When it's not turning out fire-breathing super bikes, BMW Motorrad has a knack for fun little scooters. In Sport and GT form a well-ridden C650 scooter can mix it with sports bikes, and the C evolution puts a touch of iPerformance electric power into a congestion-fighting package. It's the C evolution which has come in for some attention, with the fitment of high capacity batteries from the i3 for better range and performance.
There will be two models in the new and improved C evolution range, designed to cater to long range commuters and new inductees into the two-wheeled world. In full powered, Long Range form, there's 19 kW (26 hp) of power on tap for a top speed of 129 km/h (80 mph). That's 8 kW (11 hp) more than the outgoing model could manage, although both the old and new scooter share the same 35 kW (47 hp) peak output.
Extra power aside, the new Long Range bike has been given a significant range boost. Thanks to more energy dense 94-Ah batteries from the recently refreshed i3, 160 km (99 mi) of range is now possible on the one charge, which is an improvement of 60 km (37 mi) on the old model.
Alongside the Long Range model will be a less powerful European version, designed to meet the limitations of the A1 driving license. There's 11 kW (15 hp) of continuous power from the motor, with the same 35 kW (48 hp) peak as its bigger brother. Top speed is pegged at 120 km/h (75 mph), and there's around 100 km (62 mph) on offer from the battery pack.
Alongside the performance improvements, BMW has worked to refine the details of its electric commuter. The integrated charging cable is now slimmer than before, and a new set of paint and trim finishes give buyers the opportunity to further customize their ride. Beyond the trim options, very little has changed on the C evolution. The same color display that won so many fans on the old model carries over, and the bars and seating position are standard BMW fare.
The current C evolution is already available in Europe and the UK, but the new models, which will make their world premiere at the Mondial de L'Automobile, Paris 2016, will also be available in the US, Japan, South Korea and Russia.
Source: BMW