Motorcycles

BMW's electric future-scooter is going to production within months

BMW's electric future-scooter is going to production within months
The BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 - the final step between BMW's Concept Link and an upcoming production electric scooter
The BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 - the final step between BMW's Concept Link and an upcoming production electric scooter
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The BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 - the final step between BMW's Concept Link and an upcoming production electric scooter
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The BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 - the final step between BMW's Concept Link and an upcoming production electric scooter
The flat seat sits separate from the body
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The flat seat sits separate from the body
Brake lights built into the jacket
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Brake lights built into the jacket
A low-slung battery gives the Definition CE 04 a nice low center of gravity for quick handling
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A low-slung battery gives the Definition CE 04 a nice low center of gravity for quick handling
A futuristic daily electric commuter with a practical day to day range of around 120 km
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A futuristic daily electric commuter with a practical day to day range of around 120 km
Upright riding position
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Upright riding position
The jacket has its own power source, enabling it to communicate with the bike and double the brake lights, as well as to charge your phone inductively while it's in your pocket
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The jacket has its own power source, enabling it to communicate with the bike and double the brake lights, as well as to charge your phone inductively while it's in your pocket
Smart-looking dash
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Smart-looking dash
Storage under the seat is big enough for a helmet
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Storage under the seat is big enough for a helmet
Yep, that's gonna need a big, ugly fender by the time it hits the road
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Yep, that's gonna need a big, ugly fender by the time it hits the road
Headlights have gone from mean to scootery friendly
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Headlights have gone from mean to scootery friendly
The final production model will drop within a couple of months
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The final production model will drop within a couple of months
View gallery - 12 images

BMW's wacky Concept Link electric scooter from 2017 is within a few months of becoming a super futuristic-looking production bike, and this new Definition CE 04 is the last time we'll see it without mirrors and a license plate.

This whole project takes BMW's angular, modular, layered design approach and pushes it into sci-fi territory in search of a smart, connected city commuting machine that delivers a few giggles as well through sharp handling and a punchy electric motor.

The battery pack – specified for somewhere around 120 km (75 mi) of range – sits low and flat, and the motor and belt drive system are pretty compact, so from the outset, the team had pretty much free reign to design something remarkable and challenging.

Hence, the long, flat, one-size-fits all seat, the odd underseat storage bin, the vast wheelbase and single-sided swingarm and the angular, almost sporty looking front fairing over a sawn-off front fender.

Storage under the seat is big enough for a helmet
Storage under the seat is big enough for a helmet

This is definitely a softening of the Concept Link bike, though; gone are the exposed high voltage wires down the side, the seat floats a little less lightly over the body, and the Link's angry shark visage with its wonderfully evil, squinty headlight slits have been replaced with something much more boring, friendly and scootery. The placement of an actual dash has moved the weird little orange flyscreen into a position that sucks all remaining cool out of the front end from certain angles.

This is all to be expected; such is the journey from concept to production. BMW seems keen to preserve at least some of this thing's weirdness, so here's hoping the final stage of production design doesn't file too many more edges. BMW says the production reveal is only a matter of months away.

Interestingly, the Link's weirdest feature remains thus far: connected clothing that talks to the bike, allowing your jacket to light up and act as a brake light augmentation. It looks great, and while this first implementation is a parka clearly only designed for urban riding, we can see this kind of thing ending up in touring jackets as well.

The jacket has its own power source, enabling it to communicate with the bike and double the brake lights, as well as to charge your phone inductively while it's in your pocket
The jacket has its own power source, enabling it to communicate with the bike and double the brake lights, as well as to charge your phone inductively while it's in your pocket

This jacket also has its own powerbank built in, with the capability of wirelessly charging your phone when it's in the pocket, and that's another nice touch. It's lightly armored and designed to be worn on and off the bike. Again it'll be interesting to see if, and how this gear makes it through the certification process.

Source: BMW Motorrad

View gallery - 12 images
11 comments
11 comments
Dziks
I love it! But since we are "months from the production" do we know the V-max ? Is it highway legal? The power? And the PRICE? Or is it going to be as outargues expensive as other BMW C evolution electric scooter and then all the questions are irrelevant?
buzzclick
Was gonna say something about the lack of rear fender and how it can mess up the "brake light coat". So BMW will have designed one for rain, summertime and cold weather? That's nuts. Put the brake light back on the bike where it belongs please. We know a long wheelbase makes for smoother rides, but this is too long and makes this one of the chunky-assed scooters ever.
Username
Hope it's affordable.
Bruce H. Anderson
I am with buzzclick about the rear fender. It might be nimble on the road, but it looks heavy and big.
f8lee
This would be perfect for a reboot of Logan's Run! Or really, any sci-fi thing taking place in the not too distant future.

Of course the question of range comes into play - their previous e-scooter had a range of 100 miles as I recall. And perhaps a vest with the "integrated tail-lights" would be in order; after all, most riders have armored jackets already and I imagine most wouldn't want to give up what they have based on design and style.
John-Paul Hunt
Finishes wheel boot for linier induction motors using electromagnetic forces to self charge ev battery in electrical recycling of energy before needing to plug it in for 5 minutes at the converted costco gas pumping station.
David V
Given that most scooters in that (probable) price range are ridden by "suits" that need at least a top case for their work gear and a safer seat to take the young kids to school, this is a surprising design. I'm not a scoot fan but it's pretty cool looking. The coat is a great concept so obviously that's why there is no top case or rear seat support - but it's not really practical is it ?
ljaques
Insurmountable old fashioned beauty. Introducing the BMW Motorrad, by Edsel.
AngryPenguin
@buzzclick - Most carmakers seem to think that "electric" has to also mean "hilariously overcomplicated."
Nobody
Riding on a battery box without adequate fenders. I don't think so.
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