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Volkswagen Unveils Licensed Smart E‑Bikes With Radar Rear Camera

The premium models transplant car-grade safety and connected accessories to urban e-bikes while key lighting features await legal approval.

Overview

  • Volkswagen and n+ released the new lineup between July 19 and July 21, offering an integrated safety suite centered on a radar-assisted rear‑view camera called Smart View that shows live footage on a handlebar display and issues blind‑spot alerts.
  • The bikes include a Smart Lights system: a full-length LED strip in the top tube that acts as a daytime running light and changes color for braking and turn signals, though n+ says some of those lighting functions are not yet street‑legal in every market.
  • Optional accessories pair with the bike over Bluetooth, including a Smart Helmet with crash detection that can notify emergency contacts and smart glasses that project navigation and blind‑spot warnings as a heads‑up display.
  • Both Sport and Crossover models use a Yamaha 250 W mid‑drive motor rated at 85 Nm that assists to an EU‑legal 25 km/h, and buyers can choose a 0.49 kWh battery (advertised ~120 km) or an 0.81 kWh pack (advertised up to ~260 km).
  • Preorders are open with deliveries targeted for Q4 2026 subject to certification, and the premium pricing starts near €3,999 ($4k+), raising questions about real‑world safety gains, distraction risk from HUDs, and consumer willingness to pay for the accessory ecosystem.