At the Frankfurt International Motor Show, BMW unveiled its latest design concept in electromobility area. The design study BMW Concept e embodies the vision of an electrically powered scooter made by BMW Motorrad.
Increasing limitations in traffic space, growing traffic density as well as both ecological and economical challenges give rise to new demands in the area of private transport in the major conurbation areas in particular. An e-scooter with sustainable technological solutions and the aesthetic design of the Concept e provides a response to these changing urban mobility needs.
With its Concept e, BMW Motorrad shows how attractive and fascinating the interpretation of the theme of electrical drive on two wheels can be in terms of design, while at the same time attracting attention to its new business area "Urban Mobility."
BMW Motorrad designers have developed the style and shaping of the e-scooter of the future - electric, digital, dynamic. The designers deliberately allowed themselves plenty of freedom so as to be able to strike out new, creative paths in the design of components and surfaces.
The shaping and precision achieved reflect the core values of BMW Motorrad: emotion, dynamic performance and innovation. At the same time, the purist, clear design, colouring and choice of materials instantly suggest a clean, efficient yet agile single-track vehicle which allows one to move effortlessly through city traffic.
The Concept e is more than just an idea for a new vehicle. In addition to technical functionality and quality, the BMW Motorrad designers attach importance to an emotional dialogue between rider and vehicle. Their basic premise is that a vehicle has to do more than just function - it has to arouse the rider's emotions, too. It has to inspire the rider again and again, as well as reflect its specific technological features.
The Concept e is the conceptual blueprint of a scooter able to set new standards with innovative premium electrical drive and provide a sound alternative form of mobility suitable for everyday use in the dense traffic of the constantly expanding conurbation areas and cities of the world today.
The successful BMW Motorrad design style is reflected in the styling of the twin-tipped spoiler in the floating panel of the front trim, a boomerang-shaped, aerodynamically formed floating panel. The short, sporty rear highlights the active riding character of the electrically powered scooter, giving it a visual sense of dynamic performance which is underscored by the low cut windshield.
The dynamic performance, fascination and especially the environmental compatibility of electrical mobility is reflected in the colour and material concept. The front and rear side trim sections finished in "Light white" generate a fascinating contrast with components such as the upper trim section in "Black chrome light" and side sills coated in "Black chrome dark", thereby emphasising the scooter's technological features. The vehicle's overall impression of high quality is borne out by finely cut details in "Natural aluminium", the asymmetrically designed, solid-milled holder for the front trim section and the central tunnel in "Textured steel". The design of the light alloy wheels is derived from the styling of the BMW i automobiles.
Made from acrylic glass and featuring a rear-set metal grid and "Concept e" lettering, the two side covers of the battery and drive unit in "Electric yellow" symbolise the technical character of an electrically powered scooter. In combination with other accentuations in "Electric yellow" such as the front trim section, the rear section and the hollow-bore wheel axle, these stand for the vehicle's specific properties of maximum environmental compatibility, supreme dynamic performance and easy handling. To match this, the charging socket is positioned in the front section of the central tunnel and features a transparent plastic cover.
The Concept e highlights its visionary character by dispensing with conventional rear mirrors. Instead there are two video cameras integrated in the glass of the rear light cluster which clearly displays the situation on the road behind the rider on two LCD monitors installed in the cockpit. Speed and other relevant data is shown on a digital display in the cockpit which is reduced to the essentials.