BMW K1600GT Reveal

German motorsports giant, BMW, unveiled its latest sport-touring offerings, the 2012 BMW K1600GT and K1600GTL motorcycles today at the powersports Mecca that is Jay Leno’s garage in Southern California. These motorcycles replace the current Inline Four-powered BMW K1300S and K1300GT.

As promised the new BMW’s sport an ultra high-tech Inline Six engine that showcases the German’s company’s engineering know-how. For more technical information about the engine and sub-systems make sure to check out our 2011 BMW K1600GT First Look and BMW Unveils K1600GT at INTERMOT posts. For this article we’ll feature some of the other specifications that haven’t yet been discussed.

The K1600 GT has been engineered specifically for solo riding. It still offers a passenger seat but it was designed first and foremost to whisk the rider to his destination as quickly and comfortably as possible. The ergonomics are designed to deliver a sportier ride and the seat is more firm which in turn delivers more feedback to what’s happening at the business end of the tires.

Seat height is also adjustable, offering between 30.7 inch or 31.5 inch settings. The rear suspension has been calibrated with firmer damping settings. In terms of aesthetics the engine and the lower body panels are contrasting in color which helps show off the sides of the engine. The GT comes standard with two removable side cases and an optional top case is available to increase cargo capacity.

Where the GT is designed more for sport riding, the GTL is engineered for cross-country touring where comfort is paramount. Seat height has been reduced to 29.5 inches, is much wider and has extra padding. The arrangement of the handlebar and footpegs has been modified to make the bike comfortable to operate for extended periods of time. Other ergonomic improvement including a larger electronically adjustable windscreen and more forgiving rear suspension damping settings.

Both motorcycles share a host of standard features including: xenon headlights (inspired from its car line-up), heated seats/grips, cruise control, 5.7 inch color LCD display, ABS, color-matched and removable side bags, luggage rack, adjustable engine power modes and full LED lighting. Furthermore the GTL adds an advanced, automotive-derived Bluetooth and iPhone compatible audio and communication system (includes SIRIUS Satellite Radio w/ a one year subscription). This is also available as an option on the GT model.

Other available options include the adaptive headlight system (moves right or left and up/or down automatically), dynamic traction control, electronically adjustable suspension, central locking system, tire pressure monitor, alarm, and modular GPS that can be neatly integrated into the cockpit of the motorcycle. All of the electronic features can be controlled via the five-way ring controller mounted on the left handlebar. With the controller the rider can work through the LCD menu system and modify each setting without taking their eyes off the road.

Both bikes are claimed to weigh just over 700 pounds ready to ride. The GT makes use of a 6.3-gallon capacity fuel tank where the more touring-oriented GTL gets an extra 0.7-gallon capacity. Despite its weight and increased engine size, BMW claims that both bikes actually deliver greater fuel efficiency than the K1300s. Pricing hasn’t’ been announced on either model, but BMW says that they will begin arriving in dealerships in the U.S. during the spring of 2011. BMW dealers will begin taking orders for the new bikes in January through a pre-sales campaign which allows buyers to “reserve” their machine so they can ride it home as soon as it hits the dealership.

The New Toyota Supra

Toyota started the Supra project back in the days when it was still testing the ground to see if it could sell Luxury vehicles in the US, of course, now that Lexus is dominating the luxury segment in the states (and not doing too badly here either), the answer was an obvious yes.

However a few years ago Toyota went a little crazy, they decided that they no longer needed proper sports cars, they dumped the MR2 (After they turned it into the revolting male hairdresser car, which was its last incarnation), they dumped the Celica (having already dumped the GT4 version of the celicas some time ago) and they had already given up on the Supra back in 2002.
So whilst I say toyota gave up on sports cars, they of course had the Lexus IS series, but since Toyota wants to stay very separate to Lexus, there is no point in counting the IS series as part of Toyota’s sports line up. Hence began the era of “Sportivo” the horrible name associated with front-wheel-drive vehicles that were nothing more than a last minute decision to add some “sportyness” to the brand.
Of course for those who bought the likes of Camry/Corollo Sportivos, the sheer shame of driving a car named sportivo should have been enough disappointment, but Toyota has gotten away with having no real sports car for a very long time!
So enough about Toyota’s mistakes, lets just take a few minutes and admire this car:
 TOYOTA GALEERY