BMW to Offer Maxi Scooters as Urban Mobility Options

Recognizing challenges to mobility including growing traffic volume, rising energy costs, and the need to reduce CO2 emissions, BMW is expanding its product line into two-wheel urban mobility vehicles. Though already showing its electrically powered MINI Scooter E concept, BMW believes the internal combustion engine still has a promising future. Thus, it will be marketing the BMW C 600 Sport and BMW C 650 GT maxi scooters. These maxi scooters, more than a motorscooter and less than a motorcycle, will be built at the BMW Motorrad plant in Berlin that builds BMW motorcycles.

While quite different in purpose and even design, they share much of the high end technology expected in BMW products The C600 Sport is designed for an aggressive and sporty ride. The C650 GT is aimed at the touring market. It combines the riding properties of a motorcycle with the precise agility and comfort of a scooter, making it ideal for long distance travel.

Both are powered by a two-cylinder, inline 647 cc engine.with power transferred directly to the rear wheel via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The engine is inclined 70-degrees toward the front to reduce the center of gravity and serves as a load-bearing member of the chassis. It feastures electronic fuel injection, four-valves-per-cylinder, dual overhead camshafts,.and dry sump lubrication. The engine produces 60 horsepower and offers max torque of 49 lb-ft. With a closed loop catalytic converter and oxygen sensor, it meets Euro-4 emissions standards.

BMW wanted motorcycle-like handling with a combination of directional stability at highway speeds and agility in city traffic, plus motorcycle-like feedback to the rider. This was accomplished with a suspension similar to that found on motorcycles. For example, the spring travel is similar to that of a motorcycle and tire widths are like those of motorcycle tires. The generously sized braking system uses a two-rotor front disc brake and a single disc brake at the rear. BMW Motorrad ABS is standard.

The C 650 GT's larger windscreen is electrically adjustable over 3.9 inches for additional wind and weather protection, while the C 600 Sport's windscreen is mechanically adjustable to three positions. An innovative FlexCase on the C 600 Sport provides variable storage space under the seat; the C 650 GT has just over two cubic feet of storage. Both can store two helmets when the scooters are parked.

The two scooters also have different exterior appearances. The C 600 Sport's front turn indicators are integrated in the fairing while the C 650 GT