BMW wants you to know that its latest EV is sea-worthy
No, the German luxury marque isn’t taking a page from Elon Musk’s playbook. Instead, its teamed up with SipaBoards on a new stand-up paddleboard. The easily transportable device features an integrated motor and swappable battery packs designed to make getting around on water easier than ever before.
Those not familiar with the water sports world may not know the SipaBoards name, but the Australian company is a natural partner for BMW on this project. The brand has been selling electric stand-up paddleboards, or SUPS, as it calls them, since 2014 and is regarded as one of the global leaders in the segment.
The BMW Tourer Electric was designed to make the take car of the arduous parts of paddleboarding for its rider. The board looks just like SipaBoards’s standard Tourer model at a glance, but is covered in one of three unique patterns inspired by the “Neue Klasse” design language that’ll be seen on BMW’s next generation of EVs. Its dimensions—it stretches 12 feet end-to-end and measures 32.3 inches at its widest point—mean it can hold up to two paddlers who are pushed along by a silent waterjet motor built into its tail.
The board’s specially designed propulsion system was engineered with speed in mind. SipaBoards says the BMW Tourer Electric can deliver “swift, smooth acceleration” up to four knots. It’s also fairly efficient. Thanks to its modular Dual+ battery system, the board can deliver between three-and-a-half and seven hours of cruising time, according to SipaBoards. It also features an integrated 5,000-lumen LED light to illuminate the water beneath you and a GPS.
The electric paddleboard will also be easy to get to and from the beach. When not in use, the device can be deflated and folded into an included canvas backpack that’s guaranteed to fit into nearly any car or boat. When you’re ready to get out on the water, the integrated motor can be used to inflate the board within minutes.
Ready to get out on the open water? SipaBoards is selling the BMW Tourer Electric now through its website. The SUP starts at US$4,804.30, which is US$1,326.80 more than the standard, un-branded model.
This story was first published on Robb Report USA. Featured photo by BMW
