McLaren Applied’s new premium micromobility company Lavoie has announced that its Series 1 e-scooter is now available to pre-order on the company’s website. The high-performance, premium electric scooter features a patent-pending folding technology that allows for a smaller storage profile or a longer, wider deck for better stability.

Lavoie says it was born of British motorsport and driven by a desire to redefine urban mobility with high-end solutions that help its customers live better. Working under McLaren Applied’s Chairman Nick Fry, the former CEO of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, are co-CEOs Eliott Wertheimer and Albert Nassar who met while studying Engineering at the University of Bristol, where they discovered a shared vision for the future of personal electric transportation.

“After years of development and significant innovation, we are confident our e-scooter will lead towards improving micromobility to automotive standards,” said Wertheimer.

The Series 1’s most defining feature is its Flowfold folding system inspired by motorsport car suspensions. A press of a button collapses the stem and moves the wheel above the deck, allowing the Series 1 to fold into one of the most compact e-scooters of its category while maintaining a large and stable deck for maximum comfort and stability. This translates to a much safer and more comfortable ride through a higher stem angle giving automotive-like steering, a freer foot position, and better shock and vibration absorption. It also makes the kickstand obsolete, with an intermediate position called Park Mode setting the e-scooter into a stable, padded, resting position.

When not riding, users can fold it completely to 402 x 293 x 904 mm (15.8 x 11.5 x 35.6 in) in a click or lock it securely in position with ultra-sturdy automotive latches. The handles are fully foldable too. Unfolded dimensions are 1138 x 645 x 273 mm (44.8 x 25.4 x 10.7 in).

Made from premium materials like magnesium and aluminum alloys, the Series 1 has a sleek, sturdy design while also being lightweight. Its monocoque chassis and stem are said to deliver outstanding strength performance.

Safety was one of Lavoie’s development priorities, so the e-scooter’s battery is housed in a waterproof hard shell and designed and certified to meet the most stringent U.S. and European safety standards. It is expected to be one of the safest devices in the industry while delivering world-class performance, in line with the McLaren brand’s heritage.

The Series 1’s lighting system was also engineered to significantly improve safety. A light halo, presence lights, rear brake, and rider illumination LEDs all highlight the user’s position on the road.

The e-scooter comes in two versions—Standard and Max—defined by their Samsung SDI 21700 48-V lithium-ion battery size. The Standard has a capacity of 468 W·h, a range of 40 km (25 mi), and retails at £1890. The Max has a 702-W·h battery a range of 60 km (38 mi), and retails at £2190. The 18.5-19.5 kg (40.8-43.0 lb) machine has a maximum rider weight of 120 kg (265 lb).

Series 1 has our own customized motor delivering peak outputs of 900 W and 30 N·m. It can handle the steepest inclines of 15% and maintain a steady speed of 10 km/h (7 mph) for a 75-kg rider.

Series 1 has three operating modes, from powerful to relaxing. Mode 1 or Eco is a slower eco option, Mode 2 or Cruise is for cruising efficiently and comfortably, and Mode 3 or Sport is for ultimate power and full throttle. Each mode’s power and top speed can be tuned via the Lavoie App. The unrestricted top speed is over 40 km/h (25 mph) and will be shipped restricted to 25 km/h (15 mph) in relevant regions.

Those ranges are at an average speed of 25 km/h (12 mph) and based on a 75-kg, 1.75-m tall rider in Mode 2/Cruise in an urban environment. Ranges for Standard to Max in Mode 1/Eco are 50-70 km at an average speed of 15 km/h, and for Mode 3/Sport are 25-35 km at an average speed of 40 km/h.

Its 250-W charger can provide a full battery charge in less than 3 h.

The first 469 customers can pre-order a limited-run Founders Edition featuring a numbered plaque designed by design and engineering consultancy Callum. Founders Edition owners will get exclusive access to early product releases, updates, and private events. Four colors are available: Silent White, Racing Green, Electric Blue, and Sunset Orange.

“Inspired by Lavoie’s ambition to effect change in micromobility through innovative design, our vibrant colors bring life and movement to the future of transportation,” said Ian Callum, Founder and Design Director at Callum, whose previous prolific automotive design work includes the Aston Martin Vanquish, Vantage, and DB9 as well as the Jaguar F-Type, F-Pace, XJ, and I-Pace. “We are pleased to collaborate with a brand at the forefront of advancing personal mobility.”

All models can be pre-ordered now with a fully refundable deposit of £500 via the company’s website, with confirmed production slots being allocated to customers upon placing an order. The option to pre-order with a full payment deposit at a 5% discount is also available.