The BMW CE 04 is an electric scooter produced by BMW Motorrad.

BMW CE 04
ManufacturerBMW Motorrad
Parent companyBMW
Production2022-present
PredecessorBMW C evolution
ClassElectric scooter
EngineEMP156 synchronous electric motor, permanent magnet with liquid cooling
Top speed75 mph (121 km/h)
Power42 hp (31 kW) @ 4900
Torque45.7 lb⋅ft (62.0 N⋅m) @ 1500
Transmission1-speed
SuspensionF: telescopic fork, 3.9 in (99 mm) travel
R: suspension strut, 3.6 in (91 mm) travel
BrakesF: 4-piston fixed caliper, dual 265 mm (10.4 in) disks with ABS
R: 1-piston floating caliper, 265 mm (10.4 in) disc
TiresF: 120/70R-15
R: 160/60R-15
Wheelbase66.0 in (1,680 mm)
DimensionsW: 33.7 in (860 mm) with mirrors
H: 45.3 in (1,150 mm)
Seat height30.7 in (780 mm)
Weight509 lb (231 kg) (dry)

History

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BMW Concept Link at Frankfurt 2017

The Concept Link design study gave an initial preview for the successor to the C evolution electric scooter as early as 2017, when it was shown at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in Lake Como, Italy. The Concept Link featured a touchscreen instrument panel and luggage compartment beneath the rider's seat, using space made available through an electric traction motor; the "Link" name referred to internet connectivity features, including the ability to plot routes and select music based on the rider's appointment calendar.[1] As an accessory, a jacket wirelessly linked to the scooter allowed the rider to manipulate controls by making specific gestures.[2]

An updated concept named Definition CE 04 was shown in November 2020 at BMW's "Next/Gen 2020" virtual show; at the time, BMW hinted a closely related production model would follow.[3] The Definition concept included a large screen in the instrument panel, connected to the user's smartphone; the matching riding jacket was illuminated for visibility and contained a pocket that would charge the phone wirelessly.[4] By March 2021, leaked patent images indicated that BMW had completed the design for a production version of the CE 04 with very few changes from the earlier Concept Link and Definition concepts.[5]

In July 2021, BMW officially presented the final production version of the CE 04,[6] which is scheduled to go on sale in February 2022.[7][8] The "04" in the name refers to the market segment (400 cc gasoline-powered scooters) at which it is intended.[9] The suggested retail price is US$11,795 (equivalent to $12,281 in 2023) in the United States[10] and £11,700 in the United Kingdom.[11] At Milipol 2021 in November, BMW showed a CE 04 equipped with a police package, which adds typical emergency vehicle equipment including LED strobe lights, siren, additional secured storage, and extra radio.[12]

Design

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Styling

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The CE 04 implements the styling from the Concept Link in production form with changes to make it road-legal, including mirrors and license plate mounts;[5] The Verge noted the Concept Link looked like "[it would] be right at home in a sci-fi movie like Blade Runner" in 2017[13] and called the follow-up Definition CE 04 concept of November 2020 "straight out of a William Gibson novel. The elongated, low vehicle body and the diagonally rising front end create a clean break from the look of scooters as we know them." Deliberate rear panel gaps were left to provide a hint of the mechanics of the scooter.[3]

Powertrain and battery

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The powertrain of the CE 04 is derived from BMW automobiles. The traction motor is a shortened version of the electric motor used in the X3 xDrive 30e and 225xe plug-in hybrid models, generating a peak of 42 hp (31 kW) (20 hp (15 kW) continuous)[14] and 46 lb⋅ft (62 N⋅m) of torque.[10] The scooter can accelerate from 0–30 mph (0–48 km/h) in 2.6 seconds.[14] The maximum speed is 75 mph (121 km/h).

A derating version is available, for driving license reasons and their specifications are reduced to 31 hp (23 kW) (15 hp (11 kW) continuous).[15]

The electric traction motor is mounted to the chassis, not the swingarm, reducing unsprung weight. A toothed belt drive is used to transmit power from the motor to the rear wheel.[9] Three driving modes are available (eco, rain, and road), controlling the amount of throttle response and regenerative braking; an optional driving mode (dynamic) provides the most aggressive throttle response and strongest regeneration.[9]

The scooter is equipped with a 147.6 V, 60.6 Ah / 8.9 kWh (8.5 usable) lithium-ion storage battery originally designed for the iX and i4.[10] The battery is attached to a cooling plate with fins, allowing heat to dissipate through the air.[16] Estimated range is 80 mi (130 km) and 62 mi (100 km) for the derating version, using the WLTP cycle.[10] It is capable of AC charging at up to 6.9 kW; it is not equipped with DC fast charging. Charging times (for battery state from 0% to 100%) are estimated to range from 4 hours, 20 minutes (using a 2.3 kW / Level 1 AC supply) to 1 hour, 40 minutes (6.9 kW / Level 2). On Level 2 charging, it takes 45 minutes to bring the battery from 20% to 80% state of charge.[16]

The CE 04 is fitted with mechanical brakes made by the Spanish brand JJuan; the front fork has twin 265 mm-diameter (10.4 in) discs with 4-piston fixed calipers, while the rear wheel is equipped with a single 265 mm (10.4 in) disc and single-piston floating caliper. A two-channel anti-lock braking system from Bosch is fitted; as an option, the ABS Pro system includes a tilt sensor, regulating braking during cornering.[16]

Features

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The instrument panel features a 10.25 in (260 mm) TFT color screen with integrated navigation and connectivity with the rider's smartphone through a Bluetooth and a Wi-Fi connection. Additionally, it features a ventilated smartphone storage compartment with a USB-C charging port. LED lights are standard. Traction control is available as an option.[14] An adaptive headlight is optional, which provides additional light depending on lean angle.[16]

A reversing aid is provided, controlled by a handlebar-mounted switch on the left side. When activated, the vehicle reverses at a walking pace.[16]

References

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  1. ^ Markovich, Tony (May 30, 2017). "BMW Wants Its Motorrad Concept Link Scooter to Be Your Personal Mobility Assistant". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  2. ^ Paukert, Chris (May 26, 2017). "BMW Motorrad Concept Link is a smart e-scooter from the future". Road/Show. CNet. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  3. ^ a b Hawkins, Andrew J. (November 11, 2020). "BMW's new electric scooter concept aims to be your perfect cyberpunk mount". The Verge. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  4. ^ Cameron, Kevin (November 26, 2020). "BMW Definition CE 04 Scooter". Cycle World. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  5. ^ a b Purvis, Ben (March 31, 2021). "Production-ready BMW CE 04 Revealed in Patents". Cycle World. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  6. ^ O'Kane, Sean (July 7, 2021). "BMW's actually making the futuristic CE 04 electric scooter". The Verge. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  7. ^ "CE 04" (in German). BMW Motorrad.
  8. ^ "BMW Group to Host Los Angeles Media Showcase". BMW USA News.
  9. ^ a b c Northover, Chris (January 24, 2022). "2022 BMW CE 04 First Ride Review". Cycle World. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d Hyatt, Kyle (January 21, 2022). "2022 BMW CE04 first ride review: Looks like the future, rides like the present". Road/Show. CNet. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  11. ^ Child, Adam (31 January 2022). "BMW CE 04 electric scooter review". Autocar. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  12. ^ Ramey, Jay (October 26, 2021). "BMW CE 04 Electric Scooter Gets the Polizei Pack". Autoweek. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  13. ^ O'Kane, Sean (May 26, 2017). "BMW's new concept motorcycle looks like it belongs in Blade Runner". The Verge. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  14. ^ a b c "BMW CE 04 Electric Scooter | First Look Review". Rider Magazine. July 26, 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  15. ^ "CE 04 Technical data". BMW Motorrad.
  16. ^ a b c d e "The new BMW CE 04" (Press release). BMW Group, Pressclub USA. July 7, 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2022.