Image Credit: NIU.
The noise surrounding NIU's new Concept 06 maxi-scooter is louder than a flock of seagulls arguing over a french fry. Seriously. I've seen many 'futuristic' concepts that looked like a cheese grater mated with a toaster, but this? The Concept 06, which NIU rolled out at EICMA, is a whole different story. It's supposed to be a concept, yet they're talking about it like it's going to be in your driveway by the time you've finished your next Netflix binge. I hope they're not lying, because this thing is delicious.
NIU is known for making those perfectly sensible, adorable little electric runabouts that are great for scooting around the city, picking up a baguette, or maybe eloping - very practical, very reliable. But the Concept 06? It's a sensible urban commuter who got a massive gym membership, bought a motorcycle jacket, and is now dating a starship captain. This is a maxi-scooter, a big scooter that is flirting with full-on motorcycle status, and this one is not even pretending to be shy about it.
Image Credit: NIU.
Underneath all that sleek, sci-fi-prototype styling is a 20-kW side-mounted motor. That's nearly 27 horsepower - which is more than enough to propel this electric beastie to a giddy top speed of about 96 mph. That's officially "Motorcycle Territory." You could actually take this thing on a freeway and not immediately fear becoming a hood ornament for a semi-truck. The acceleration, which they haven't given us a hard number on - and this is where my skepticism kicks in - is only described as "instant." But with that much juice, I'm willing to bet it's the kind of instant that snaps your head back just a little.
For the bumpy bits, it features a TKX.LAB suspension system which is supposed to handle aggressive riding and still manage to be gentle when you hit that inevitable pothole that's trying to swallow your front wheel. Stopping is handled by dual disc brakes, which is absolutely what you want when you're going nearly 100 miles per hour on two wheels. Good. Very good. A gentle clap for safety, please.
Image Credit: NIU.
But the truly wild part is the list of fancy features. We're talking about Adaptive Cruise Control - so it can manage its speed automatically - Hill-Start Assist to keep you from rolling back on an incline (a little electronic helping hand is always welcome), and even Push Assist to make manual maneuvering less of a wrestling match.
The lighting system alone sounds like something out of a James Bond film: Smart adaptive headlights that adjust their beam to your surroundings and even ambient lighting that "breathes" underneath the chassis - a disco for your tires! And because we live in a world where everyone wants to be Big Brother, the rear radar not only gives you a warning on your dash, but it projects ground alerts to warn the poor, unsuspecting schmoes driving behind you. That's a new one!
Image Credit: NIU.
My favorite little detail, and I'm not being sarcastic here for once, is the attention to rider comfort. The handlebars and windscreen are electrically adjustable. No more yanking and wrestling with a stubborn piece of plastic. And then, NIU included a tray table, suggesting it might be for a laptop while you're charging, and while I suspect it'll mostly be used for a croissant and a cup of coffee, the thought is just so European. It even has future-ready options like wireless charging.
In terms of security, they've gone absolutely bananas. The Concept 06 comes with full 360-degree camera coverage - front, rear, and a rider-facing camera. Why? To record your ultimate riding experience, apparently. More importantly, it features a Sentry Mode that activates and sends an alert straight to your phone if some ruffian dares to tamper with your magnificent machine. It's a bit much, but considering how gorgeous this thing is, I'd probably want a bouncer, too. You also get real-time tire pressure monitoring, regenerative braking, and a self-opening saddle for effortless access to storage.
Image Credit: NIU.
The official word on the Concept 06 is still under wraps in terms of a final price tag or the all-important battery capacity. That, my friends, is the gently skeptical part of me taking over. It's all well and good to give us the power output and the top speed, but without the range, we're just admiring a very quick, very shiny paperweight. Is the range going to be "across town and back"? Or "across the state and maybe back"? NIU has a great track record with their other scooters and their smart battery management systems, so I'm holding out hope for an impressive number, because to compete with the big boys, it needs a respectable battery to match that respectable speed.
Even with the missing pieces of the puzzle, the NIU Concept 06 is a gorgeous machine that makes me want to throw on my vintage racing leathers and pretend I'm a secret agent. If this is the future of two-wheeled travel, then I'm quite alright with trading in my old gas guzzler. NIU, you have my attention and my credit card. Now, please, can we skip the concept part and get straight to the "Sold Out" part.
Image Credit: NIU.
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