With the launch of the R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental you would think that the K 1600 story is now finally over, but nothing could be further from the truth. German certification data shows that BMW has made the six-cylinder in-line engine a lot cleaner.
The K 1600 is currently the only model in the German manufacturer’s range that does not yet meet Euro 5 and given the fact that the combustion engine is increasingly being pushed into the dark by politics, we were not surprised by this. if for that reason BMW had pulled the plug from the K 1600.
However, German certification data confirm that BMW has not been idle. The certificates confirm new, significantly lower emissions for the K 1600 GT, K 1600 GTL and K 1600 B. According to those data, the three models have not lost any power, which is still 158 hp, but the CO2 and hydrocarbon emissions are significant lower than the current block.
That is good news for lovers of the six-cylinder tour buffalo, because that means that a new K 1600 family is on the way, without the Grand America that is not mentioned in the documents. It is also possible that BMW will only market it in the US, where the Euro 5 standard does not apply.
What the arrival of a new K 1600 also betrays is that BMW has very subtly added -2020 to the URL on its official websites for Belgium, Switzerland, Greece, Luxembourg and Portugal. Although those pages in question are currently not loading due to a technical glitch.
Although, apart from the motor specifications, it is still conjecture about the new K 1600, but we do have an idea. The 10.25″ TFT display that made its debut on the R 1250 RT last year will undoubtedly make its appearance on the K 1600, as will the adaptive cruise control. In addition, the IMU will also make its appearance. with cornering ABS and lean angle dependent traction control.
We think it won’t be long before the new K 1600 will be unveiled. BMW has canceled this year’s EICMA and will – just like Ducati – present all the news online.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.