Before BMW intends to make the eagerly awaited major leap in design and technology with the »Neue Klasse« rolled out across the entire product range, the portfolio of electric cars based on corresponding combustion engine platforms is currently being further expanded. At the so-called »Media and Stakeholder Days« in Portugal a few weeks ago, BMW presented the fully electric iX2, alongside the new generation of the X2. And other BMW Group brands did not want to be left behind either, showing the latest models of their electric mobility strategy with the new MINI Countryman, for the first time also as an electric version, and BMW Motorrad with the CE 02 e-bike.
Progressive and dynamic
The new BMW X2 (and its all-electric counterpart ix2) achieves this balancing act with its pronounced coupé silhouette and otherwise striking design language. The upright front provides the desired self-confident presence, striking LED headlights including the hexagonal BMW kidney grille, which can be equipped with the BMW Iconic Glow contour lighting.
The roofline mentioned at the beginning, which flows continuously into the rear, ensures a successfully elegant silhouette and thus proportions in the typical style of a BMW Sports Activity Coupé. At the rear, the clearly flared wheel arches and the powerful shoulder sections in particular ensure an expressive appearance, while the horizontally aligned contours of the model-specific rear lights provide exciting individual accents.
Obviously, the increase in size also benefits the comfort of the five seats and the luggage compartment volume. The interior is»premium« in every detail, as you would expect from BMW, but still pleasantly minimalist. Particularly noteworthy are the flat dashboard with the BMW Curved Display and an almost floating armrest with integrated control panel. In addition, a wide range of assistance systems as well as comfort and individualization functions underline the premium claim of the new sporty X2 – available in various engine versions – as well as the electric iX2, which in our opinion is even more unagitatedly elegant and at the same time more dynamic to drive.
Charismatic driving pleasure
The presentation of the Countryman Electric represents a hugely important milestone for MINI on the road to becoming an all-electric brand. And it manages to combine the charisma of the brand, the individual Countryman character and the typical go-kart feeling with locally emission-free mobility. As the largest member of the MINI family, both the first electrified version and the version with a combustion engine have grown once again in terms of both height and length.
An upright silhouette, the usual short overhangs and the newly designed octagonal front grille, which, along with the striking LED headlights and tail lights, is one of the few truly eye-catching exterior elements, make a particular contribution to the appearance of the new Countryman. Otherwise, the exterior also has a purist design, which is continued in the vehicle interior in line with the new brand design philosophy of »reduction to the essentials«.
In that spacious interior, the brand-typical round (OLED) display is – unsurprisingly – also at the center of the new Countryman. From now on, all infotainment and assistance systems can be operated via the slim central instrument. Particularly noteworthy here are the so-called »MINI Experience Modes« which are actually very entertaining – and allow the appearance of the cockpit to be individualized with an interplay of visual design, ambient lighting and particularly exciting sound design. All driving functions can still be controlled via the characteristic MINI toggle bar. MINI’s specially developed knitting process, which enables a special textile structure made from recycled polyester, also sets exciting visual accents. The curved dashboard is also made of this textile surface for the first time and creates a really successful, homely feel-good atmosphere.
The driving experience: As expected, vehemently sporty: both the top-of-the-range John Cooper Works Countryman variant tested by Chapter, which is ideally suited to a racetrack, and the no less powerful Countryman SE, which thrills with impressive performance combined with relaxed, quiet electric gliding over the roads.
Born to be different
Truly extraordinary and an absolute eye-catcher on the roads: The BMW CE 02 ‘s design alone sets it apart from classic scooters/motorcycles. You can see at first glance that the BMW Motorrad design team under the direction of Alexander Buckan (a recent guest on the Chapter Talks podcast) wanted to make a strong statement with this vehicle, to create something independent and special, far removed from the conventional and the familiar.
Consequently, BMW does not refer to the CE 02 as either an e-scooter or an e-motorcycle. It is intended to be an eParkourer and stands for dynamic driving pleasure and a new type of mobility for a primarily young, urban target group. Its design is boldly different, yet reduced to the bare essentials. It looks robust, not least because of the large wheels and wide tires, and thus signals that it is ready for all kinds of terrain. Nevertheless, the overall impression is by no means ponderous, but exudes dynamism and driving pleasure.
While large parts such as the frame, wheels and fork bridge cover are kept in black, the matt granite gray metallic of the engine cover is just as exciting a contrast as the use of both matt and high-gloss surfaces. In the Highline option, on the other hand, the new CE 02 is much more eye-catching, with the gold anodized fork in particular providing exciting accents.
With a maximum output of 11 kW (15 hp), the CE 02 can be ridden in Germany from the age of 16. In a separate, 4 kW (5 hp) version with a throttle speed of 45 km/h, it can also be used by anyone over the age of 15 who has a driver’s license (of course, different legal regulations may apply in different countries).
In both versions, however, the powerful drive also demonstrates during our test drive that it has all the prerequisites for a dynamic electric driving experience. The CE 02 accelerates quietly and quickly, is extremely maneuverable and offers easy handling and great riding fun after a (very) short familiarization period thanks to its low seat height. It also offers two driving modes, »Flow« and »Surf«, as standard. »Flow« is designed to offer the optimum drive set-up for relaxed gliding in urban traffic, while »Surf« is intended to provide a faster driving experience outside the urban environment. [CS]
