BMW C Evolution scooter test

Menus

• When we make lightning speak
• Discovery
• In the saddle
• Contact
• In the city
• Highway
• Departmental
• Braking
• Convenient
• Comfort / Duo
• Consumption
• Conclusion

When we make lightning speak

In line with the i3 or even the i7, BMW is also entering the electric market with the C Evolution scooter: a logical choice compared to motorcycles, with a vehicle that is essentially urban and unwilling to take long journeys.. After having traveled the roads in 2012, then being presented officially and in detail in 2013, the scooter therefore really arrives in dealerships and in its production version. The Bavarian manufacturer takes the opportunity to take the aesthetic codes of its thermal scooters but this time for a model entirely developed in-house. But what about a 100% electric model when Piaggio has already broken its teeth on a hybrid thermal / electric model? Test….

Discovery

The C Evolution is beautiful! Massive with an imposing size, the electric scooter takes on a very close affiliation in its overall form to the C 600 Sport but with the most elegant details from the LED lights at the front and rear or the tiny but elegant turn signals on the the rear and their frontal counterparts integrated into the mirrors.

The rear single-sided arm is also the most beautiful effect. The overall finish is neat and a cut very clearly above that of the brand’s thermal scooters. Whether it is the quality of the plastics or the assembly, we are now close to flawless, not to mention that the white, gray and green colors harmonize well, while clearly showing the "green" choice.

Whether from the side or the front, the taut lines are really sharp and rewarding. Only the rear is comparatively a bit plain, despite the LED light.

Note the on-board alarm system, which is easily activated when the scooter is touched if the key is not in the switch.

Below, the scooter is based on a tubular hybrid chassis screwed to the battery boxes.

In the saddle

The foot passes well in the center above the central bridge. As a result, it is easy to install and naturally sit on the C-Evolution with a pleasant upright position, not requiring a broken back like on some scooters. Quite high despite a saddle only 780 mm high but wide enough, the feet barely touch the ground for the 1.70 m rider. And despite everything, when stopped, you can feel the weight and the total 265 kilos, including the batteries loaded up to the saddle..

Under the eyes, we find a very respectable digital screen, clearly visible, worthy of a spaceship, almost hidden behind a huge smoke bubble; huge especially in width compared to usual standards.

The screen not only displays the usual information such as speed, totalizer, partial trip but above all the battery autonomy information with the remaining mileage but also instead of the usual barograph of the tachometer the indications on the level of energy expenditure and energy recovery (when braking) as well as the driving mode chosen (Road here).

On the left, the usual storage compartment is replaced by a hatch showing the electric charging socket.

On the right, there is a traditional storage compartment that is rather deep and wide compared to usual.

Contact

Stand raised (which serves as an automatic parking brake as on the brand’s thermal scooters), left grip tight and button pressed on the right stalk…. and it seems the scooter is running. Obviously, it’s electric and you can’t hear anything. There is no signal to indicate by vibrations or other that you are ready to drive, except for an indicator on the central dashboard.

On the other hand, the reaction to the request of the throttle is instantaneous…. and ouuuuuuiiiiiii, it is indeed gone! And if by chance you are parked incorrectly and the seat height does not facilitate maneuvering when stationary, the C Evolution is fitted with a reverse gear, which is sufficient to engage the left stalk. So, by pressing the R button and rotating the right handle, you go back! You will probably not use it very much on a daily basis, but it may prove useful, especially in urban use..

In the city

After the first few meters which make you feel the overall weight, you find yourself riding a maxi-scooter, almost usual, apart from the total absence of noise. The whole thing gives the impression of riding on velor, with a real smoothness of conduct and an instantaneous reaction between request of the throttle and acceleration. the acceleration is just daunting for the category, with a 0 to 100 km / h in 6.2 seconds. BMW announces 48 horses … very close to the largest scooters but with immediate availability at the handle.

We find the maneuverability of a maxi-scooter, even if the C Evolution is not among the largest in the category and therefore blends particularly easily into the interplay and traffic.

We have fun juggling between the four available modes – an electric ride-by-wire – offering four driving behaviors, very different but complementary. So, rather Road (normal), Dynamic, Sail or Eco Pro ?

Road mode is the default mode. It offers a good mix of acceleration and deceleration efficiency, with energy recovery under braking. This is because electricity is characterized in particular by the virtual non-use of the brake handles. The simple act of reducing throttle acts directly on speed and allows you to brake naturally, as if there were a huge engine brake..

But on the C-Evolution, this engine brake varies enormously depending on the driving modes. Reasonable in Road mode, it is very strong in Dynamic mode and apparently totally absent in Sail mode.

Dynamic mode provides maximum acceleration while strongly recovering energy during deceleration. The response to the throttle is therefore instantaneous and truly effective. This is the one that gets you from 0 to 100 km / h in four seconds. And indeed, it grows strong, really strong, much stronger than its thermal equivalent in particular. However, as soon as you release the right handle, the scooter seems to brake immediately in stride, without affecting the brakes..

Sail mode offers acceleration as in "Road" mode but offers no resistance to deceleration and therefore no braking, allowing freewheeling, which is very pleasant in "cool" driving. It suffices to accelerate as in the other modes, then to let yourself slide as soon as the handle is released. However, the engine resumes immediately at any new request of the right handle. Ideal on small roads, in town, this mode tends to use the real brake too often.

Eco-Pro mode, on the other hand, limits acceleration and therefore recovers as much energy as possible when braking. It is undoubtedly the most economical mode, but also the least pleasant in everyday life, whatever the terrain, for those who use the scooter as a big toy. But for the regular user, it is very likely that this mode will become a habit.

Highway

The C Evolution takes a strong drive on the motorway and seems to accelerate really very easily to 120 km / h then continues to nibble 8-9 km / h to titillate the 130 km / h counter, or 120 km / h real. This is more than sufficient in peri-urban areas, especially since the acceleration is straightforward at these speeds, compared to 125 cm3 which often struggle above 90 km / h. We can therefore slip perfectly into the fast flow of expressways, without any risk, with the same recovery capacities at 60 km / h as at 110 km / h. This makes overtaking heavy vehicles worry-free and even easier as the scooter remains unperturbed and in line with impressive stability. At this speed, the wide bubble protects very effectively not only the bust but also the arms in width. And at height, it does not generate any eddies or parasitic noise in the helmet, which makes driving all the more pleasant, even at maximum speed.

Departmental

At ease both in town and on the motorway, the arrival on the departmental road makes you fear a less favorable playground for the 265 kilos of the scooter. On the contrary, it would seem that this one never has enough. The ideal mode then switches to Dynamic to chain the virolos. The C-Evolution lends itself particularly well to the game with a liveliness that was not necessarily expected of it, with the ability to really put the handle in the corner. The scooter then easily changes angle to chain the baffles in a disconcerting way and willingly accepts to accelerate the pace with impeccable and safe handling. Nothing seems to be able to alter the optimism of the pilot, perfectly supported by a machine which perfectly follows the rhythm without disuniting or worrying its pilot at any time and this, in spite of particularly wet roads of the woods during the test, perfectly assisted by Michelin tire fitting.

Braking

With the engine braking, particularly effective in 3 of the available modes, you can almost do without using the brakes on a daily basis. Suddenly, we would almost forget that the scooter is despite everything equipped with a double 270 mm disc with 2 floating calipers with 2 pistons at the front while the rear benefits from a 270 mm single disc with floating caliper 2 pistons. Here, brakes well and hard … when you need it.

Convenient

This is the big flaw of electric scooters, that is to say the storage capacity, which disappears in favor of the batteries. So there is only a small lockable box here under the passenger seat and the front storage compartment. The addition of a top-case is strongly recommended to carry all the usual necessities of a standard commuter, even if a full-face helmet can be placed in the trunk.

Comfort / Duo

If the seat is a little firm, the C Evolution passes the block test without a hitch, showing that without offering Pullman comfort, its use and comfort are superior to some scooters and maxi-scooters on the market..

The passenger handles offer an excellent grip…. on a very high saddle, really very high overhanging the pilot. This therefore ensures a field of vision of the passenger really above that of the pilot..

Consumption

Depending on the use and the itchiness of the right grip, the range of the C Evolution is between 100 and 130 kilometers. It will then take 2h30 to fully recharge it on an Autolib type terminal (with their guest socket) and around 4 hours if you recharge from a socket in your private garage. In fact, the energy gauge drops by around 1% every kilometer, which is quite impressive on a daily basis, especially when at the end of the test, the indicator shows only 7 km of autonomy and has almost gave the impression that one would have to push to get in. This autonomy is however precise and even more so, since the scooter in fact uses a range between 20% and 80% of the battery; this in order to extend its lifespan. So in reality, even when the scooter indicates 0 km, the battery is actually still 20% charged. On Autolib terminals, the guest socket allows you to charge for two hours free of charge, making refueling almost free, apart from the initial price of the subscription card..

Conclusion

BMW has not skimped on the release of its electric scooter, putting it automatically at the highest level of performance of the moment for a price barely higher than a thermal equivalent – 15,400 euros anyway – but with a quality of finish and unparalleled performance, for urban use, allowing for simplified recharging. Because with just over 100 kilometers of range, it is not – yet – a question of considering a trip to the beach from Paris, which is possible with the first of the 125cc scooters. There is no doubt that performance in terms of autonomy will improve over the years, which then encourages the choice of C Evolution in LOA mode, with a rental price without contribution of 295 euros per month, but with a guaranteed recovery at 30 % after 3 years, when the batteries will have gained in autonomy. Otherwise, there would be a great risk of a difficult resale on the second-hand market. However, such a test is bluffing by the efficiency and the pleasure provided, despite the absence of noise and because of the absence of noise. The four driving modes also provide real driving pleasure, thanks to the motor character that adapts to the desires of its pilot, finger and eye, while driving. And when we think that these real 120 km / h are the result of a restriction, intended in particular to promote autonomy, there is no doubt that the coming years will see an improvement in performance for a scooter already built today to drive more. faster and longer.

Strong points

• really punchy engine
• comfort
• finish and overall aesthetic

Weak points

• autonomy

The technical sheet of the BMW C Evolution

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