During the presentation of the Ninja 7 Hybrid, Kawasaki held off, but what everyone was convinced of at the time now appears to be true. After the Ninja (and the Z), Kawasaki will also launch a hybrid version of the Versys, as evidenced by the patents that Team Green has applied for.
It was one of the questions during the roundtable discussion with the Ninja 7 Hybrid development team. Why Kawasaki didn’t go for a hybrid Versys, but a hybrid Ninja. And whether this could be expected at a later stage. “Since the beginning, Kawasaki has always stood for sportiness and we wanted to convey that with our first hybrid model,” said Kawasaki.
“It had to be a sporty model and the Ninja is our sportiest family. That is why we did not go for a hybrid Versys. The future will tell whether there will be a hybrid Versys model. This Ninja 7 Hybrid is just the first step and depending on the reactions from the press and the market, and political developments, the future path will be determined.”
After first crossing Barcelona in EV mode under the threat of rain and then racing from the coast towards the mountains in ECO and SPORT HYBRID, we were convinced of the concept – electric driving has real added value in urban environments – and the world’s first Strong-Hybrid motorcycle was also received with great enthusiasm at Kawasaki dealers.
Although the Ninja 7 Hybrid – as well as the Z 7 Hybrid unveiled at the EICMA in Milan – will not make its appearance at the Kawasaki dealer in the Benelux until March 2024, it appears that the first series will be sold out quickly. And judging by the fact that Kawasaki has now applied for a patent for a hybrid Allroad model, they have every confidence in Akashi.
The patent application filed by Kawasaki in Japan shows an Allroad model powered by a Power Unit consisting of the new 451 cc parallel twin and a traction motor placed behind the cylinders. As with the Ninja and Z 7 Hybrid, the block is mounted in a tubular frame.
Remarkably, the 48V battery that is placed under the seat of the Ninja and Z and is supplied with fresh cooling air via scoops in the belly pan is missing from the drawing. Those scopes are also notable in their absence. Either Kawasaki has opted for a different battery technology, or it has been omitted in this drawing because it is not part of this patent application. We think the latter.
The fact that Kawasaki has now applied for this patent in Japan is of course no guarantee that the model will actually be released, but given the popularity of Allroads, we cannot imagine that. It was not without reason that we asked in Barcelona why Kawasaki had not gone for a hybrid Versys.
If you ask us, the question is not if, but when Kawasaki will launch this hybrid Dual Purpose, which will undoubtedly be known as the Versys 7 Hybrid.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.