Scooter News BMW C1-E Could this be the future of transport? BMW develops the C1-E as its contribution to the European safety project eSUM.
BMW Motorad This is what a safe, environment-friendly and highly practical
single track vehicle for city traffic could look like in the
future. BMW Motorrad developed the C1-E study as a contribution to
the European safety project eSUM. This study unit is based on the
concept of the BMW C1. It is characterised by a very high level of
active and passive safety and is driven by an electric motor.
The BMW C1-E provides exemplary protection for its rider. This
is ensured by the safety cell with the conspicuous roll-over bar
which dynamically spans the rider seat in combination with the
energy-absorbing impact element at the nose end. A further special
point is that the C1-E rider wears a seat-belt. In the study this
safety feature is highlighted by red belts and belt buckles.
Visually the concept vehicle expresses brand typical sheer
driving pleasure and clearly distinguishes itself from typical
scooter looks. Its lines are dynamically stretched and flow
horizontally with a low visual centre of gravity. The fairing with
its windscreen, the luggage space behind the rider and the side
stand for effortless parking ensure high suitability for everyday
riding combined with a high degree of wind and weather
protection.
The electric motor employed in the study has been designed for
city use and is based on components by the company Vectrix. The
motor obtains its power from a lithium-ion battery and thus
possesses sufficient power for mastering most inner-city traffic
riding with ease. Alternatively the vehicle could also be equipped
with an efficient, low-emissions internal combustion engine.
The safety features of the C1-E have been taken from the former
BMW C1 and further enhanced. BMW's avant-garde two-wheeler is
regarded as a milestone in safety on two wheels. It is the only
motorised single-track vehicle to be exempt from mandatory helmet
wearing in almost all European countries.
This BMW Motorrad study is to remain the only model of its kind.
Series production is currently not planned. Nevertheless, findings
from the project will find their way into other future developments
in the field of single-track vehicles.
eSUM stands for European Safer Urban Motorcycling. It is a
cooperation project between major urban European motorcycling
centres and motorcycle manufacturers. The cities currently involved
in the project include Paris, Rome, Barcelona and London and the
manufacturers are BMW and Piaggio.
The advantage of two-wheeled transportation is that it offers a
great opportunity for improving the flow of traffic in urban
locations. Moreover, it is environmentally friendly and lends
itself to individualisation. However, the vast majority of
accidents occur in urban traffic, in areas where 80 percent of the
population live. The idea behind eSum is to look into ways of
countering this trend. The joint goal is the identification,
development, and practical demonstration of measures which are able
to guarantee safe motorcycle and motor-scooter transport in the
inner-city traffic of the future.
One of BMW Motorrad's major concerns over the last twenty years
has been the improvement of motorcycle safety. This was amply
demonstrated by the consistent strategy which has led to the
Motorrad ABS and continued with its long-term ongoing development.
Only a few weeks ago, on August 31, the 1,000,000th BMW motorcycle
with Integral ABS, a BMW K 1300 R, left the production line in
Berlin-Spandau.
Since 2005, a series of further active safety features have been
developed to enhance the safety BMW motorcycles still further: RDC
Tyre Pressure Control, ASC Anti-Slip Control, the new Race ABS and
the DTC Traction Control incorporated in the new BMW S 1000 RR, not
to mention the innovative range of BMW Motorrad rider
equipment.
Over and above this, BMW Motorrad is also conducting research
into forward-looking rider assistance systems designed to increased
road safety, as part of the ConnectedRide project. Features being
looked at include cross-traffic and traffic-light assistance as
well as a warning system for impending poor weather, road
obstacles, an approaching emergency vehicle, or sudden braking
manoeuvres.
For more information about eSUM please see:www.esum.eu
published 6/10/2009 |