Stark Future is a European EV start-up that specialises in high performance off-road EV’s. Royal Enfeld bought a 10.35 percent stake in the company in 2023 and the start-up has now taken the wraps off its new EV enduro bike, the VARG EX.
- Produces 80hp in top spec ‘Alpha’ guise
- Gets a larger battery compared to the MX.
- Aims at serving dual purpose. On and off the road unlike the VARG MX
Stark Future VARG EX details
Based on the earlier revealed VARG MX, the EX is Stark Future’s second offering in the EV off-road segment. Unlike the Varg MX, the EX is set to be a road-legal enduro making it the more versatile option.
It gets a larger battery pack than the MX, which is rated at 7.2kWh compared to 6.5kWh for the MX. In the top-spec ‘Alpha’ variant, the EX produces 80 hp, which is currently higher than any petrol powered alternative. What makes the EX approachable is the 5 riding modes on offer that allow you to modulate the power, ranging from 10 hp to 80 hp depending on the selected mode. It is worth noting that Stark also offers the EX in a lower 60hp variant at a reduced price.
Weight shouldn’t be a concern for most riders as the VARG EX weighs tips the scale at 120kg. The EX gets a 21-inch front and an 18-inch rear wheel as standard and the company offers it with five tyre options.. The EX also features a similar steel frame like the one featured on MX with minor improvements.
Suspension duties are handled by Kayaba and it gets a 48mm closed cartridge fork with 300mm of travel coupled with a rear KYB monoshock with variable compression, rebound depending on the speed. The suspension offered on the EX is different from the one available on the MX.
Varg EX offers a military-grade removable smartphone in place of a dash, which is the first of its kind and dubbed as the Stark Arkenstone. The Arkenstone is an android device integrated with the bike and is coupled GPS and aGyro. It also allows you to record videos on the move anddevice also acts as a link between the rider and the Stark support team.
Stark future says the EX is road-ready from the factory, featuring a 4000 lumens headlight, pair of silicon moulded integrated indicators, handguards and a license plate holder integrated in the rear fender.
The VARG EX retails at $12,900 USD for the standard 60hp variant and goes up to $13,900 for the 80hp Alpha variant. For reference, this pricing is on par with a premium petrol-powered enduro like the KTM 500 EXC-F Six Days. It is worth noting that while the Stark VARG MX was launched at a similar price as the EX, the company has since slashed the price down to $10,999 which now makes it more affordable than the newer VARG EX.
Pre-bookings for the VARG EX have opened, Stark intends on shipping the bike worldwide but it remains to be seen if and when the brand and its products will make it to India.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
