BMW to Unveil Five New Models Including Electric Scooter Production Model

BMW announced it will unveil at least five new models over the next few months, starting with the production version of the C evolution electric scooter. BMW will likely reveal most of these new models at the 2013 EICMA Show in Milan in November but the new electric scooter will make its public debut tomorrow at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.

“No fewer than five new models will be unveiled to the public in the coming months. The production version of the first BMW electric scooter will make its world debut at the IAA Car Show in Frankfurt, starting 10 September 2013,” says Heiner Faust, BMW Motorrad head of sales and marketing. “This sees BMW Motorrad starting a whole new chapter in the area of ‘urban mobility.’ The BMW electric-scooter combines sheer pleasure and dynamism on the road with the benefits of a zero-emissions vehicle, creating a new kind of experience on two wheels.”

BMW has been testing the C evolution concept scooter for more than a year now at various events in Europe including the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The concept model used an electric motor that claims a continuous output of 14.8 hp and a peak output of 46.9 hp, enough to propel the C evolution up to a claimed top speed of 75 mph. The motor is powered by an 8 kWh battery which BMW says provides a range of about 60 miles.

Faust says the production version will use the same storage modules and electronic components as BMW’s recently revealed i3 electric car, though the scooter will likely use smaller, lighter components.

As for the other four models to be revealed, we expect they will consist of a naked version of the S1000RR, a liquid-cooled R1200GS Adventure, an updated R1200RT using the new liquid-cooled engine, and a new boxer-engined roadster.

BMW hopes these new models will help maintain the company’s current momentum. BMW reported another record month in August, selling 7,708 motorcycles and scooters worldwide, up from the previous August record of 7400 units set last year. BMW says it sold 83,890 units over the first eight months of 2013 including 19,083 of the new R1200GS since its launch in March.

By Dennis Chung