It’s not something that you generally hear a lot about, but BMW actually sells a number of bikes like the Cruise Bike and the Cruise M bike. More recently it has developed something it calls the e-Bike that carries a 400-wh battery and small electric motor that offers pedal assist. The thing can hit a maximum of 16 mph with a range of close to 62 miles with pedal assistance. In light of the BMW i8 special edition that just made its debut at the Paris Motor Show, BMW decided to make an e-Bike equivalent called the Cruise e-Bike Dark Silver.

The same engineers responsible for designing automotive special editions for BMW must also be in charge of designing the brand’s special-edition bikes. Why do I say that? Well, because there really isn’t that much special about it. It’s painted in Protonic Dark Silver, just like that special-edition i8, and also has Electric Blue rims that BMW says “underlines the bike’s athletic character.” The e-Bike is being produced in just 300 units and is on sale now in Europe with a starting price of €3,500 or about $3,859 at current exchange rates.

That price for this special-edition e-Bike is €550 more than the standard e-Bike or about $385 more in U.S. currency. Each bike will also come with a certificate of authenticity and a special badge to help remind you that this isn’t your regular, run-of-the-mill e-Bike.

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Why it matters

I tend to like the idea of BMW’s e-bike due to its effective use of current technology, but being electrically assisted kind of takes away from the purpose the bike is supposed to serve, doesn’t it? Riding a bike is a great way to get exercise and stay active, so I hate to see that concept being adulterated by an e-Bike. As far as this special-edition model goes, I’m not convinced that it's worth the asking price of nearly $4,000. An extra $550 to have the frame sprayed in Protonic Dark Silver and the rims in Electric Blue? Seems a little steep to me, but then again, I’m not exactly a BMW enthusiast or major fanboy, so BMW doesn’t care what I think about it anyway. What do you think about the e-Bike special edition? Are the two paint colors worth the extra $550? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Read our full review of the 2017 BMW I8 Protonic Dark Silver Edition here.