Menacing Super Villain hits Oz

Local Segway Powersports distributor Urban Moto Imports has previewed a wild new sports side-by-side model, with the sinister Super Villain breaking cover at a recent dealer demo day in Tallarook, Victoria.

And because it technically falls into the utility vehicle category, courtesy of its rear tray, it could be eligible for farm registration, depending on local regulations.

Only recently touching down in Australia, it’s the first time the new model has been displayed here, with Segway Powersports dealers and media offered ‘shotgun’ drive experiences in the two-seater unit over a closed off-road test circuit.

Featuring a two-litre turbo-petrol powerplant said to produce 235hp and 380Nm, the model is expected to reach select Segway Powersports dealerships in mid-2025, with pricing to be announced closer to its official arrival Down Under.

And if that output isn’t enough, there are plans to bring a version with a hybrid propulsion system to Australia in 2026, with a combined neck-snapping 330hp and an earth-churning 570Nm!

Building on the 1000cc Segway Villian SX10 that has been on sale in Australia for the last three years, the Super Villain SX20 boasts selectable drive modes (Normal, Racing and Climbing), bucket-style seats with six-point safety harnesses, and a high level of digital connectivity.

The US designed and tested but Chinese-made buggy has a high-strength chromoly steel frame. It rides on dual A-arms up front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, fitted with K-MAN 3.0 dampers. Over 500mm of wheel travel front and rear, high ground clearance and chunky 32-inch OBOR off-road tyres deliver effortless running over harsh terrain.

While the Super Villain’s main focus is performance driving and competitive racing, Urban Moto Imports CEO Joe Elasmar says the vehicle’s rear storage shelf is a game-changer for the Australian market, allowing the model to fall into the utility segment and potentially opening it up to farm registration. The Super Villain also comes fully equipped with lights, indicators, and a horn.

“The utility aspect changes everything because in terms of people being able to use it, whether it’s farm reg and that sort of thing, being a utility allows you to look at different categories,” he said.

“And it’s not only that – we’ve got a lot of the guys who head up to Cape York and do all those big adventures, and the biggest issue is they’ve got nowhere to store their stuff when they’re doing their trips.

“Where this comes into play is that not only are you able to store your stuff a lot more easily but having the auto transmission means you can comfortably sit at higher speeds without running a CVT – it’s a full auto transmission with paddle shifters.”

While options for registration will vary depending on jurisdiction and application, Mr Elasmar said plans were already afoot to enter the Super Villain into competition.

“There are plans to go down that path,” he said. “We’re at an early stage, but we have started some discussions and the factory has plans to go racing at Finke in 2027, and the reason for that is that you need to be available on the market for 12 months before you can compete.

“They’ve already started the process; the factory went to Finke last year with an electric motorcycle, but that class lets you enter immediately, so they’re already building stuff up in that space from a global standpoint.”

Not every Segway Powersports dealer will carry the Super Villain, said Elasmar.

“Only certain dealers will be doing the particularly high-end product like this; you’ve got to remember it will be going up against the likes of the Maverick R from Can-Am and that type of thing,” he said.

However, after launching in Australia in late 2020, Segway Powersports is ramping up its presence here significantly, increasing its national dealer network from 40 outlets at present to over 60 within the next year.

Segway Powersports now offers a broad range of off-highway vehicles, from its Snarler quad bikes to its Fugleman farm UTVs, to its sports side-by-side models. The preview of the Super Villain SX20 coincided with the launch of the brand’s new UTV range entry point, the Fugleman UT6.