Over the years, VanMoof’s minimalist, tech-forward e-bikes became icons in their own right: distinctive frames, integrated lights, sleek anti-theft features, and an unmistakable futuristic hum turning heads at traffic lights - or even reminded of a UFO.

But as ambition accelerated, so did costs. Despite impressive sales - €12 million in 2018, surging to nearly €80 million in 2020 - VanMoof’s losses deepened. Supply chain issues, an over-engineered product ecosystem, and costly repair bottlenecks led to mounting financial strain. Customer concerns went unanswered, faulty bikes stayed broken, and parts piled up in warehouses. By mid-2023, the company filed for creditor protection and declared bankruptcy across multiple countries, leaving loyal customers uncertain and thousands of bikes in limbo. With nearly €144 million owed, VanMoof was staring down a harsh reality: reinvention or extinction.

The knight in gunmetal grey

Reinvention came faster than expected. In August 2023, British mobility tech company McLaren Applied acquired VanMoof via its premium e-mobility brand Lavoie, reportedly for “tens of millions” of pounds. What followed was a strategic cleanup. The workforce was trimmed from over 700 to around 130, and repairs were decentralized via a network of 200 service centers across 13 countries. The mission: to preserve the design DNA that made VanMoof beloved, while building a more reliable, scalable system beneath it.

And then came the S6

Launched in June 2025 alongside its step-through sibling, the S6 Open, the S6 marked VanMoof’s phoenix moment. Priced at €3,298, the bikes initially raised eyebrows - but quickly justified the tag with a blend of McLaren-grade engineering and the kind of detailing design devotees dream of. If the S5 was a flawed beauty, the S6 is its leaner, wiser sibling: reworked inside and out to avoid the over-complications that once held the brand back.

The drivetrain is now fully mechanical. VanMoof has replaced its fragile electronic shifting system with a 3-speed automatic hub that uses angular momentum to detect when to shift. It’s a quiet, clever move, one that signals the brand’s growing commitment to durability and rebuilding rider trust. That same mindset carries through to the motor and battery system: the 250W motor delivers up to 68 Nm of torque and pairs with a Panasonic 487 Wh battery offering between 60 and 150 km of range, depending on usage. Whisper-quiet yet powerful, the motor makes the Boost button feel like a personal turbocharger on uphill stretches.

Minimalism meets emotion

But the real charm of the S6 lies in its sensory experience. From the moment you power it on, there’s a refined symphony of subtle sounds and lights. No old-school jingles -just a deep, futuristic tone seemingly pulled straight from a Christopher Nolan soundtrack. The LED halo ring wrapped into the handlebars replaces the matrix display, conveying everything you need to know: battery life, speed, lock status. All through color and movement alone. It’s minimalism turned into user-interface poetry.

Security also remains baked into the bike’s bones. The rear wheel kick-lock has been rebuilt for greater robustness. If someone tries to move the S6 while it’s locked, the integrated alarm triggers a high-pitched siren, simultaneously alerting the rider’s phone and activating onboard GPS and cellular tracking. VanMoof also offers its signature Theft Proof service, a subscription that guarantees their recovery team will find your bike if it’s stolen, or replace it. According to the company, over 70% of stolen bikes are retrieved within two weeks. For VanMoof, anti-theft isn’t just a feature - it’s a brand promise.

Then there’s the design. From product and packaging to online configurator and cinematic launch videos, VanMoof speaks a visual language other mobility brands are still trying to learn. Its website is an immersive, interactive storytelling experience. Launch films, with moody lighting and precision-cut motion, make new models feel less like consumer products and more like wearable tech culture.

Even the acoustic design matters. The S6 doesn’t just look smart - it sounds smart. From the deeper lock click to the subtle audio cues that signal power modes and connectivity, the S6 communicates like a well-spoken companion. On the street, that matters. Not only does it deter theft, but it also asserts its identity. You don’t just ride a VanMoof. You arrive on one.

In short, VanMoof is back - not just in business, but with a clarified purpose. The S6 isn’t a complete reimagining; it’s a rebalancing. A statement that beautiful design can be practical, and that smart tech doesn’t have to be fragile. That storytelling and industrial design can coexist with mechanical elegance. After a near-death financial experience, VanMoof has returned to its roots: building beautiful, functional, emotionally compelling bikes that feel like they belong to the future of the city.

For the rider, that means one thing: you get to glide through the urban jungle on a bike that feels like a spaceship, responds like a luxury car, and still has the soul of a Dutch commuter - even without the Carlier brothers at the helm.