COLOGNE SHOW: BMW K 1600 GT

The Rolls-Royce of touring motorcycles has been officially revealed at the 2010 Intermot motorcycle show, in the form of BMW's new K 1600 GT and GTL - and the bikes are coming to Australia in the second quarter of 2011.

We knew some of the tech specs, but the finished product is nevertheless a sight to behold, and will take the mantle of the world's most technologically advanced and luxurious motorcycle ever made.

Tipping the scales at 319kg for the entry-level K 1600 GT without panniers, and 348kg for the up-sped K 1600 GTL with panniers and top case, the new Beemers may sound heavy but considering the size of the six-cylinder engine and all the technology tucked away beneath the fairing, these motorcycles boast relatively average kerb masses.

One of the major talking points of the new BMW super tourer is its engine, created from scratch for this application. The 1649cc inline six-cylinder engine feature four-valves per cylinder and generates 160hp (118kW) at 7500rpm, with maximum torque of 175Nm at 5000rpm. Power reaches the rear wheel via a six-speed manual gearbox and shaft-drive.

According to BMW, more than 70 percent of maximum torque will hit from as low as 1500rpm, which if proven to be true should give the motorcycle effortless acceleration. Zero to 100km/h acceleration times are quoted as 3.2 seconds for the GT and 3.4 seconds for the heavier GTL.

The German company has been building some of the world's best inline six-cylinder car engines for decades, and it’s applied its extensive knowledge of the engine type to this new engine, which is being touted as "the lightest serially produced 6-cylinder in-line engine for motorcycles in the class" at 102.6kg.

Everything about the engine has been given the royal treatment, with BMW making use of state-of-the-art engine control system it calls 'BMS-X'. This system takes care of all electronics and boasts fully sequential, cylinder-selective fuel injection for all cylinders, along with “rapid processing of extensive sensor signals by means of state-of-the-art microelectronics”. Sounds tasty.

Fuel economy is claimed at 4.5lt/100km when travelling at 90km/h. The GT has a 24-litre fuel tank while the heavier GTL gets a 26.5-litre reservoir.

The chassis is signature BMW Duolever and Paralever, which the company claims deliver “ideal mass concentration for dynamic riding properties combined with optimum comfort”.

The new flagship BMW motorcycles have been carefully designed so as not to offend traditional BMW bike buyers (K 1300 GT owners will be targeted as potential buyers), and so BMW 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 feature updated technology include LED indicators at the front, and the instrument cluster is unlike any motorcycle before it, with an iDrive-inspired infotainment system inspired by BMW's car technology.

Sitting between the circular speedo and tacho instruments is a 5.7-inch TFT colour display, which “enables the attractive presentation of text and graphics over several lines and offers a high level of light density”.

Now if that doesn't tickle your fancy, this might: it’s controlled by a photovoltaic cell that automatically adapts to changing levels of brightness, to ensure optimum legibility. Better yet, the new interface controls everything from the stereo to the satellite navigation, seat and grip heating levels, xenon headlight adjustments and so on.

The K 1600 GT/GTL’s interface is controlled via a ‘Multi-controller’ that sounds like something borrowed from Nintendo, and is located on the left-hand handlebar grip so the rider need not take his hand off the controls -- or their eyes off the road, claims BMW.

Though the system can be manipulated while riding, via the Multi-controller - a world first for a motorcycle claims BMW - only certain functions can be accessed, with the full operations available when stationary.

BMW will also offer an audio system that can interface with MP3 players, iPods and USB sticks, and external music players can be kept in a neat little waterproof storage compartment. North American versions will also get access to satellite radio, but all models will be offered with a Bluetooth function, allowing riders to beam stereo and even telephone calls to rider and passenger helmet speakers.

Interestingly, the optional satellite navigation system can be detached from the motorcycle to be used a mobile navigation device (even in your car), though BMW has designed the electrically adjustable windshield to lower itself over the detachable sat nav box, ensuring “reliable thief-proofing”.

The range of features the new BMW super tourer boasts is staggering - everything from tri-modal traction control, electronic suspension adjustment, cruise control, three engine power modes and acres of storage in the top box and panniers – which 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, but has confirmed to the Bikesales Network the K 1600 GT will be arriving in the second quarter of 2011.

Two colours will be offered, Light Grey metallic and Vermilion Red metallic.