With electric cars becoming a more common sight the market is quickly expanding to offer a range of options that appeal to tastes far beyond Tesla's rather tame aesthetic (Cybertruck notwithstanding, of course). Rivian opened the door for the outdoor-loving crowd with their trailblazing all-electric truck and SUV. Now Alpha Motor Corporation has joined the pack. And though we rarely delve into the automotive world, these adventure-ready rigs are just too crazy to let slip by without a closer look.
Based in Irvine, California, the recently-launched Alpha Motor specializes in retro-styled, all-electric sport utility vehicles that at times seem straight out of a video game. Over the past few months, Alpha has made quite a stir by unveiling its new line-up, which will launch in 2023, but are available for reserve now. And of their offerings, the WOLF pickup truck is a definite standout.
With a robins-egg blue exterior and old-school design, right off the bat, the rugged rig looks similar to the classic Japanese trucks of the 1960s mixed with Marty McFly's iconic 1985 Toyota SR5 Hilux. Available in either a four-wheel, dual-motor drive or front-wheel, single motor drive, the WOLF can drive between 250-275 miles before needing to be recharged.
To extend your adventure beyond the reach of WOLF's original range, the 65-inch-long truckbed can fit a solar panel setup—a clever move not disimilar from Cake's solar-powered motorcycle. On long overland runs or extended road trips where charging stations may be few and far between, this is a great innovation and step forward for electric vehicles.
The WOLF also boasts a towing capcity of up to 3,000 pounds, so it’s more than capable of hauling your small campers, boats, or even a portable A-Frame cabin. Alpha’s self-contained, skateboard-style chassis created for their first car—a sporty Mini-Cooper-meets-Jaguar model called the ACE—gives the truck its agressive stance, while a sleek interior, LED lights, and all-terrain tires round out the features list. At just over 15 and a half feet long rig is definitely on the small side, but that makes for more lightweight and easy maneuvering, parking, and turning.
And although the overall design harkens back to the classic compact trucks of yesteryear, the WOLF’s two-passenger interior is fully modernized, with a digital interior display, ergonomic seats, and charging ports.
As nearly all components of Alpha’s cars are designed to be easily removed for repair or upgrades, they are also making significant headway on creating a truly sustainable car that will last and can be improved on for decades to come.
Another highly-anticipated addition to their line-up is the JAX crossover utility vehicle. Built like a coupe with a sloping rear roof and window and a cream and forest green exterior, the style is similar to what you’d see on a city car but outfitted for the outdoors with large, dune-buggy-style tires, a rooftop carrier, and light bar. With a similar range of 250+ miles, it’s a bit roomier, capable of sitting up to four people. The hybrid combo of off-road rally car and chic city car shouldn’t work, but somehow on the JAX, it does.
Alpha Motor’s electric vehicles won’t be hitting the road until 2023, but you can reserve your own. Pricing runs between $36,000 and $48,000 depending on the model and customizations.
Published 03-23-2021
