Got PHP 20.8M? Midual’s new ultra-rare motorcycle might be calling
French bespoke motorcycle manufacturer Midual has revealed that it is developing an ultra-exclusive new model called the “Française,” with production limited to just five units worldwide. Pricing has yet to be officially announced, but reports from overseas suggest it could command well over EUR 300,000. At current exchange rates, that puts the Française in the ballpark of PHP 20.8 million.
Midual's Type 1 Series 3 which the Francaise was based upon
Boxer engine, but sideways
As with most motorcycles, the engine is the centerpiece, and the Française is no exception. Power comes from a 1,036cc liquid-cooled boxer engine, but unlike the traditional BMW-style layout with cylinder heads protruding to either side, Midual’s configuration positions the cylinders pointing to the front and rear. Output figures are a relatively modest 101 PS and 102 Nm of torque, delivered through a six-speed gearbox paired with a slipper clutch.
The engine is housed within a distinctive double-walled aluminum monocoque that serves as both the fuel tank and bodywork, which is a rare, self-supporting structure cast in a single piece.
Suspension duties are handled by Öhlins components front and rear, while braking is managed by Brembo calipers. The motorcycle rides on tubeless spoked wheels and weighs 219 kg dry, with a near-even front-to-rear weight distribution. Top speed is rated at over 200 km/h.
As the Française is understood to be based on the Type 1 Series 3, it is likely to carry over Midual’s signature dashboard, built around a sand-cast aluminum frame that is subsequently precision-machined. The setup would presumably retain the brand’s hallmark seven analog instruments for engine monitoring, in keeping with Midual’s emphasis on traditional fine-mechanical craftsmanship.
At roughly PHP 20.8 million before taxes, duties, and shipping, this is the kind of motorcycle very few can realistically afford. That said, for those with the means, would owning one of the world’s rarest hand-built motorcycles be worth the price?
