All Tests – C evolution test: the BMW electric scooter is ready – BMW markets its C evolution

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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 markets its C evolution

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 markets its C evolution

The bend negotiated by BMW Auto a few months ago with the i3 is now taken by BMW Motorrad with the C evolution! To do this, German engineers have assembled the battery modules of their 100% electric car to the running gear of their maxi thermal scooters. A kind of "best of BMW", in short.

C evolution: availability, colors and price

  • Availability: immediate in the

  • Colors: unique !

  • Price: € 15,400

In, this electric scooter was already tested in its prototype version by Site last summer (read our). But this time, it’s good: BMW has invited MNC to the international launch of the C evolution, which is currently joining the .

Externally, there is no upheaval between the final model and its previous "proto" version. The general lines are identical and remain faithful to those of the original E-Concept (read).

According to its designer Sebastian Wilm, the parts of the fairing painted in "alpine" white are there to evoke the purity of the vehicle, while those painted in gray serve to focus the gaze on the center of the machine: the green "electric panel" "- naturlich – which hides the battery pack (see our technical point).

"We know that hybrid or electric cars are often associated with the color blue, this is also the case with our i3 and our future i8.", confirms to Site the designer,"but we wanted to distinguish our scooter from the i series, precisely".

Although it steals their technology from 100% electric Munich cars, the 100% electric Berlin scooter is keen to keep its "BMW Motorrad" style and its membership in the "C" series. Its face is also very close to that of the .

As announced at the, the green central panel is devoid of backlight: "unfortunately it is illegal", explain the Germans. He also loses in passing the cover of the same color fixed on the swingarm, which is more regrettable !

Indeed, the coarse finish of the black plastic engine crankcase – as well as that of the central tunnel and the storage compartments – does not do justice to the fairings and the cockpit trim, much more successful: on these last elements, the quality perceived is remarkable.

The dashboard also makes a very strong impression. It will amaze old bikers and attract young scooter riders with its TFT active matrix color screen, both very readable and super complete (see all its information in our technical sheet).

By scrolling through the data one by one using the handlebar control, we quickly realize that no information is missing on this scooter of the new millennium. The only missing function: the one that avoids crushing old pedestrians with poorly adjusted hearing systems or young cyclists with walkmans adjusted, but too loud !

Indeed, if the absence of noise from electric vehicles is a considerable advantage for their user, it is sometimes criticized by other road users … But they should think twice before complaining, and to force manufacturers to equip their future machines with fake soundtracks which would unnecessarily pollute our sound environment !

Will pedestrians have to be (re) taught to look before crossing? Or the motorists to be wary (always more) of the blind spots of their mirrors ?! Should we create an application warning of the approach of an electric vehicle for those who can not look up from their smartphone? This essay should provide the first answers…

Future owners of the C evolution, for their part, will take care not to abuse the surprising performance of their scooter. Indeed, if the nominal power delivered by the electric motor of 11 kW allows the BMW scooter to integrate the MTL class (accessible to B licenses), its peak power amounts to 35 kW. !

Site observes in passing that this value corresponds to the maximum value of MT1. In the event of a possible change in legislation in terms of homologation and classification of electric two-wheelers, BMW could therefore target A2 licenses and not be limited to only holders of the A license … !

Before testing the accelerations and pickups of the C evolution deemed equivalent to those of a 600 cc by its designers, Site completes the owner’s tour by lifting the passenger seat, which remained closed when we first made contact with the heaps of sensors and others. electronic gadgets were then hiding underneath…

On the contrary, today there appears a trunk with an unexpected size that easily accommodates a full-face or modular helmet. You can choose to store the essential extension cord there, in the event that it does not manage to go into the deep but a little choppy pocket right of the apron.

Lower and a little narrower than the saddle of the C 600 Sport, that of the C evolution – this time on the driver’s side, irremovable – seems very thin when viewed from the side. But having seen a copy cut in half, MNC can say that it is a little deeper than it seems..

By stepping forward on the tip of the saddle, riders over 1.65 m can calmly put both heels on the ground. Access to the ground is facilitated by the clever floor cutout which frees up space for the calves.

Thanks to its low center of gravity, the C evolution is not too hard to get off the side stand. However, the new BMW scooter cannot be qualified as accessible because of its significant weight (265 kg in running order), which makes it much more difficult to handle than a 125 scooter. !

Fortunately, the German engineers had the good sense to provide their electric machine with a reverse gear in order to facilitate the task of the owner. It is also obvious to use: the pilot keeps the R button on the left-hand stalk pressed, then manages his speed by means of the accelerator..

The starting procedure of the C evolution is just as childish because it is identical to that of internal combustion vehicles: insertion of the ignition key, rotation, then pressure on the starter … without forgetting to pull on one of the two brake levers. (front left and rear right!)

Not a sound, not a jerk … The only indication that the engine is running – or rather, that it is ready to run! – is on the dashboard where a big arrow appears which invites us to leave, straight ahead. So let’s go for a walk of about 60 km in Barcelona !

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