BMW K 1600 GTL leaked

BMW's technological super tourer, the K 1600 GTL, has broken cover. Official images of the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles were leaked, giving us our first look at how the bike is shaping up.

Showing off a relatively conservative design, the slightly grainy images reveal a big bore tourer that adheres to BMW's current design philosophy, essentially an evolution of the K 1300 GT's styling.

Being readied for its official debut in Cologne, Germany, at Intermot 2010, the leaked images of the range-topping K 1600 GTL will assure traditional BMW bike buyers that it hasn't done anything too radical with the super tourer's design.

The new look headlight cluster has a subtle new design that incorporates adaptive headlights, which swivel to illuminate around corners instead of straight ahead. Other design elements that include updated technology include LED indicators at the front, and the instrument cluster will be unlike any motorcycle before it, with an iDrive infotainment system borrowed from the BMW car world.

This iDrive system integrates all motorcycle systems, from the satellite navigation to the iPod-compatible stereo, and is expected to feature an innovative input method. Car-based iDrive system used a rotary dial, and the new K 1600 GTL may employ a similar system.

Features such as traction control, electronic suspension adjustment, heated hand grips and seat, cruise control, three engine power modes - plus acres of storage in the top box and panniers - will ensure the new Beemer is unmatched in terms of technological gadgets and doodads.

But of course such sophistication doesn't come cheap, and having the latest and greatest will no doubt cost a pretty penny. BMW Motorrad Australia is still a fair way off finalising pricing and arrival dates for the new model, but we'll keep you posted on that front.

We've covered the mechanical aspects of the new inline six-cylinder BMW K 1600 GT engine in detail, but here's the rehash: 1649 cubic centimetres of brawn generates 160hp (118kW) at 7500rpm, with maximum torque of 175Nm at 5000rpm.

According to BMW, more than 70 per cent of maximum torque will hit from as low as 1500rpm, which if proven to be true should give the motorcycle effortless acceleration.

The new engine also raises an intriguing question: Will it be used on other new models? A big bore adventure bike would be, well, interesting...

We'll have more news on the BMW K 1600 GT and BMW K 1600 GTL from Intermot in Germany.

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