BMW Motorrad CE 02 : Youthful Freedom

“At first glance, there is little about the BMW Motorrad CE 02 that is typically BMW Motorrad – it’s something completely new. 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 features new proportions and modern forms of single-track mobility in an urban environment. 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 fun,”

Edgar Heinrich, Head of Design BMW Motorrad. 

One week before the IAA Transportation 2021, BMW Motorrad unveils the Concept CE 02, a new expression of smart, urban single-track mobility. The electric vehicle concept, which is neither a traditional motorcycle nor a scooter, is a thrilling and deeply emotional mode of transportation. 

It also obviously appeals to a new target group with its tiny dimensions and youthful proportions: persons aged 16 and above who have never ridden a motorcycle before but are open to new experiences, smart technology, and, above all, combining mobility with enjoyment. The BMW Motorrad CE 02 is a lightweight e-vehicle weighing around 120 kg that is perfect for urban use, providing a high enjoyment factor as well as simple yet attractive commuting. Fast acceleration at traffic lights is possible thanks to the 11 kW of output and all of the torque accessible from a standstill. With a top speed of 90 km/h and a range of 90 km, it’s simple to get from point A to point B – and back – even in congested city traffic. 

Design

The overall look of the two-wheeler reveals the novel character of the BMW Motorrad Concept CE 02 at first glance. “We wanted to develop an easily accessible two-wheeler for everyone who wants to be mobile and independent,” says Alexander Buckan, Head of Vehicle Design BMW Motorrad. “The BMW Motorrad Concept CE 02 is a reliable companion on a day-to-day basis. You love it because it’s always there for you and it just works – even if you occasionally don’t treat it as carefully as you might. And there are stickers, tapes and other forms of customization that make it quite clear to everyone that it belongs to you. It embodies youthful freedom and a carefree spirit – rather like a skateboard on two wheels.” 

The proportions are straightforward and transparent, resulting in an honest and emotional aesthetic appeal. Two huge wheels, comparable to those on a fun bike, offer sturdiness and simple riding enjoyment. They’re styled like disc wheels to graphically emphasise the vehicle’s proportions. The dark region housing the two battery units, as well as the silver accents on the drive, help to produce a compact design. The unusual silhouette is completed by the long, narrow seat and the frame. 

The centre of gravity is low and favourable when it comes to riding characteristics thanks to the flat vehicle body. The BMW Motorrad Concept CE 02, on the other hand, looks inviting and confident thanks to its huge disc wheels and low seat height. Not only do the proportions allow for an extremely nimble riding experience, but they are also meant to inspire non-motorcyclists to hop on and try it out. 

The concept’s adaptability is shown in the continuous seat. The seat allows for a variety of sitting positions, whether leaning far back with your feet first, leaning forward with your feet on the rear footrests, or, of course, with two persons, because the electric drive eliminates the need for a foot brake lever. Furthermore, the area between the seat and the frame provides space for small luggage items. Two crossed-over petrol-colored elastic bands are fastened to the front section of the seat in such a way that smaller items can be casually tucked in. The brackets provide additional storage space, and the front footrests are also mounted here. You can also use your own skateboard as an attachment. 

On closer study, the minimalist design reveals high-quality features and technical advancements. A square, black headlamp with four unique LED elements as front headlights provides illumination. The rear light is made up of two small translucent LED leaves mounted on the left and right sides of the back seat. Basic display functionality is provided via a small color screen mounted on the handlebars, which is connected by a visible, visually overemphasized cable harness. Otherwise, the technology is kept to a minimum. The highlighted parts such as the drive belt, handlebars, and fork, in combination with the disc wheels and single-sided swinging arm, emphasize the concept bike’s urban, modern nature in detail. 

In terms of colour, the BMW Motorrad Concept CE 02 stays true to its roots with a black/silver colour scheme. The colour black harkens back to the early BMW motorcycles. What’s unique here is the combination of matt and high-gloss finishes, which gives the concept bike more personality. Silver-colored features, such as the triple clamp or the drive, white graphics, and petrol-colored luggage straps, add targeted accents to the overall look, breaking it up. Technoid typography is used as an active design element to express the link between technical knowledge on equipment and typography. The BMW logo is embedded into the whitish silicone seat directly in front of the handlebars; otherwise, the brand is indicated only by the BMW wordmark on the rims and luggage straps. 

The BMW Motorrad Concept CE 02, with its subdued colour scheme, gives the ideal platform for the rider to express their unique personality. Additional personalization using stickers or tapes is also possible and desirable. 

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