BRABUS goes electric on two wheels and it’s not what you expect
22/04/2026
BRABUS isn’t a name you associate with restraint. It’s loud, excessive, unapologetically powerful.
So when the German tuning powerhouse shows up at Milan Design Week 2026 with a line-up of electric motorcycles, you pay attention. Together with French manufacturer DAB Motors, BRABUS has introduced three models that feel less like traditional bikes and more like design objects with attitude: the DAB 1a BRABUS, the BRABUS Urban E, and a highly exclusive Urban E First Edition.
Design first, performance second but still very much BRABUS
Let’s be clear: these bikes are built for the city. A compact monocoque design, clean surfaces, exposed carbon, Alcantara, leather, everything screams craftsmanship over aggression. But BRABUS wouldn’t be BRABUS without adding a layer of performance.
The entry-level DAB 1a BRABUS delivers 23 kW and 395 Nm, which already feels excessive for an urban machine. Step up to the Urban E, and you get 27 kW and 475 Nm, plus five riding modes including a short “Nitrous Boost” function that temporarily unleashes extra power.
Yes, even in an electric city bike, BRABUS found a way to make things a bit… unnecessary. And that’s exactly why it works.
Limited, exclusive, and unapologetically expensive
At the top sits the Urban E First Edition, a collector’s piece limited to just 40 units worldwide, spread across four colourways. Each one is more than just a bike. It’s a statement.
Prices reflect that positioning:
€16,900 for the DAB 1a BRABUS
€22,900 for the Urban E
€32,500 for the First Edition
No, this isn’t mass mobility. This is niche luxury, the kind of product you buy because you want something different, not because you need it.
Real-world usability still matters
Behind the design and branding, there’s a surprisingly usable foundation. All three models share a 72V battery with 7.1 kWh capacity, offering up to 150 km of urban range and a top speed of 120 km/h. Charging from 20% to 100% takes around three hours via a standard household socket.
That makes these bikes perfectly usable for daily commuting, even if that’s probably not how most owners will use them.
AutoNext Take
At first glance, this looks like a side project. A design exercise. A lifestyle play. But it’s more than that. We’ve seen it before in the car world: brands expanding beyond their core to stay relevant. Porsche did it with bicycles. Mercedes with lifestyle products. Now BRABUS is doing it with electric motorcycles.
And it makes sense. Urban mobility is changing fast. Cities are tightening regulations, space is shrinking, and electrification is no longer optional. The real opportunity isn’t just in cars anymore, it’s in everything around them.
