VMax's New VX4 Electric Scooter: What the Hidden Speed Modes Mean

VMax, a Swiss-designed electric scooter maker, released the New VX4 in late 2025 with a notable quirk: hidden performance modes that unlock additional speed and features through specific button combinations. The scooter improves on its predecessor with better suspension and a sturdier folding joint, while keeping the same core motor — a 2800-watt peak output that was already plenty powerful.

Press the power button five times in a row, and you activate what VMax calls "Beast Mode." This undocumented feature pushes the scooter past its advertised top speed of 33 mph — third-party testing has recorded real-world speeds around 36.5 mph. There's also a hidden cruise control system, activated by pressing the power button three times, which holds speed once you've been riding steadily for five seconds.

What's Under the Hood

The New VX4 uses the same V-Torque R10 motor (52 volts) and V-Core Max controller from the earlier model. Peak power stays at 2800W, which translates to climbing hills with 40% grade and reaching 15 mph from a standstill in 3.3 seconds. The scooter can carry riders up to 330 pounds and goes up to 68 miles on a single charge under ideal conditions.

The real improvements are in how the scooter rides and holds together. The front suspension uses oil-dampening — the same technology in car shocks — with adjustable preload to fine-tune how stiff or soft it feels. The rear uses VMax's patented rubber-based suspension system. The 10-inch tires are tubeless and hybrid (a blend designed for both street grip and durability), sitting 7.5 inches above the ground.

The improved stem-locking mechanism is worth noting. The stem is the vertical post that holds the handlebars; when you fold the scooter, the stem locks into place. This joint has been a persistent weak point in folding scooters for years, something I've tracked across three decades of personal mobility coverage — from the simple Razor kick scooters my children rode to today's high-power electric versions. Getting the hinge right matters for real-world reliability.

Where It Fits in the Market

VMax expanded to six new models in 2025, building on a track record of awards. Their VX2 Pro won the TCS-Test 2023 award, and the company has been recognized as a top electric scooter maker. The 2025 lineup also includes the VX7 (with a swappable battery), the VX8 (which weighs just 33 pounds), and updated VX2 models with front and rear suspension options.

The company was founded in 2015 by Dany Daetwiler, an entrepreneur who had launched products before. VMax designs in Switzerland but manufactures in China, with its US headquarters in Los Angeles. It employs between 51 and 200 people across all operations. All VMax scooters come with UL and TUV safety certifications and a 24-month warranty.

Price and Why the Hidden Modes Matter

At $1,199, the New VX4 sits in the premium segment for single-motor scooters — pricier than basic commuter models, but well below the dual-motor performance beasts that often cost $2,000 or more. The hidden performance modes do something clever: they give buyers two tiers of capability in one box.

Why hide these modes. Most regions have rules about how fast or powerful electric scooters can be for street use. By tucking the extra speed behind a secret button sequence, VMax lets the scooter meet legal requirements out of the box while also satisfying riders who want more. Tesla did something similar in cars — they unlock extra performance through software rather than hardware. Zero Motorcycles does it too. Electric scooters are now following the same playbook.

This is part of a larger trend in the industry. Tesla pioneered software-based performance unlocks in vehicles, and motorcycle makers have followed suit by offering power modes through firmware rather than physical redesigns. Electric scooter manufacturers have adopted the same approach because it is efficient: one hardware design serves multiple market segments and regulatory jurisdictions.

The Bigger Picture

The New VX4 represents steady progress rather than a breakthrough. Battery technology, motor efficiency, and electronic control systems hit diminishing returns around 2022. Most improvements now come from design details — how comfortable the ride is, how long the scooter lasts, how well it handles — rather than raw speed or range. The VX4's focus on suspension quality and mechanical durability reflects where the market has matured.

Electric scooters started out chasing range and raw power while compromising on how they rode and how long they lasted. That gap has mostly closed. Today's best scooters, like the VX4, offer solid performance across the board and compete on craftsmanship and thoughtful engineering. The suspension upgrades and redesigned folding hinge are real improvements to how the scooter works day-to-day, not just bigger numbers on a spec sheet.

For someone considering the New VX4, the hidden performance modes mean you get flexibility in one device — different modes for different situations or regulations without buying multiple versions. The suspension improvements deliver genuine comfort benefits, especially on rough streets or for longer rides. The tougher stem lock addresses a real durability issue we've seen across the category for years. Whether the $1,199 price tag is worth it depends on how much weight you place on that build quality and how it compares to competing scooters at a similar price.