All Tests – C evolution test: the BMW electric scooter is ready – BMW C evolution technical update

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C evolution test: the BMW electric scooter is ready

All Tests - C evolution test: the BMW electric scooter is ready - BMW C evolution technical update

Gone are the days of concepts and prototypes, exhibitions and demonstrations: the BMW C evolution electric scooter is coming to BMW dealerships. Site was able to test its final version… and the current has gone well! First try.

BMW C evolution technical update

Motorization

Housed at the head of the oscillating arm, the electric motor – synchronous with permanent magnets – delivers a nominal power of 11 kW (or 15 horsepower, allowing it to integrate the MTL category), but it can reach a peak of 35 kW (47, 5 hp) at 4650 rpm. Its torque of 72 Nm is available from the first lap, and up to 4,500 rpm.

The transmission is provided by a toothed belt, which drives the rear wheel via an epicyclic gear with a reduction ratio of 1 to 8.28. BMW ensures that the proximity of the swingarm axis to the engine output shaft has reduced the moment of inertia around the swingarm pivot, and optimized rear suspension tuning.

The engine is powered by a battery made up of three accumulator modules of 12 lithium-ion cells each, with a capacity of 60Ah and a normal voltage of 3.7V. In total, the battery capacity reaches 8 kWh which allows to travel about 100 km (depending on the driving mode adopted, see the electronic part).

The time required for a full charge on the household electrical network (ordinary 220 volt, 12 ampere outlet) is estimated at around 4 hours but can be reduced to 3 hours on a 220V / 16A socket. The plug is located in the apron on the left under the handlebars.

A five-year warranty accompanies the battery: over this period, "the implementation of complex monitoring systems (it) makes it possible to provide at least 80 percent of its capacity", promise the engineers.

Still according to them, a C evolution stored in the back of a box – often without an electrical outlet! – "only loses about 1% battery in a month". We should therefore be able to abandon it without worry during the summer holidays or during the coldest weeks in winter….

While the elements confined in electric cars (including the i3, with which the C evolution shares the batteries elsewhere) require liquid cooling – "refrigerant", specify the Germans -, that of the BMW scooter is satisfied with an air cooling.

Much less bulky and heavy than the liquid system, it actually comes down to an air duct installed in the direction of travel which allows the wind to rush towards the battery box, the bottom of which is provided with slight ribs . A fan placed at the bottom of the battery box allows air to circulate during charging.

The electric motor and its power electronics, on the other hand, benefit from liquid cooling, which explains the presence of a radiator in the front right fairing. Coolant circulation is provided by an electric liquid pump.

BMW Motorrad benefits greatly from the experience of the branch – trunk! – BMW automotive in terms of electric mobility: in addition to the use of the i3 accumulator modules (three modules on the scooter, eight on the car), the C evoluton includes certain electronic components common to the i3 and i8.

The synergies between the two entities (2-wheeler and 4-wheeler) also concern electrotechnical safety: BMW is proud to announce that its scooter is the first two-wheeler with an electric motor to meet the standards adopted by the main car manufacturers: ISO 26262 for operational safety and ECE-R100 for high voltage safety (the voltage range varies from 100 to 155 volts casually!).

In terms of pure performance, the new scooter beats its brother C 600 Sport by accelerating from 0 to 50 km / h (2.7 seconds according to BMW) and manages to support the comparison up to 100 km / h (6, 2 s). The top speed of the electric scooter is, however, electronically restricted to 120 km / h, when the thermal can reach 175 km / h (manufacturer data).

Small bonus of the electric version: the scooter offers reverse gear assistance activated from the "R" commodo (like "Rear"). To back up, the driver must keep this button pressed and manage the throttle as he does when driving forward..

Part-cycle

Qualified as a hybrid by the manufacturer, the cycle part of the scooter is mainly based on the battery box. On this robust die-cast aluminum element are grafted two steel tube supports for the steering head at the front and the single-sided swingarm at the rear.

The 15-inch front wheel is guided by an inverted telescopic fork (non-adjustable) whose tubes measure 40 mm in diameter and can dive 120 mm. A combined spring / shock absorber (adjustable preload) is mounted on the left side and ensures the connection with the swingarm at the rear (115 mm travel).

Three 270 mm discs (two at the front, one at the rear) are bitten by a two-piston floating caliper and are responsible for slowing down the 265 kg beast all full. By way of comparison, the C 600 Sport is given for 239 kg and shares its same running gear with its electric brother: brakes therefore, but also rims, suspensions and Pirelli Diablo Scooter tires..

Like the rest of the BMW range, the C evolution has ABS as standard: the two-channel Bosch 9M in this case "which weighs only 700 grams on the scale and allows individual regulation of the front and rear braking circuits", specifies the manufacturer.

Finally, like its cousins ​​C 600 Sport and C 650 GT, the Behème electric scooter automatically engages its parking brake as soon as the side stand is out. It also has a center stand.

Electronic

In order to increase its range, the scooter is equipped with an energy recovery system which automatically intervenes when the gas is cut off, when decelerating and / or when braking: it depends on the driving mode selected. !

Four modes are proposed by the manufacturer and presented as follows:

  • Road Mode: Allows full acceleration to be exploited, but only triggers approximately 50% recovery under deceleration. When braking, energy recovery – which is similar to driving with an engine brake – is total. It is in this mode that the two-wheeler reaches its standard autonomy: 100 km.

  • Eco Pro mode: the inertia torque is increased during deceleration so that the recovery rate is maximum. Acceleration is limited – "at nominal 11kW", taught us a member of the BMW staff -, hence an increase in autonomy of 10 to 20%.

  • Sail mode: the moment of inertia is zero on deceleration and energy recovery is limited to braking only. The "engine brake" is absent when the throttle is cut off, so that the two-wheeler continues on its course, as when a thermal engine pilot grabs the clutch, and spins freewheeling..

  • Dynamic mode: for particularly dynamic driving – hence the name! -, this mode combines full acceleration and intense energy recovery. The high inertia torque gives the impression of strong engine braking.

Comparable to the ASC (Automatic Stability Control) traction control fitted to BMW motorcycles with combustion engines, the TCA (Torque Control Assist) torque limiter fitted as standard in the C evolution prevents any rear tire slipping – especially when starting off – on road surfaces. with reduced grip.

In the event of intense energy recovery (Eco Pro or Dynamic mode), the TCA is also used to prevent the rear wheel from jamming, especially on slippery roads, a bit like an antidribble.

Covered with electronics, the C evolution includes a large number of high-voltage type components (cables, plugs, electronics for the battery and safety circuit breaker) from the automotive sector that meet the most severe standards..

Also included are the ISO controller monitoring the insulation, the high voltage indicator and the high voltage distributor, as well as the direct current converter which supplies the onboard network and the electronic boxes operating on 12 volts..

This current is also used to power the lighting (LEDs for the rear lights, indicators and daytime running lights) as well as the TFT color screen which provides all the information necessary for the pilot and which the Site has taken care to list in the technical sheet in next page…

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