Torqeedo launches updated electric outboards
Torqeedo has launched an updated category of its electric outboards, the Travel family, which will be available in early 2024.
“The new Travel family marks the opening of a new chapter of Torqeedo products. The original Travel was Torqeedo’s first product and the one that disrupted an industry. A true icon that now has been redefined,” said Fabian Bez, CEO of Torqeedo. “The new line-up serves an even broader range of boating applications, adds many user-centric features and allows boaters to fully customize their Travel experience to meet their individual needs. The customers’ demands are at the very core of our product development – resulting in the Travel XP. Our latest product with up to 1,600W input power clearly closes a gap in the market.”
The new Travel family’s modular design starts with four packages to choose from – Adventure, Essential, Range and Power. The Adventure package pairs a 1,100W Travel and a 1,080Wh battery with a mounting and steering system that gets kayak anglers quickly and stealthily to their spots. The Essential package is the original Travel, redefined. It pairs a 1,100W outboard motor with a 1,080Wh battery. The Range package substitutes a higher-capacity battery (1,425Wh) for when customers want to spend all day on the water, taking boaters even further. The Power package propels bigger boats, boats on coastal waters and boats that routinely experience windy, wavy conditions with its heavy-duty 1,600W direct-drive motor and 1,425Wh battery. Once the package is selected, a multitude of charging, propeller and accessory options are available for customization.
Thomas Wiedemann, senior vice president of global program management at Torqeedo, added, “These innovative outboards are designed to be ultra-easy to use, transport and stow, and the click-and-play battery means no more cables to connect. Once the battery is removed with a click and the tiller is folded, the compact and lightweight motor is easy to hand up and down to the dinghy, fits easily in a lazarette and won’t leak fuel and oil while stored.”
The included 180W charger cuts charge times in half, and a backlit, full-color display takes Torqeedo’s user interface with onboard GPS-calculated real-time range and runtime and makes it easier to read. TorqLink, Torqeedo’s advanced communications protocol, and Bluetooth and wi-fi are built in so owners can connect with Torqeedo’s new smartphone app, TorqView. The app enables a host of new features, including maps, trip logs and over-the-air updates. Now, motor updates can be performed anywhere there’s an internet connection, meaning the Travel is up to date, safe, reliable and efficient. Torqeedo owners can also opt in to allow Torqeedo and its authorized service centers to collect system information to provide the fastest and most efficient service and maintenance experience.
With infinitely variable speed and steering controls, the improved tiller eases docking and launching with its ultra-precise, foldable and customizable design. Users can change the direction of forward and reverse, increase or decrease friction and even use it while standing. For boats with a rudder or steering wheel, the power package’s Travel XP can be ordered as a remote model with everything needed to connect to standard Teleflex steering, and an optional remote kit is also available to convert a tiller-steered Travel. The new, 90° tilt-equipped transom mount design lets users raise the motor completely out of the water, and the practical new three-stage rotation control lever lets customers quickly choose between fixed steering, ±60° steering and 360° fully rotatable steering.
“The entire user experience, down to the new connected features and the smartphone app, leverages Torqeedo’s 18 years of experience in building the world’s best electric drive systems and brings it to a new generation of boaters who demand greener, cleaner and more thoughtfully designed products,” said Sven Mostögl, senior vice president of branded retail at Torqeedo. “This launch is the start of a new chapter for Torqeedo. Not only are we significantly reshaping and sharpening the product portfolio and brand appearance, but we have also made the next decisive step in building the future of electric boating.”
Read more of the latest equipment and services updates from the electric and hybrid marine technology industry, here.