Cake’s Makka Polestar Edition Is an Electric Honda Motocompo
Polestar might have a new, less-expensive 2 out, but the Swedish brand has more electric vehicle news to share. Only this time, it’s of the two-wheeled EV variety. Polestar has partnered up with fellow Swedish EV brand Cake on a special version of the latter’s new Makka electric scooter. And one of the Makka Polestar edition’s features might strike a chord for Honda Motocompo fans.
Cake and Polestar team up to make one Swede limited-edition Makka electric scooter
| Spec | Cake Makka Flex |
| Motor | Permanent-magnet rear hub motor |
| Power | 5 hp |
| Rear-wheel torque | 44 lb-ft |
| Top speed | 28 mph |
| Battery capacity | 1.5 kWh |
| Claimed range | 31 miles |
| Curb weight with battery | 145 lbs |
Up until now, Cake has only offered electric dirt bikes and motorcycles. That even includes the Ösa+ and Lite, which are more like Honda Monkey-style mini-bikes. However, while the Cake Makka has Ösa-like modular capabilities, it’s an electric scooter, RideApart reports. And not a motorized scooter, but a true electric scooter with a seat.
Here in the US, Cake only offers the Makka in Flex form. Overseas customers get another trim option, the Makka Range. As its name suggests, it has a longer range—35 miles instead of the Flex’s 30. And it’s about $300 cheaper. But because it’s designed to fit under European driver’s license rules, its top speed is just 15 mph. As a result, it likely wouldn’t be street-legal in most parts of the US, while the Flex is.
While it’s not exactly fast, the Cake Makka Flex does have proper motorcycle tires and disc brakes with regenerative braking. It also has a TFT display, integrated lighting, an Ohlins RWU fork, and a preload-adjustable rear shock. Plus, its modular design makes it easy to attach accessories like a cargo basket, rear rack, passenger seat, or pannier bags.
However, the Cake Makka Polestar edition has a few extra goodies on top of that. Some, such as the blacked-out trim, and ‘Polestar Snow’ frame and battery-cover finish, are merely cosmetic, RideApart notes. But this limited-edition electric scooter has some functional upgrades, too, such as an Ohlins rear shock and a new LED headlight.
And then there are the changes that make it a spiritual Honda Motocompo successor.
How the Cake Makka Polestar edition takes a page from the Honda Motocompo’s book
Major Japanese cities suffered the same traffic problems in the 1980s as they do today. Compact kei cars were and are still a common solution. However, even they couldn’t always deal with the heavy congestion that forced drivers to park far away from their destinations. Some automakers, though, tried tackling this secondary headache in often creative ways. And Honda’s idea is arguably the most memorable: the Motocompo scooter.
Those who bought a Honda City Turbo II back in the 1980s didn’t get a spare tire in their turbocharged hatchback. Instead, they got a folding Honda Motocompo scooter designed to fit precisely within the City Turbo II’s cargo area. With only 2.5 hp and a 19-mph top speed, the Motocompo isn’t fast. But then, speed isn’t the point; utility and convenience are.
And that’s where the Cake Makka Polestar edition takes a page from the Motocompo’s playbook. Polestar designed a tow-bar attachment for the 2 specifically to hold the Makka. So, while the Cake scooter can’t fold up into the trunk, you can bring it with you, park the car, and ride it to your destination. That’s a boon in many European cities as they start transitioning to car-free zones, RideApart explains. Plus, the scooter recharges via a special port on the Polestar 2.
How can you get one of these limited-edition electric scooters?
The standard Cake Makka Flex, the ‘clean,’ starts at $3800; accessories range from $100-$290 extra. As of this writing, though, Cake hasn’t released pricing details for the Polestar edition. But considering regular production is sold out until March 2022, there’s time to get on the waiting list. Also, at least initially, the Makka Polestar edition will only be available in Sweden, Norway, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
However, you don’t have to buy the limited-edition Makka to get the Polestar 2 attachment. The tow-bar and charging port are compatible with all Makkas, not just the Polestar edition. But as of this writing, Polestar hasn’t released US availability or pricing details.
Still, an electric take on the Honda Motocompo is a refreshing concept.
Follow more updates from MotorBiscuit on our Facebook page.
