Ahead of the IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich, BMW Motorrad reveals its Concept CE 02, a new interpretation of smart, urban single-track mobility. With its compact dimensions and youthful proportions, it also clearly appeals to a new target group: people aged 16 and over, who have not ridden a motorbike before but are open to new experiences, smart technology and, above all, combining mobility with fun.
As a lightweight e-vehicle weighing about 120 kg, the BMW Motorrad Concept CE 02 is ideal for urban use, offering a high fun factor as well as straightforward yet stylish commuting. The 11 kW of output and all the torque available from standstill allow for fast acceleration at traffic lights. A top speed of 90 km/h and a range of 90 km make it easy to get from A to B – and back again – even in heavy city traffic.
The simple and transparent proportions ensure an honest, emotional aesthetic appeal. Two large-size wheels, similar to a fun bike, promise robustness and straightforward riding fun. They are designed as disc wheels, thereby emphasising the proportions of the vehicle graphically. The dark area for the two battery units and the drive with silver accentuations create a compact body. The long, narrow seat and the frame round off the distinctive silhouette.
Thanks to the flat vehicle body, the centre of gravity is low and favourable when it comes to riding dynamics. At the same time, the BMW Motorrad Concept CE 02 looks inviting and confidence-inspiring thanks to the large disc wheels and low seat height. Characteristic proportions not only allow for a very agile riding experience, they are also intended to encourage non-motorcyclists to perhaps get on and have a go.
The continuous seat reflects the versatility of the concept. Whether leaning far back with your feet first or leaning forward with your feet on the rear footrests or, of course, with two people – the seat allows numerous sitting positions since no foot brake lever has to be operated due to the electric drive. In addition, the free space between the seat and frame offers room for small luggage items. In the front area of the seat, there are two crossed-over petrol-coloured elastic bands attached in such a way as to enable smaller items to be casually tucked in. Further storage space is provided by the brackets: the front footrests are mounted here, too. You can also attach your own skateboard here and use it as a footrest.
The purist design reveals high-quality details and technical refinements on closer inspection. Light is provided by a square, black headlight with four distinctive LED elements as front headlights. The rear light comprises two small, translucent LED leaves that are fixed to the left and right of the rear seat. A small colour screen on the handlebars provides basic display functionality: this is connected via a visible, visually deliberately overemphasised cable harness. Otherwise, the technology is deliberately restrained. In combination with the disc wheels and the single-sided swinging arm, the showcased elements such as the drive belt, handlebars and fork emphasise the urban, modern character of the concept bike in detail.
In terms of colour, the BMW Motorrad Concept CE 02 also keeps things purist: black/silver is the underlying scheme. The colour black is reminiscent of early BMW motorbikes. What is new here, however, is the interplay of matt and high-gloss surfaces, giving the concept bike greater expressiveness. Silver-coloured elements such as the triple clamp or the drive, the white graphics and the petrol-coloured luggage straps set targeted accentuations, breaking up the overall image. Technoid typography is used as an active design tool, conveying the association with technical information on machines. The BMW emblem is integrated on the whitish silicone seat just in front of the handlebars; otherwise only the BMW wordmark on the rims and luggage straps indicates the manufacturer.
With this rather restrained colour scheme, the BMW Motorrad Concept CE 02 provides the ideal platform for the rider to showcase their own individual character. Additional individualisation by means of stickers or tapes is also possible and indeed desirable.