Munich. At this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa
d’Este, the BMW Group provides a look ahead to what an exciting new
Adventure Sport model might look like: The BMW Motorrad Concept 9cento
(pronounced ‘nove cento’) combines emotion and performance with an
adventurous spirit, agility and riding fun to create the ideal sports
touring bike. Whether motorways, Alpine passes, narrow alleyways
through remote villages or simply seeing and being seen in front of
the café on the market square – the BMW Motorrad Concept 9cento is the
perfect choice for a spontaneous trip to Lake Como – as well as for
the surrounding landscape and far beyond.
The BMW Motorrad Concept 9cento presents a smart concept for the
future. “It doesn’t always have to be about ‘bolder, bigger,
brighter’ nowadays: this concept bike focuses on achieving a sense of
balance,” says Edgar Heinrich, Head of Design BMW Motorrad.
“We’ve created a bike that combines the appropriate power with
reliable sports touring properties and above all lots of riding fun,
so it’s an attractive overall package. It brings together the best of
the sports, adventure and touring segments to produce an exciting
concept – in a class which has not seen this kind of model from BMW
before. The BMW Motorrad Concept 9cento is our interpretation of a
modern all-rounder for the new mid-range segment,” explains
Heinrich, and he adds: “Functional properties such as touring
capability, storage space and wind/weather protection are relevant to
most motorcyclists but they’re rarely included in the design of a
concept vehicle. In this year’s concept bike we’re demonstrating that
all these rational aspects can be coupled with a dynamic design to
create something really exciting and highly emotional.”
Proportions reflecting agility and
lightness.
With its compact silhouette, the BMW Motorrad
Concept 9cento conveys agility and lightness at first sight – its
proportions simply make you want to get on and ride off. The basic
sporty configuration with lots of volume near the front wheel and a
short high rear promises riding fun and agile handling. The striking
styling of the fairing, fuel tank and frame further highlights the
focus on the direction of travel. Here, the three-dimensional
modelling of the fuel tank area especially comes into its own as a
result of the paint finish with reflective chrome effect. The hovering
side panel in Pure Metal Silver is typical of the Adventure Sport
segment and is highly recognisable. On all aluminium parts such as the
central tank cover, the rear carrier and the footrest holder, the
milling is directed towards the front wheel. This finely grooved
surface structure is only apparent on close inspection and has the
effect of a topographical elevation relief.
The suspension is
designed to be ideal for touring. A long spring travel ensures ride
comfort and gives the bike a sense of light-footedness. Meanwhile the
windshield and fairing ensure excellent wind and weather protection.
The ergonomic controls and relatively low, upright seating position
are two additional key factors that contribute to perfect riding fun
over long distances.
Lightweight construction for agility and dynamic performance.
The frame triangle of the BMW Motorrad Concept 9cento
is reinforced with CFRP fleece: it not only reduces the bike’s overall
weight but also links the three-dimensional design of the front trim
to the aluminium rear carrier. The latter is milled and likewise
geared consistently to weight reduction, consisting solely of the
required support structure. The visible opening between the frame
triangle and seat further highlights the lightweight construction principle.
Innovative case system guarantees high
flexibility.
One particular highlight of the BMW
Motorrad Concept 9cento is the innovative storage space concept
comprising a clip-on case element. The double case not only offers
storage space, it also extends the seating area for the passenger. It
is hooked into the rear carrier from above if required, and there is a
powerful electromagnet that attaches the element securely to the lower
section of the rear carrier. This system makes it possible to have two
functional versions of the same bike. Without a case, the BMW Motorrad
Concept 9cento has maximum agility and perfectly meets the rider’s
needs in terms of riding fun; with the cases, the concept bike is
transformed into a touring motorcycle that is also well equipped to
carry two people. The case system is harmoniously integrated in the
concept bike’s styling, reflecting the high-quality, holistic approach
of BMW Motorrad design.
Front and rear with hallmark lighting
design.
The narrow front silhouette likewise promises
manoeuvrability and agility. Here, the distinctive front section of
the BMW Motorrad Concept 9cento deliberately echoes features drawn
from the Adventure Sport segment, interpreting them in its own
characteristic way. The headlight is modern in style, featuring two
symmetrical lamp elements. Each of the two elements has an iconic LED
daytime riding light in the lower section with a flat, dynamic U
shape, while two compact LED lenses on each side provide the low and
high beam. This creates a hallmark lighting design that makes the
concept bike instantly recognisable as a BMW motorcycle – both during
the day and at night.
The rear lights are just as distinctive in design as the front
lights: the two LED elements are integrated underneath the seat and
feature the familiar BMW Motorrad design motif of the two C shapes
facing each other in a technical look. This means they fit perfectly
in the narrow, well-defined rear silhouette, capturing the essence of
the BMW Motorrad Concept 9cento in a nutshell.
Two jackets, two versions.
Two motorcycling
jackets have been developed to go with the BMW Motorrad Concept
9cento. They each reflect the concept bike’s properties with their
refined mixture of leather and Kevlar fabric: Sport and
Touring.
The sporty version features striking colouring in black,
blue and white. The protectors integrated in the shoulders are
particularly prominent. They are produced by means of 3D printing. The
second jacket is light grey and reflects a style geared more towards
urban chic, featuring a very soft leather with a high-quality
feel.
Both jackets bear the “9cento” signet clearly
visibly, thereby rounding off the presentation of the BMW Motorrad
Concept Bike at the Concorso d’Eleganza 2018.
The BMW Motorrad Concept 9cento has the potential to expand
today’s notion of a modern sports touring bike by adding smart
functionality. Practical properties are interpreted in an emotional
design, though without neglecting agility and riding fun.
In case of queries please contact:
Antonia Cecchetti, Communications BMW Motorrad
Telephone:
+49 89 382-60757
E-Mail: Antonia.Cecchetti@bmw.de
Markus Sagemann, Head of Communications MINI, BMW
Motorrad
Telephone: +49 89 382-68796
E-Mail: Markus.Sagemann@bmw.de
Internet: www.press.bmw.de
E-mail: presse@bmw.de
The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW
Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of
automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and
mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 30
production and assembly facilities in 14 countries; the company has a
global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2017, the BMW Group sold over 2,463,500 passenger vehicles
and more than 164,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in
the financial year 2017 was € 10.655 billion on revenues amounting to
€ 98.678 billion. As of 31 December 2017, the BMW Group had a
workforce of 129,932 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term
thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established
ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain,
comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to
conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.
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