With a 0 to 60 of 6.2 seconds, BMW’s C evolution is no electric Vespa wannabe

By Peter Braun Published May 1, 2014

It appears that BMW means business with electric motors – and not just for cars. Today the Bavarian automaker announced the release of the all-electric C evolution scooter, bringing us that much closer to finally being able to get that Lightcycle from Tron we have always wanted.

Make no mistake, the C evolution is no tinny Vespa clone, it’s actually much closer to a motorcycle. The design fits into the maxi scooter class between the 600-cc displacement C 600 Sport and C C650 GT. By the way, as a non-motorcycle person, it took me several moments to realize ‘maxi-scooter’ has nothing to do with feminine hygiene. The more you know, I s’pose.

The performance is also on the motorcycle side of the equation. At maximum output, the C evolution can put out 47 horsepower and 53 pound-feet of torque, good for a 0 to 60 acceleration of 6.2 seconds. Compared to a sportbike, that might be small potatoes but it is still brisk enough that BMW has had to fit a stability control system to keep the torque from flipping you off like a rag doll.

As for the practical matters of range and charging, the C evoltion is good – if not spectacular. At a full charge, the scooter will go 62 miles and charge from zero to max power off of a standard 220 volt outlet in four hours. That is comparable with plenty of bigger EVs.

BMW C_evolution — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Impressively, the C evolution can also recoup energy like a hybrid by running the electric motor as a generator off of the coasting energy of the bike. This function can be regulated by switching the system between Eco Pro, Road, and Dynamic. These functions control the amount of power available as well as the degree of energy recovery.

While the total package of the C evolution may not be quite as exciting or wild as some of the other electric bikes out there, like the tire-shreddingly quick Sarolea SP7, or the Johammer J1, which I am pretty sure is just visiting from the future, the Bimmer has some advantages. It will come supported by the entire BMW system, and is based on a proven design. In short, it should actually work the way it is supposed to. And that is worth a lot.

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Peter is a freelance contributor to Digital Trends and almost a lawyer. He has loved thinking, writing and talking about cars…

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You Asked: State of smartphone design, Slate Truck breakdown, and soundbars under $600

You Asked

On today’s You Asked: What's to come with the new Slate Truck and its potential availability? Is it worth the hype? Why does it feel like smartphone design and innovation has stalled recently? And why do directors think that ultra wide 21:9 is a good ratio for movies?
Slate Truck breakdown with John McCann
Some of you have been in touch to ask about the availability of the new Slate Truck. I'll go through the preorder process in a moment, but first, let's get everyone up to speed on this newly unveiled EV. What is it? What makes it stand out? And why is it generating so much buzz?
This is being touted as a sub-$20,000 electric truck after government incentives, and you’ll be able to customize it to your heart’s content. It stands out not so much for what it offers, but for what it doesn’t offer as standard. There’s just one trim and one paint color. No touchscreen, no stereo, no Bluetooth, no electric windows.

So, what do you get? There are two seats. There's a five-meter bed, good for payloads up to 1,400 pounds. There's AC, steel wheels, and hand-cranked windows, plus all the standard driver safety assists you’d expect from a modern vehicle. There’s a rear-mounted electric motor, a roomy frunk, and a battery rated for about 150 miles, according to Slate.
That isn’t great in the world of EV range, but a larger battery will be available to push that figure up to a more reasonable 240 miles. That bigger battery is just one of over 100 add-ons Slate is making available. These will be offered not just at the point of purchase but also at any time during your ownership, allowing you to swap and upgrade as your needs evolve.
Want to add a splash of color? Check out the vast range of vinyl wraps you can apply and remove from the truck at will. There’s also an SUV upgrade kit that converts your two-seater truck into a five-seater car. Inside, infotainment is strictly “bring your own device.” There’s no touchscreen, no built-in CarPlay, not even a stereo. Instead, you get a universal phone mount and a few USB ports. You can also add holders for a tablet if you want a bigger display, and a Bluetooth speaker if you want to listen to music while out for a drive.

Cars

ID. Buzz recall appears to have made automotive history

The VW ID.Buzz electric van.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recalled almost 5,700 ID. Buzz electric vans because the VW-made vehicle has too much space in the back.

OK, let us explain. The U.S. regulator has found that the third-row bench seat of the ID. Buzz is ostensibly designed for two people and therefore has two seat belts built in. But it’s wide enough for three, and as a result, the NHTSA wants the German auto giant to make some changes so that it fully complies with the required safety standards.

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My next car must have this Carplay and Android Auto feature, here’s why

Google Maps in full screen on the driver's second display on the Chevy Equinox 2025

I’ve been driving a Chevrolet Equinox 2025 SUV rental car for the past week, and it’s reminded me exactly what my next car needs. It runs Android Automotive, which I’ve already decided is a requirement in my next car, but the more convenient feature is arguably how Chevrolet has approached its CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

CarPlay and Android Auto offer immense benefits and virtually no pitfalls to drivers. They’re designed to bring your phone and its apps into your car, and make it easier to access up-to-date maps and traffic data without relying on often-archaic solutions implemented by your carmaker.