New designs for greener future from BMW

Designed by BMW but to be manufactured by an independent third party, the quest for an electric future has taken the Munich, Germany company back to the two and three-wheel drawing board. 

With the unveiling of the electrified bicycle Concept Dynamic Cargo and the e-scooter Concept Clever Commute, the BMW Group engineers are transferring know-how from the automotive sector to concepts for micromobility vehicles.

Bicycles offer great flexibility of use, produce zero emissions and are one of the fastest and most efficient means of transport in urban areas. However, rainy, cold or slippery conditions are usually all it takes for the majority of cyclists to switch to public transport or their car instead. 

The same applies when they need to carry loads that are too large for a standard luggage rack to handle, such as a larger food shop, or to transport children. A wide range of cargo bikes are now available that offer an additional alternative to using the car for urban trips. 

However, many cargo bike concepts are wider and, above all, longer than normal bicycles due to the requirements for transporting loads and/or children. In conjunction with the resulting additional weight and the possible payload, this leads to restrictions of varying degrees compared to normal bicycles, particularly with regard to driving agility and handling.

"Our goal was to develop a concept that retains the agility and driving feel of a normal bicycle while adding innovative, safe transport options," says Jochen Karg, Head of Vehicle Concepts in the BMW Group's New Technologies and China division. "The ‘Concept Dynamic Cargo’ is the first dynamic 'pick-up' cargo bike that combines driving pleasure with flexible use and increased year-round suitability."

The key component of the three-wheeled Concept Dynamic Cargo is the front main frame, which is connected to the rear section via a pivot axle and tilts in corners. The rear section remains stable through all corners without tilting towards the road.

 

This combines with the electrified powertrain – which is activated as soon as the rider starts to pedal and drives the two rear wheels – to make the cargo bike just as easy to ride as a standard bicycle. As well as producing far greater riding stability in all weather conditions compared to two-wheeler designs, the rear wheels with their rigid, non-pivoting axle mounting also provide the basis for a versatile, pick-up-style transport platform. 

This can be fitted with a selection of modular attachments for carrying luggage and/or children. The modular design principle paves the way for many more use cases, too. The non-pivoting design of the transport platform has the additional benefit that the rider is barely aware of any extra weight being carried, enabling safe, stable transportation of all loads while also ensuring a pleasurable riding experience.

The concept is rounded off by a facility for adding a modular system of weather protection. Together with the superior riding safety, which proves especially useful in adverse weather, this makes the Concept Dynamic Cargo an attractive means of transport all year round.

Although the BMW Group will not manufacture the Concept Dynamic Cargo itself, it is already in discussions with potential licensees.

E-scooters offer flexible usability, zero local emissions and the ability to get city dwellers to their destination extremely quickly over short ‘last-mile’ urban journeys. The uptake of e-scooters for private ownership has been relatively slow to date. Robust models that can be ridden safely are difficult to take onto public transport or carry by car due to their size, while small, more portable models suffer from poor riding stability.

With its Concept Clever Commute, the BMW Group is now presenting an e-scooter that folds easily for carrying on public transport and/or by car without compromising on riding stability in any way. 

In public transport mode, the footboard folds up at the sides and the rear wheel pivots into the resulting aperture from below. This mechanism shortens the wheelbase of the Clever Commute substantially so that it can even be carried on an escalator without difficulty. 

This is an important requirement if the journey includes underground transport routes. It can also be rolled along on both wheels in this mode, rather like a trolley case. And the front wheel’s integral hub motor provides an electric impulse that makes it easier to push the Clever Commute up ramps. The e-scooter’s compact dimensions when folded up means it should be possible to take it on all forms of public transport free of charge.

The Clever Commute can be folded up to a size that fits easily into small vehicle boots, with larger boots able to accommodate several of them for family outings. In the BMW Group range, this means that the Clever Commute fits into luggage compartments lengthways from the 3 Series upwards, for example, without any need to fold down the rear backrest, and it can be carried crossways in MINI boots.

With its unique product characteristics, the Clever Commute is a versatile companion in the city and allows any journey to be completed quickly, safely and easily. Its transformability makes it a truly ideal solution for multimodal travel.

Although the BMW Group will not manufacture the Concept Clever Commute itself, it is already in discussions with potential licensees.

Both micromobility concepts have been designed to offer a range of over 20 kilometres. One final very important feature for city use is the battery pack, which can be removed and charged at home.

 Honda 'evolutionises the NC750X

Gaining 2 kW more power and throttle-by-wire with three riding modes, the Honda NC750X takes a grand evolutionary step from the initial variant launched back in 2012 (and updated in 2016 and 2018).

The storage compartment (where the fuel tank would normally be), capable of holding a full-face helmet and Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) are features that set the NC750X apart. 

More peak power for the NC750X’s EURO5-spec engine plus an extra 600 r/min to the redline are the headline changes, thanks to work on valve timing and intake/exhaust efficiency. Shorter ratios for first, second and third gears smarten response while a slipper clutch reduces lever load and keeps the ride smooth on rapid downshifts. 

Throttle-by-wire (TBW) brings with it adjustable engine character through three default rider modes - Rain, Standard and Sport plus a customisable User mode. Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) now has a finer level of input over three levels, while the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) option features Automatic shifting schedules that integrate with the riding modes, as well as User control. 

It is also 6 kg lighter, thanks to a new frame and detail improvements around the engine and bodywork. There’s also a sharper, more minimalist edge to the bodywork, with fresh style for both LED headlight, taillight and rear indicators, while the redesigned storage space grows in volume and usability. 

Seat height is reduced 30 mm, the screen offers more wind protection and a new LCD dash is an attractive addition.   

The design of the NC750X’s liquid-cooled, SOHC 8-valve parallel twin-cylinder engine ensures punchy performance in the low-to-mid range. Its relatively long-stroke architecture and specially shaped combustion chamber combine with the high-inertial mass crankshaft to produce large amounts of effortless torque from very low revs. 

The addition of a slipper clutch for 2021 reduces lever load by 20% and manages rear-wheel lock up under fast down changes of the manual 6-speed gearbox while decelerating. 

The NC750X engine sips fuel ­– with a measured consumption of 28,3 km/l (WMTC mode) providing a near 400 km range from the 14,1-litre underseat fuel tank. 

With TBW now managing engine performance and character there are three modes for the rider to choose from for various riding conditions. Mode selection is managed between the left-hand switchgear and the LCD display. 

SPORT gives more aggressive delivery of engine power and braking, with low HSTC intervention and DCT mode 4. 

RAIN delivers engine power and braking least aggressively, has high HSTC intervention and Level 1 for the DCT shift pattern. 

STANDARD delivers a balanced middle point for engine power delivery, engine braking and HSTC intervention, plus mode 2 for the DCT. 

USER offers custom options of low/medium/high for delivery of engine power and engine braking, low/medium/high/off for HSTC, and four different shift patterns for DCT. 

Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) is fitted as standard on both the manual and DCT NC750X. It now offers much softer, finer control as it manages rear wheel torque thanks to TBW, over 3 levels as opposed to 2: 

Level 1 allows the minimum intervention for some rear wheel spin – on gravel or dirt for instance, and its level of control is reduced from the previous design. 

Level 2 is the default setting and provides traction for general riding conditions. 

Level 3 provides maximum control for slippery roads. 

HSTC can also be switched OFF. 

The ‘easy and direct’ DCT technology delivers consistent gear changes up or down and very quickly becomes second nature in use. It uses two clutches: one for start-up and 1^st, 3^rd and 5^th gears: the other for 2^nd, 4^th and 6^th, with the mainshaft for each clutch located inside the other for compact packaging. 

Each clutch is independently controlled by its own electro-hydraulic circuit. When a gear change occurs, the system pre-selects the target gear using the clutch not currently in use. The first clutch is then electronically disengaged as, simultaneously, the second clutch engages. 

With the DCT gearbox, the rider may choose Manual mode, using paddle-style triggers on the left handlebar to change gear, or Automatic mode. In Automatic mode for the NC750X,  four different shifting schedules operate, with three defaults: Level 1 is the most relaxed, and is used within Rain mode; Levels 2 and 4 shift up at higher revs and are linked with Standard and Sport riding modes.   

The NC750X has a sharpened identity thanks to redrawn, smaller upper and lower fairings accentuated by the fuel tank. A new LED headlight and running lights form a strong frontal signature. 

Improving wind and weather protection, the screen is also new. The side panels and side covers are slimmer and, along with the seat unit, are underlined by the exhaust muffler, further emphasising the mass-forward stance. 

Honda’s development engineers started with the tubular steel diamond frame and, through a careful redesign (using varying tube thicknesses and weight) not only saved 1,8 kg over the previous model but also freed up more useful space for the storage compartment by relocating the battery and redesigning the airbox.

Technical Specifications

ENGINE
Type	Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 8-valve, SOHC parallel 2-cylinder. EURO5 compliant.
Displacement	745cc
Bore & Stroke	77mm x 80mm
Compression Ratio	10.7: 1
Max. Power Output	43.1kW @6,750rpm
Max. Torque	69Nm @ 4,750rpm
Oil Capacity	4L
FUEL SYSTEM
Carburation	PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.1 litres
Fuel Consumption	MT: 28.3km/l (WMTC mode) DCT: 28.3km/l (WMTC mode-Tested in D-Mode)

Pricing

NC50XA 21YM: R126 000 including VAT

NC750X DCT: R135 500 including VAT

 Agilitee rolls out Africa mobility plan

With parts imported from India and the products assembled locally ahead of planned rollout of a full manufacturing facilitiy, Agilitee Africa is on the road to provide greener energy mobility solutions to Africa and beyond. 

The company is a manufacturer and reseller of electric motorcycles, car charging facilities as well as related products on the African continent. 

Agilitee has partnered with eBikeGo Private Limited, India’s largest smart electric mobility platform which offers an electronic mode of transportation in India, to produce and distribute electronic motorcycles in Africa. 

eBikeGo Private Limited is innovative and competitive with expertise in producing quality products for the EV market in India. The company is well-positioned with operations in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, and Hyderabad to capture a 10% share of India’s two-wheeler market by 2022.  

This will also see a massive rollout of training and transfer of skills to young aspiring entrepreneurs.  

“The future belongs to those who stay conscious in the present moment and realise their decision plays an impact on the future of their children. Innovation is the key to success, but sustainability is the answer to carry us to the future,” said Kriekie Du Plessis Agilitee Chairperson. 

(For a full interview with Ms Du Plessis and COO, Boni Roberts, click on Podcasts at www.colin-on-cars.com – Ed)  

This partnership aims to tackle the reality of climate change and the high cost of fuel coupled with the need for a cost-efficient mode of transport on the African continent. The venture will contribute to minimising air pollution, creating employment and in the long term, contribute to the revival of the African economy amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.  

According to Dr Mandla Lamba, CEO of Agilitee, this is the catalyst for clean energy solutions and carbon reduction in Africa. 

“Our passionate and agile team are pioneering, researching, importing, assembling, manufacturing and franchising electric vehicle and motorbike technology, including battery swapping stations and solar charging facilities across the continent.” 

Agilitee’s vehicles are sustainable, products that are environmentally friendly and cost-effective. The ‘LoadEx’, Agilitee’s first delivery motorcycle, will retail for R35 000, which includes an efficient battery with a capacity of 160 km. The Wild Grace, designed for private use, carries a 330 km efficient battery. 

The ‘Wild Grace’ and the ‘RTF’ (Return to Freedom) will retail at R175 000 and R55 000 which includes the maintenance plan and three-year warranty and servicing for all motorcycles. Agilitee will also introduce  another delivery scooter , that will retail at R11 000 set out for the SME ‘S (small-to-medium enterprise), later in the year with the first pre-orders to roll out in June 2021.  

The company is also developing its assembly plant which is expected to be operational by 2022. The plant is set to be transformed into a comprehensive manufacturing plant within six months to enable all products sold to be 100% proudly South African.  

The company has partnered with two of South Africa’s biggest banks, ABSA and Capitec which will provide financing of the motorcycles for all interested potential consumers and customers. Agilitee have also included a rent to buy option for the RTF, mainly targeted to students starting at R1 300 per month.