BMW CE 04 explained

BMW CE 04
Manufacturer:BMW Motorrad
Parent Company:BMW
Production:2022-present
Predecessor:BMW C evolution
Class:Electric scooter
Engine:EMP156 synchronous electric motor, permanent magnet with liquid cooling
Power: @ 4900
Torque: @ 1500
Transmission:1-speed
Suspension:F: telescopic fork, travel
R: suspension strut, travel
Brakes:F: 4-piston fixed caliper, dual disks with ABS
R: 1-piston floating caliper, disc
Tires:F: 120/70R-15
R: 160/60R-15
Width: with mirrors

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

History

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. 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.[3] 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.[4]

In July 2021, BMW officially presented the final production version of the CE 04,[5] which is scheduled to go on sale in February 2022.[6] [7] The "04" in the name refers to the market segment (400 cc gasoline-powered scooters) at which it is intended.[8] The suggested retail price is in the United States[9] and in the United Kingdom.[10] 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.[11]

Design

Styling

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;[4] The Verge noted the Concept Link looked like "[it would] be right at home in a sci-fi movie like Blade Runner" in 2017[12] 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.[13]

Powertrain and battery

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 (continuous)[14] and of torque.[9] The scooter can accelerate from in 2.6 seconds.[14] The maximum speed is .

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.[8] 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.[8]

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.[9] The battery is attached to a cooling plate with fins, allowing heat to dissipate through the air. Estimated range is and for the derating version, using the WLTP cycle.[9] It is capable of AC charging at up to 6.9 kW; it is not equipped with a DC fast charging inlet. 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 discs with 4-piston fixed calipers, while the rear wheel is equipped with a single 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

The instrument panel features a 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]

Notes and References

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