After having made a lot of talk about him, until see it during tests, BMW Motorrad has officially unveiled the CE-04 electric scooter, which would be just the first part of its vision of electrified urban mobility. A version close to the series under the name “Definition CE-04” had already been presented in 2020.
Let's start with power and performance. The CE 04 uses a liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous motor, spinning at 12 rpm and capable of producing a peak power of 300 hp, but as always with electric vehicles, this figure is not as simple as it doesn't seem like it at first. The 42 hp figure is the absolute peak the scooter can achieve, but its power is actually rated at 42 hp. this is power that can be sustained for an unlimited period without overheating, while peak power is available for brief periods (much like the maximum power of a combustion engine).
A “restricted” version will be available for A1 licenses, with a nominal power of 11 kW (15 hp) and an estimated peak power of 23 kW (31 hp). All for a weight of 275 kg.
BMW Motorrad announces a top speed of 120 km/h – whatever the power of the scooter – and an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 9,1 seconds for the full power model and 9,9 seconds for the restricted version . An 8,9 kWh battery powers the engine, with a range of use in town estimated at around 130 kilometers for the full power version, and 100 kilometers for the restricted version.
If the battery is completely flat, the charging time is 4 hours 20 minutes. A fast charger reduces the duration to 1 hour 40 minutes. However, as most smartphone and laptop users are accustomed to, they generally do not let their electronic devices completely discharge before recharging them. That's why BMW also advertises that if the CE-04's battery gets down to 20% and the user just wants to charge it to 80% before hitting the road, this fast charger can do it in just 45 minutes. There are ideal conditions, and then there is the real world, and it seems BMW is thinking about both.
Unlike most electric motorcycles, the CE 04 uses regenerative charging, recharging the battery while coasting. The scooter's driving modes change the regeneration effect as well as power delivery and battery usage – 'Eco' adds more engine braking and regeneration and limits acceleration to save energy of the battery, “Rain” cuts the engine braking effect and gives smoother acceleration, “Road” allows full performance. The range values indicated are measured in “Road” mode. If you opt for the Dynamic package, you also get a 'Dynamic' mode which combines maximum acceleration performance with additional engine braking effect.
All CE-04s feature dual disc brakes at the front and a single disc at the rear, and you ride on 15-inch wheels, which will undoubtedly be more comfortable than many scooters equipped with the smaller wheels. ABS is standard and cornering ABS is available as an option. LED lighting is also standard, as is the 10,25-inch TFT color dashboard with connectivity and integrated navigation system. There's a cell phone charging compartment with a USB-C charging port, and it's actively ventilated to keep your phone cool while charging.
Another option kit includes luggage, sticker kits, charging cables and – perhaps most surprisingly – a futuristic LED-lit design jacket that was revealed alongside the 'Definition CE' concept bike 04” last year. Called the Tokyo Connect GTX Parka, it features LED strips, each individually adjustable in color, and a Bluetooth connection to pair it with a smartphone. For a real cyberpunk effect, there's even a touch panel sewn into the sleeve to activate the lights and operate the Bluetooth connection.
The jacket can be used with an external battery or plugged directly into the CE 12's 04V accessory socket, and has an interior pocket that includes a charging connector for your phone. On top of all that, it features removable shoulder and elbow protection and a pocket for a back protector, all made with breathable three-layer Gore-Tex Pro material.
Pricing and availability for the BMW CE-04 have not yet been announced.
