Tiny Yet Mighty

Enter the BMW CE 02, a 15-hp e-scooter that looks more like a design project dreamt up by a skateboarding intern than a production two-wheeler, but in terms of youth appeal and, yes, that X-factor, it is taking no prisoners

- Adam Child 'Chad'

BMW DESCRIBE IT AS AN eParkourer and, while the CE 02’s styling influences are clear, this German electric is much more than a design exercise. It features a reverse gear, two selectable riding modes as standard, traction control, and anti-lock braking system (ABS). There is also Recuperative Stability Control (RSC), which acts like a slipper clutch, and a keyless ride.

It will come to the market this spring in two variants. A base model (which makes 4.0 kW (5.4 hp) and is effectively a 50-cc equivalent) will be priced at £7,450 (Rs 7.79 lakh) while a full power 11-kW (15-hp) version will start at £8,450 (Rs 8.83 lakh). Opt for the Highline package, which adds gold forks and graphics and a raft of goodies including an extra riding mode, hot grips, a smartphone holder, and a quick-charger that reduces the charging time from 5.2 hours to 3.5 hours, and that price leaps to £9,330 (Rs 9.75 lakh). So, it is expensive, especially for children.

The 15-hp CE 02’s motor has a continuous power rating of 6.0 kW (8.2 hp) and makes a handsome 55 Nm of torque right from the initial opening of the throttle. The bike has two batteries, each 48-volt and rated at 1.96 kWh, a claimed top speed of 95 km/h and 0-50 km/h acceleration time of three seconds. Under World Test Motorcycle Conditions, battery range is a claimed 90 km.

There are two riding modes, Flow and Surf. While Flow is an urban setting with a soft throttle response and medium energy recuperation, Surf is a sharper mode with no energy recuperation to allow coasting on a closed throttle. A sporty Flash mode is available only with the Highline package.