Itโs been almost nine years since the last Ford left the Broadmeadows plant in Melbourne. That same year, former Ford engineer Dennis Savic founded his namesake brand, determined to continue manufacturing an Australian vehicle โ this time swapping four wheels for two, and combustion for electrification.
Since 2016, he and his team have been developing the Savic C-Series Alpha, an Australian assembled, electric cafรฉ racer, styled for nostalgia with a tech-driven heart. The C-Series Alpha presents a classic silhouette (with an alluring single-sided swing arm), but in place of a regular fuel combustion engine exists the SM1 powertrain boasting a 16.2kWh battery and PMAC motor delivering 200Nm+ of torque, with a 200km range, claiming a 3.5-second sprint to 100km/h. I rode it last month and it feels a hell of a lot quicker. Hit Sport mode, twist the throttle and youโre propelled forward at an almost frightening pace, in near silence.
On first appearance the C-Series looks wide, but despite the size of the powertrain, the riding position is spot-on. The seat is narrow and tapered so you can sit close to the powertrain and manage the bikeโs 280kg weight with relative ease. Centre of gravity has clearly been a focus with a riding position that strikes a sweet balance between cafรฉ racer aggression and cruiser comfort, assisting manoeuvrability and handling. Customisable handlebars allow owners to further fine tune their position for that iconic โTon-Up Boysโ look, if your lower back allows for it.
Suspension comes tuned by ex-European Superstock 600 champion Jed Metcher, with Pirelli Diablo Rosso III rubber and Brembo brakes featuring bespoke Bosch ABS. It rides, stops, and reverses (thanks to an actual reverse gear) like a dream. The only weird part? No clutch leaves your left hand and foot constantly searching for something to do.
What about range anxiety? Forty minutes of riding with a handful of spirited accelerations and the C-Series battery barely depleted โ just 2% gone โ with 215km still showing on the display despite Savicโs claimed 200km range. If you do drain the battery, itโll recharge from 0 to 100% in less than 6 hours or to 80% in 4, at a maximum rate of 3.3kW with a 15amp outlet. Each C-Series comes with a 10amp charging cable, making it convenient to charge through any standard power point at home, achieving a 0-80% charge in 7 hours.
The 7-inch anti-glare touchscreen handles security while managing four ride modes plus three custom profiles, cruise control, and live telemetry. Behind the scenes, Linux-based OS and AWS Edge computing handle over-the-air updates and predictive maintenance. The riderโs mobile phone acts as a remote key with the Savic app but the bike can be started with a pin code if you find yourself with no battery.
At $29,990, the C-Series Alpha delivers blistering pace and serious enjoyment, capable at commuting and handling serious week rides. Itโs also proof Australia can still build world-class machines with conviction and swagger. Whether this sparks a broader automotive renaissance remains to be seen. But if this is where Aussie engineering is headed, Iโm here for it.
