BMW presents new bike concept and licensing agreement

BMW presents an electric two-wheeler concept in Munich that is somewhere between a motorbike and a scooter. In the course of the IAA, the Munich-based company will also announce the licensing of its e-bike/e-trek scooter duo presented in July to partner companies Cube and SoFlow.

First of all, the new two-wheeler concept: the ‘BMW Motorrad Concept CE 02’ with its extremely compact dimensions and “youthful proportions”, as BMW puts it, is intended to appeal to a young target group from the age of 16. Weighing only around 120 kilograms, the vehicle has the characteristics of a fun bike, but is primarily intended to provide uncomplicated mobility in an urban environment – and to introduce young people to the BMW brand.

BMW lists a power output of 11 kW, a top speed of 90 km/h and a range of 90 kilometres. There is no information about the battery capacity. But there is information about the design: the large-volume wheels are disc wheels, which is supposed to emphasise the “graphic impression of the proportions”. The long, narrow bench seat should be able to accommodate up to two people.

“At first glance, there is little about the BMW Motorrad Concept CE 02 that is typically BMW Motorrad – it’s something completely new,” explains Edgar Heinrich, Head of Design at BMW Motorrad. “We want to strive for something novel and be pioneers – which is what we’ve proven ourselves capable of with various projects in the past.” The Concept CE 02 shows new proportions and modern forms of economy mobility for the urban environment, says Heinrich. “In addition, we wanted to achieve a level of design innovation that we have not had before at this level. Straightforward use was important, but above all the emotional component was crucial, as well as riding.”

Meanwhile, the BMW Group also announces it has found licensees for its micromobility concepts unveiled in July. These are an e-load bike and an e-tread scooter – two vehicles that the Munich-based company intends to license rather than produce itself. These concepts are now being implemented in cooperation with the companies Cube and SoFlow.

The “Clever Commute” scooter developed by BMW will in future be marketed by SoFlow under the name “SoFlow Concept CLEVER COMMUTE inspired by BMW”. The device can be conveniently folded for taking along on public transport and/or in a car – according to BMW without compromising on driving stability. The vehicle is thus intended to convince private customers, not sharing providers.

Manuel Hug, co-founder and CEO of SoFlow AG, describes the renewed cooperation with the BMW Group as “an outstanding chapter in SoFlow’s success story, having already obtained the licence to use the BMW ‘Personal Mover’ concept”. Now, he said, SoFlow can contribute its expertise in micro e-mobility vehicles to the latest development. The goal, he said, is to bring the innovative concept to the roads in a timely manner.

Meanwhile, the company Cube has been granted the licence for BMW’s compact, three-wheeled cargo bike concept called “Dynamic Cargo”. This is to be launched on the market under the name “CUBE Concept Dynamic Cargo inspired by BMW”. The core of the unconventional cargo bike is a variable loading area placed between the two rear wheels, which can be equipped with attachments for transporting loads and/or children as well as for leisure activities. In addition, the three-wheeled vehicle has a tiltable main frame at the front, which is connected to the rear carriage via a swivel axle.

“Inspired by the idea from BMW, we have put all our know-how into the development of a cargo bike that is suitable for series production,” expresses Cube CEO Andreas Foti. “We have created an ultra-compact, agile and safe trike that can be used and enjoyed by anyone. The electrical support enables flexible usage, even outside urban spaces, while the compact design is light and easy to manoeuvre. The flexible transport options also make it possible to transport almost anything.”

bmwgroup.com, bmwgroup.com (concept)