Royal Enfield presented its new electric sub-brand “Flying Flea” at EICMA 2024 and unveiled a model designed for urban use: the Flying Flea C6. The traditional brand, which looks back on over 100 years of history, is venturing into electromobility with the Flying Flea C6 and is thus building on its past, when the original Flying Flea model became known as a light military machine during the Second World War.
Originally, the first Flying Flea was designed as a compact machine suitable for dropping from aircraft to make it quickly accessible to the British armed forces. After the end of the war, the model found a new role as an inexpensive and lightweight means of transportation in urban areas. Now, some eight decades later, Royal Enfield is bringing the name back – this time in the form of a modern electric machine.
A new chapter with electric drive
According to Royal Enfield, the Flying Flea C6 is intended to be a maneuverable and lightweight city machine that is not only designed for the daily commute through the urban jungle, but also offers a certain versatility. Managing Director Siddhartha Lal describes the concept as “City Plus”, i.e. a machine that is primarily intended to excel in urban areas, but is also suitable for short trips outside the city.
In terms of design, the Flying Flea C6 immediately catches the eye: The striking lattice frame and the Girder fork give the motorcycle a futuristic yet classic look. The lines of the frame and the overall design language indicate that Royal Enfield has deliberately opted for a mixture of tradition and modernity here. Chief designer Mark Wells, who was already responsible for the design of the Shotgun 650, was also at the drawing board for the Flying Flea.
No market launch before 2026
Although the concept of the Flying Flea C6 has already been presented at the EICMA, the model is not expected to be launched on the market until spring 2026. Until then, it remains to be seen whether the final production model will largely retain the design currently on show.
In addition to the Flying Flea C6, Royal Enfield has announced that it will launch another model called the Flying Flea S6 shortly after its market launch. The S6 version is intended to be a kind of electric scrambler with greater suspension travel, making it ideal for off-road riding.
Prominent support for the EV project
It is also interesting to note who has taken over the management of the new electric division at Royal Enfield: Mario Alvisi, an experienced manager who previously worked at the successful Scrambler Ducati sub-brand, will steer the fortunes of the Flying Flea. This could indicate that Royal Enfield wants to address a similar target group with the Flying Flea series – riders who are looking for an uncomplicated, urban vehicle that combines style and functionality.
No technical data known yet
Royal Enfield has not yet published any technical details about the Flying Flea C6. No information on performance, range or weight is yet known. However, it is assumed that Royal Enfield – as with its combustion engine models – could be aiming for an attractively priced positioning. By way of comparison, many electric motorcycles from other manufacturers are currently in a price range that is difficult to afford for many potential buyers. It remains to be seen how Royal Enfield will handle this.
Conclusion
With the Flying Flea C6, Royal Enfield is venturing into electromobility and bringing back a traditional model designation in a completely new form. Only the market launch will show whether the model can continue the success of the brand’s previous models. What is certain, however, is that the combination of classic design and modern technology will attract a lot of attention. So there is still plenty of time before the market launch to further develop and improve the concept.
