2018 BMW C 400 X
FIRST TEST
P106
This is doubtless aimed at
allaying any concerns for cus-
tomers with long memories. After
BMW switched production of its
complete G 650 GS motorcycle
to the Loncin factory in 2009,
it soon became aware of vari-
ous quality problems associated
with outsourcing it to China,
and repatriated manufacture to
its Spandau factory in Berlin in
2011, leaving Loncin to manufac-
ture only the engines. However,
judging by the good build quality
of the array of C 400 X scooters
fresh out of China, which awaited
us for the June press launch just
north of Milan, such issues have
been successfully addressed this
time around. Indeed, the per-
ceived quality of the switchgear,
or of the plastics of, say, the pair
of lockable storage bins in front
of your knees (with a 12V socket
in the right one, which has room
to charge a large smartphone),
is fully in-line with competitors'
products, and arguably of better
quality than on BMW's own larger
C650 models.
Having begun clean-sheet
development of the C 400 X four
years ago, in 2014, production of
this 2019-model scooter began
in China on July 1, according to
Maier, with deliveries to Europe-
an dealers commencing in early
October, followed by the USA
and Australia before year's end.
This is indeed a world model,
though it's expected that Italy,
(Above) The C 400 X
is the first midsize
scooter developed in
Germany, but to be
wholly manufactured
in China by Loncin.
(Left) Sophisticated
optional TFT dash offers
complete connectivity
via Bluetooth and wide
range of digital aids.
