The BKE Concept, or "Bike Concept" if you say it out loud, is meant to be last-mile EV mobility that folds up and can fit in the back of your GR-86. Have you ever thought to yourself about what a Toyota-built motorbike might be like? I suppose at this point, whether you have or not doesn't matter, because they've done it. Or, at least, they've built a concept version. Look to the right of the image just above, and you'll see the Scion by Toyota BKE Concept. In speaking about Scion by Toyota, the Toyota USA folks pronounced it like "Bike," so that's how you should probably hear it in your head. No need for the three syllables you'd have to expend if you spelled it out when one will do, right? Of the three vehicles that Toyota USA spoke about in this presentation, the BKE Concept was the one it spent the least time on. However, what they did say is that it's meant to be a simple little folding last-mile EV. You can throw it in the back of the production-ready KEI-01, of course; something they were all too happy to demonstrate in the press photo back released in conjunction with this announcement. Scion by Toyota It's not clear whether Scion by Toyota will also offer some OEM accessory wheel chocks and tiedowns made specifically to work in the KEI-01's tiny little bed, but one can only hope. Incidentally, if you happen to also own a Toyota GR-86, they did also mention during the presentation that the BKE Concept can apparently fold down and fit in the boot of your GR-86. That acknowledgement alone makes it seem like Toyota definitely wanted to create its own answer to that original (and adorable) hot hatch mobility power couple, the Honda City II Turbo and the Motocompo. Only, you know, in a more Toyota-y way. The design language is Toyota through and through, in all cases. While it's true that the BKE Concept is still just a concept, it does already look a bit more everyday-practical than Honda's updated Motocompacto. Maybe not quite as easy to carry, but the slightly larger wheels (and the rear fender, which was specifically designed after Akio Toyoda said that wet pavement was resulting in him getting splashed when he took it out to ride in the wet) make it seem like it's probably at least a marginally more pleasant space to occupy. What do you think? Should Scion by Toyota bring the BKE Concept to life as a full production vehicle? If so, what do you think a good price for it would be, and what features should it absolutely have (or not have)? Let us know in the comments.
Liked by Chloé Martin, Sophie RogersLiked by Chloé Martin, Sophie Rogers
Liked by Chloé Martin, Sophie Rogers
