BMW unveils high-speed electric bicycle with 300 km of range, plus an electric motorcycle
BMW has taken to the IAA Mobility show in Munich, Germany, to unveil two new electric motorbikes with interesting specs for their categories. Both have the same performance figures, making for a high-speed electric bicycle and a low-speed electric motorbike.
The two models were technically unveiled by different divisions of BMW.
BMW unveiled the i Vision AMBY, which is a high-speed electric bicycle.
The company’s motorcycle division, BMW Motorrad, unveiled the Vision AMBY. That little “i” makes a big difference.
The i Vision AMBY may technically fall in the electric bicycle category, but it shares very little with its e-bike brethren. The frame uses similar suspension components to other high-end bicycles and what appears to be a Gates carbon belt drive, but the electronics appear to be entirely custom.
A higher-power motor and gigantic 2,000 Wh battery enable it to reach much higher speeds in its highest setting. That big battery also has BMW making lofty range claims of up to 300 km (186 miles) in its lowest power mode.
Using an accompanying smartphone app, riders can choose between the European legal 25 km/h (15.5 mph) speed, a second speed-pedelec mode that reaches 45 km/h (28 mph), and a new high-speed-pedelec mode that ups the ante to 60 km/h (37 mph). BMW even floated the idea of having those speeds be modifiable in real time based on geo-fencing, meaning you could be slowed down automatically when you hit the city center, then unleashed to your top speed once turning onto a larger road.
Don’t get too excited though – you’ll need to register the bike and get a special license plate to use it on public roads in anything other than the slowest mode.
This also isn’t an electric motorcycle in disguise. Those pedals are for more than show; they are required to power the motor. Without a hand throttle, riders will have to continue pedaling constantly to achieve and maintain the bike’s high speeds. The range rating also drops significantly to just 75 km (47 miles) when traveling at 60 km/h (37 mph).
The highest speed mode certainly doesn’t fit into any current legal designation for electric bicycles though.
BMW clarified further, saying:
“In the absence of any existing legal framework for a vehicle of this kind with a modular speed concept, the “AMBY” Vision Vehicles set out to prompt the introduction of such legislation and, by consequence, developments of this nature.”
The bike also features other interesting design elements, such as LED light bars integrated into the handlebars and seat post, as well as an angular frame with a highly-tucked seating position.
On the other hand, the BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY electric motorcycle looks to be a much more leisurely ride.
Instead of a pair of pedals, the Vision AMBY swaps in more realistic motorcycle-style foot pegs.
Interestingly, the Vision AMBY e-motorcycle also hits the same top speed of 60 km/h (37 mph), which is rather slow compared to other entries in the light electric motorcycle class. Its lightweight design will have it more closely competing with small electric trail bikes like a Sur Ron Light Bee, albeit BMW’s presumably street-legal design would offer a significant advantage over off-road-only alternatives.
BMW Motorrad hasn’t shared any details yet about the motor or battery setup in the motorcycle-version of the AMBY concept line, but it will surely pack at least as much capacity as the 2,000 Wh setup in the high-speed electric bicycle version.
Unlike the road-oriented BMW i Vision AMBY, the motorcycle variant looks like it is primarily designed for off-road riding. Wider tires and a more robust suspension system look trail-ready, though a license plate mount shows that road riding is still in the stars.
BMW Motorrad’s Head of Design Edgar Heinrich further discussed the light electric motorbike:
“The BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY takes us into new territory. For us, the focus is on user behaviour – the question is: how will customers want to get around in the future? What will they expect their vehicle to be capable of? This was precisely the starting point of our deliberations. Our aim was to develop an extremely emotional vehicle for smart mobility in and around the city that offered maximum freedom. The BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY really does enable our customers to experience urban life in a whole new way, cover distances more flexibly and “break free” of the city from time to time, too. At the same time, BMW Motorrad is consistently pursuing its electromobility strategy for urban conurbations. It’s a fascinating introduction to the world of BMW Motorrad that also promises maximum riding pleasure.”
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Quincy Jones, the music producer and composer, has died at the age of 91.
Jones worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and many other artists.
Among his best-known credits was as the producer of Jackson’s historic Thriller album.
Jones oversaw the all-star recording of the 1985 charity record We Are The World.
He also composed the soundtrack to the hit 1969 British film The Italian Job, starring Michael Caine.
Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. Pic: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch /IPX/AP
Naomi Campbell, left, and Claudia Schiffer flank Quincy Jones. Pic: AP
His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed Jones died at his Los Angeles home on Sunday surrounded by his family.
In a statement, his family said: “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’s passing.
“And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. Pic: AP
Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton. Pic: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch /IPX/AP
His family added Jones was “truly one of a kind” who they would “miss dearly”.
“We take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created,” they added.
“Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’s heart will beat for eternity.”
His career, which spans more than 75 years, saw him achieve 28 Grammy award wins out of 80 nominations.
He was named one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century by Time magazine.
Lionel Richie, who co-wrote We Are The World and was among the charity single’s featured singers, called Jones “the master orchestrator”.
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Jones, a father of seven, was married three times to Jeri Caldwell, Ulla Andersson and Peggy Lipton.
His children include music producer Quincy Jones III and actress Rashida Jones, known for Parks And Recreation and the US version of The Office.
Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek has said he has been diagnosed with bowel cancer.
The 47-year-old American actor – famous for his role as Dawson Leery in the drama series – told US outlet People on Sunday that he has colorectal cancer.
Bowel cancer – sometimes also called colorectal cancer – starts in the colon or the rectum, which makes up the large intestine in the digestive system.
It is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK, according to Cancer Research UK, with around 42,900 people diagnosed each year.
Speaking to People, Van Der Beek added: “I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.
“There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”
The 47-year-old actor is best known for playing Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek. Pic: Columbia Tristar/Everett/Shutterstock
He said he has been prioritising time with his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek and their six children, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.
The actor – also known for his roles in Don’t Trust The B—- In Apartment 23, CSI: Cyber, and the FX drama Pose – also posted on Instagram about his diagnosis.
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Van Der Beek said he planned on “planned on talking about it at length with People magazine at some point soon,” but instead announced the news on Sunday morning “when I was informed that a tabloid was going to run with the news”.
He then added: “I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialling in my overall health with greater focus than ever before.
“I’m in a good place and feeling strong. It’s been quite the initiation, and I’ll tell you more when I’m ready.”
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
In December, Van Der Beek will appear in the Fox special The Real Full Monty, which will see male celebrities strip naked to raise awareness for prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer testing and research.
Margot Robbie has reportedly given birth to her first child.
The Australian actress has welcomed a baby boy with her husband, British actor and film producer Tom Ackerley, according to People magazine.
The couple have not publicly announced the arrival or revealed the baby’s name.
The 34-year-old actress went into labour two weeks ago, shortly before her due date, according to the Mail On Sunday.
(L-R) Tom Ackerley, film producer Bronte Payne, Robbie and Josey McNamara. Pic: Reuters
Robbie’s pregnancy became public in July, when the couple were pictured on holiday in Italy, followed by several red carpet appearances.
Robbie and Ackerley married in Byron Bay in 2016 after meeting three years previously on the set of World War II drama Suite Francaise.
Prior to becoming a couple, Robbie described herself as the “ultimate single gal” in an interview with Vogue.
She said Ackerley changed all that, and after being friends “for so long,” eventually “it happened”.
The Barbie actress went on to say their relationship “makes so much sense, the way nothing has ever made sense before”.
Robbie and Ackerley met in 2013. Pic: Reuters
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Robbie and Ackerley founded production company LuckyChap Entertainment in 2014, along with British assistant director Josey McNamara and Australian film producer Sophie Kerr.
Championing female-focused film and TV, it has been involved with movies including Barbie and Saltburn, and the Netflix series Maid.
Sky News has reached out to representatives for Robbie and Ackerley for comment.
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