BMW Motorcycle Definition CE 04.

The new form of urban two-wheel mobility.

12.11.2020

With the BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04, the further development of the BMW Motorrad Concept Link will be shown at the #NEXTGen 2020. As a link to the analogue and digital world of the user, the BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 is both a means of transport and communication for the city commuter. With electric drive, forward-looking design and innovative connectivity solutions, it is time to redefine the scooter segment.

Photos: BMW

With the BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04, the BMW Group will be showing the further development of the BMW Motorrad Concept Link at the #NEXTGen 2020. As a link between the analogue and digital world of the user, the BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 is both a means of transport and communication for the urban commuter. With electric drive, forward-looking design and innovative connectivity solutions, it is time to redefine the scooter segment.

"Plugged to life" – electrically driven and connected to the life of the driver.

The electrically driven BMW Motorrad Concept Definition CE 04 has been consistently developed and adapted to the everyday needs and requirements of the customer. True to the motto "Plugged to Life", it combines the analog world of the customer with the digital one. Combined with the associated intelligent driver equipment, a holistic, highly emotional and newly conceived mobility experience is created.

"Electromobility is a key form of drive for the BMW Group and it consistently relies on this technology in its sustainability strategy. Electric drives are also a topical topic for BMW Motorrad, especially for the urban environment. Since 2013, we have been pioneers here with the BMW C evolution production vehicle. The BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 is the logical continuation of the electromobility strategy for urban agglomerations and provides a concrete outlook on what a timely production vehicle can look like, with which we will take two-wheeled electric mobility in metropolitan areas to a new level, both technically and visually," explains Edgar Heinrich, Head of Design BMW Motorrad.

Innovative architecture and forward-looking design.

The segment-defining design of the CE 04 definition stands for a new, urban aesthetic. If the BMW Motorrad Concept Link in 2017 still seems like a vision far from the future, the BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 in 2020 will transfer the radical design of the Concept Link almost unchanged towards series production.

"We have managed to transfer many innovative elements and details of the concept into the series. The technical conditions of the electric drive – such as the flat energy storage system in the underbody and the compact drive – give us the opportunity to design a design that clearly differentiates itself from the traditional design language and defines a new urban aesthetic at first glance. A design that follows the basic needs for objective functionality, clear aesthetics and the digital reality of today's users. The new architecture has led to an optical revolution and has created many new design themes. Maybe it will polarize, but it will definitely stand out," says Alexander Buckan, Head of Vehicle Design BMW Motorrad.

Visually, the BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 clearly breaks with the appearance of previously known scooters. Instead, a long, low vehicle body and the diagonally towering front section create a silhouette that is as modern as it is clear. The spacious, quiet surface design with sharply drawn edges fits perfectly into a modern, urban environment. The flat battery in the underbody opens up new freedoms, such as the new side-folding and illuminated storage solution, which allows the driver easy access to the helmet and co. with a side compartment. In addition, the low-lying flat storage provides a favorable centre of gravity, which is accompanied by playful handling and dynamic driving pleasure.

Clear forms and modern technology are interpreted timelessly.

Clear lines, generous surfaces and precise design language underline the modern impression of proportions. The coloured division further supports this: under the modern surface work in mineral white metallic, a matt black area forms the core of the vehicle, the technical heart. It pulls from the front to the rear and integrates not only tyres and front lights, but also drive unit and spring elements. The BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 deliberately stages the technology used as part of the design. In the rear area, the side panels therefore do not completely disguise the vehicle side. Instead, they stretch like small wings over parts of the vehicle side, making drive, single-arm swingarm, strut and timing belt visible.

The appearance of the luminaires is just as reduced as it is modern. The two U-shaped LED front lights are minimalistic. Its precise implementation and narrow contour emphasize the modern and forward-looking appearance in the front. The rear lights are integrated into the rear side panels in the form of two C-shaped light elements.

Practical design and ergonomics.

"A scooter is not a fun bike to ride in the mountains in fine weather, but a practical everyday vehicle for driving from home to the office or meeting friends in the evening – just a vehicle for every day in the city," says Alexander Buckan. "For the design of drive and energy storage, we have therefore intensively dealt with the usage conditions: The urban target group mainly travels short distances of approx. 12 km per day. Long-distance comfort is therefore less important, but rather variable ergonomics and easy accessibility. This allowed us to create a floating bench that allows you to glide comfortably onto the vehicle from behind. It also offers improved ergonomics for single riders, regardless of leg length and height."

Seamless Connectivity.

In both design and digital use, the BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 always focuses on practical and user-friendly solutions. BMW Motorrad sees great potential in terms of safety, comfort and emotional experience in the future, especially in the interaction between the vehicle and the driver's equipment. Thus, the driver is connected to his environment via his smartphone via the BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04. Its 10.25-inch display is the largest in the scooter segment to date and acts as an interface between the digital and analogue worlds of the driver.

driver equipment as part of vehicle communication.

The designers have also broken new ground when it comes to rider equipment: "We deliberately no longer wanted to create classic motorcycle clothing, but a fashionable look that is urban yet highly functional. We want to develop products that allow you to easily get off the vehicle and move through your everyday life. At the same time, the driver's equipment offers the protection BMW Motorrad is used to and even becomes part of vehicle communication to the outside world," explains Julia Lein, Head of Design Driver Equipment at BMW Motorrad.

The core of the driver's equipment developed exclusively for the BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 is an everyday, casually cut warm parka. Black riding jeans, stylish sneakers and a white open-face helmet complete the look. The parka in the broken white tone offers with its wide cut a high wearing comfort and has an urban style. The high collar and the large hood provide even more coolness. Details such as the placement of the zippers or the discreet print emphasize the urban look, with which you can walk from the scooter directly to the office in style. The parkas' high-tech material is waterproof, robust and breathable. The flexible protectors incorporated into the parka provide the safety expected by BMW Motorrad.

Innovative features such as the integrated light guides in the sleeves and the hood ensure more visibility in the road and can be switched on via sensors in the sleeve and changed in colour. To ensure that the driver is always reachable, the inner pocket of the parka has an inductive charging field for the smartphone. In this way, the driver's equipment integrates seamlessly into the life of the driver.

Graphics as a unique selling point.

The restrained graphic staging of the BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 brings the new concept to the fore. However, completely different forms are conceivable here. Gerald Höller, graphic designer at BMW Motorrad Design explains this: "Thanks to the new architecture, we have created something completely new with this vehicle - and in the future we want to use the use of graphics and colours to underline this even further. We imagine the CE 04 definition almost like a moving canvas with which a customer can express his personality – from modern elegant to urban."

E-mobility at BMW Motorrad.

Following the BMW Group's sustainability strategy, BMW Motorrad is also consistently pushing ahead with the topic of electromobility. With the Concept e, BMW Motorrad already showed in 2011 what electric mobility can look like in the urban sector. This was followed by the first prototype of the BMW C evolution in London in 2012, which was presented at the Summer Olympics. In 2014, BMW Motorrad became the first manufacturer in the premium segment to launch the C Evolution production vehicle, which made the daily commute possible on two wheels, even on two wheels. But that was just the beginning. Designers and developers were given a free hand for the successor model. The result: an absolutely new architecture and an iconic design. Already with the BMW Motorrad Concept Link, the brand showed what the future understanding of zero-emission, urban single-track mobility can look like. The BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 is now consistently continuing BMW Motorrad's electric mobility strategy for urban agglomerations, giving a concrete outlook on what a timely production vehicle can look like.