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BMW's first watersports EV arrives: a Neue Klasse–inspired e-SUP
BMW is branching beyond roads and into water with its first electrically powered watersports product: a co-branded electric, self-inflating stand-up paddleboard (e-SUP) developed with Estonian partner SipaBoards. Officially called the BMW x SipaBoards e-SUP, the board is designed to carry the automaker’s Neue Klasse styling cues into a new lifestyle category while showcasing BMW’s growing emphasis on electrified mobility.
What is it and who’s it for?
The e-SUP is a self-inflating stand-up paddleboard with an integrated electric drive that assists paddlers rather than replacing them. It’s intended for watersports fans who want easier, longer excursions on lakes and calm coastal waters without the bulk or complexity of a motorboat. BMW positions the product as a premium, design-led lifestyle accessory for owners drawn to both the Neue Klasse aesthetic and the brand’s move into sustainable electric mobility.
Key specifications
- Motor output: up to 300 watts of continuous assistance
- Batteries: two 90 Wh modules (standard) for about 3.5 hours of runtime; optional two 180 Wh modules arriving in 2026 to extend endurance to roughly 7 hours
- Top assisted speed: roughly 4.6 mph (7.5 km/h)
- Size: 12 ft (3.65 m) long, 2.7 ft (0.82 m) wide, 6 in (0.15 m) thick
- Weight: approximately 33 lb (15 kg) including motor
- Capacity: designed to carry up to two people
Design and digital integration
The BMW x SipaBoards e-SUP borrows graphical themes and material cues from the Neue Klasse. The carbon-fiber paddle houses the Bluetooth remote-control hardware and follows BMW’s new design language, while the board’s visual identity echoes the automaker’s current electric models. A dedicated smartphone app provides route tracking, GPS, battery status, and performance logging — bringing a familiar connected-vehicle feel to a watersports product.
A bespoke propeller and mounting system were developed specifically for this co-branded product, enabling quick attachment of accessories and third-party gear. BMW and SipaBoards say the e-SUP will be offered in three colorways and supported by optional accessories like an Insta360 X5 camera mount and BMW-branded apparel.
Price and availability
The BMW x SipaBoards e-SUP is available to order now in Europe at a launch price of €3,990 (around $4,650 at current exchange rates). The optional larger battery pack scheduled for 2026 should broaden appeal for long-distance paddling and multi-user outings.
Market positioning and what it means for BMW
This paddleboard is more than a niche gadget: it’s a calculated brand-extension play. BMW needs visibility for the Neue Klasse era, and lifestyle products are one way to translate automotive design into everyday experiences. While purists may raise eyebrows at a luxury carmaker lending its name to watersports equipment, the move follows a wider trend of OEMs exploring branded accessories and electrified micro-mobility options.
Quote: "Think of it as wearable BMW electric mobility for water," reads the product positioning — an attempt to make the Neue Klasse identity resonate beyond the car.
- Pros: premium design, lightweight build, integrated app and Bluetooth control
- Cons: modest top speed, premium price vs. unbranded e-SUPs
Outlook
If the e-SUP sells well, BMW may expand into more electrically powered leisure gear or lifestyle products to bolster the Neue Klasse message. For car enthusiasts and watersports fans alike, the BMW x SipaBoards e-SUP is an intriguing crossover: it combines automotive design DNA and connected features with practical e-mobility on water. Whether it becomes a must-have accessory or a limited-edition novelty will depend on consumer uptake and how BMW leverages this experiment in future branding and product strategy.
Source: autoevolution
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