the same customer pool with slightly different variants. The additional sales would be minor.
