BMW’s scooter future

Posted on November 12, 2010 02:18 PM

After conquering the various big bike segments with their R, K and S-series motorcycles. BMW has set its sights on the big scooter market, which is expected to grow in the future. Their foray will first give rise to two innovative premium scooters with internal combustion engines. The differing characteristics of this concept will appeal to a broad target group. In addition, some thought is being given to a future alternative drive with electric motor.

BMW Motorrad will be combining in these scooters the outstanding handling of the motorcycle with the particular agility and conceptual comfort of the scooter for the maximum experience of dynamic riding – a big scooter made by BMW Motorrad. There are plans to manufacture these future production vehicles at the BMW Motorrad plant in Berlin.

As usual at BMW Motorrad, there is more to this study than just an attempt to present a big scooter for the highest demands. Rather, the designers and engineers of BMW Motorrad focused above all on the emotive component in addition to the technical function and quality – and the thrill from the very first moment on.

Concept C as a vision of the big scooter is immediately recognisable as a member of the BMW Motorrad family. For instance, it also presents the so-called “split face”, a visual tripartite of dynamic response extending from the front silhouette to the front wheel cover and beyond. In the style of highly sporty BMW Motorrad models, such as the S 1000 RR, Concept C also features a twin-tipped front spoiler.

Unlike the L shaped side view presented up to now by big scooters, with their predominantly vertical body lines and colour scheme, Concept C has ventured on a new, much more sporty and dynamic path. The body lines sweeping up to the vehicle’s rear underscore this big scooter’s active riding character. The high rear section emphasises the lightness and agility of Concept C's powerful two-cylinder engine. Sportiness and dynamism are also underscored by the close cut, speeder-style windscreen.

The functional side of this scooter is expressed in stylish design elements, such as the aluminium look of the bash plates with the air intake adopted from the BMW GS.

The black chromium of the suspension and frame parts form a thrilling, dynamic relationship with the aluminium chromium, silver, and blue paintwork of the body parts. In addition, the black satin sections present a high-contrast emphasis on the vehicle’s central area. This highly technical and high-quality elegance is borne further by finely worked details, such as the fuel tank cover reminiscent of aircraft and the short, sporty muffler. The visionary facet of Concept C is presented by the tyres with flanks and treads of blue.

Concept C presents unusual and innovative solutions that offer a wide prospect of what in future can become reality in this segment. For instance, it features a highly complex monolever mechanism with hollowed-out shaft connected to a suspension strut visible from the outside. In this study, front-wheel control takes the form of an upside down fork.

The stable twin disc brake at the front features two radial brake callipers that also underscore the dynamic sportiness of the machine. In addition, the single disc brake at the rear and the BMW Motorrad ABS provide the maximum possible safety during braking manoeuvres.

The dynamic and equally comfortable driving force behind Concept C is provided by a new, two-cylinder inline engine in conjunction with CVT (continuously variable transmission). Engine power, torque, and therefore performance will be moving towards the top of the segment.

Light is cast on a more distant point in the future by the LED headlamp integrated into the face panelling. This future vision is also continued by the deliberate absence of conventional rear view mirrors, which will be replaced in Concept C with two video cameras in the rear. These record the area behind the vehicle and transfer the images to two LCD monitors in the cockpit within view of the rider. The road speed, engine speed, and other data appear on a third LCD display integrated at the centre of the cockpit.