BMW has confirmed it will be hitting Milan with four new models that will be showcased at EICMA on November 5-8.
The German ‘Motorrad’ company is the latest big manufacturer to hint at what it’ll be revealing on the day, but only goes as far as saying how many it will pull the wraps off rather than what it will actually display.
For once though, we arguably have more than four potential models that could break cover in Milan, such is the fast pace at which BMW is developing its range.
Here are our candidiates…
BMW R18
The motorcycle most likely to earn centre stage at EICMA is the production version of the ambitious BMW R18. Revealed in concept form at BMW Motorrad Days in Garmish – but looking much like a showroom ready model with a bit of extra polish – the BMW R18 cruiser was recently partially revealed by eagle-eyed spotters as it was boxed up.
BMW’s first attempt at going for the cruiser market and the latest big brand to encroach on Harley-Davidson’s once heavily fortified corner, the BMW R18 will likely become a keen halo model for the entire Motorrad range.
BMW F850 R
Fresh from those pesky patent images breaking cover this week, it is anticipated the latest generation BMW F850 R will be revealed in full ungrainy glory at EICMA.
Based on these images, the 2020 BMW F850 R mid-weight sports naked appears to be entirely new from the ground-up, not simply a facelift being passed off as a modest world premiere.
The swingarm, frame, engine, bodywork, clocks and fuel tank appear to be all new, with only the front forks and wheels being carried over from the outgoing model. The new bike also features a new, underslung exhaust system, doing away with the bulky side-mounted item of the old F850 R.
BMW S1000XR / BMW S1000R
With the BMW S1000RR superbike grabbing all the headlines in 2018, it’s only reasonable to assume the sister BMW S1000XR and BMW S1000R are imminently set to be brought into line with his latest generation super-brother.
Moreover, with 2020 Euro5 emissions set to begin biting some of the more powerful and older models in the BMW range, both are set to get the more powerful, lighter and efficient version of the 999cc inline four from the S1000RR.
However, it is also possible BMW will whittle its range down to just one of these machines rather than update both after the XR disappeared from US model line-ups recently.
BMW M Range
A Ducati Panigale V4 R rivalling BMW S1000 RR M give us thrills and chills of anticipation. While we’re reaching a little here based on the relatively meagre knowledge that BMW has trademarked the ‘M” lineage for its two-wheel range, the prospect of a range of hyper-power motorcycles wearing the propeller is certainly a mouth-watering one.
However, this could prove a somewhat misleading ruse. Though the headlines of the M brand on the automotive side are flagship sporty models like the M3 or M6, it is also used as a line of accessories and styling tweaks for more standard machinery. This could ultimately prove to be the case now, but we can hope… and more could be revealed in EICMA whether it’s on stage or from the chairman’s mouth.
BMW Vision DC Concept
Any appearance by the BMW Vision DC isn’t likely to be classified as a world premiere as such since this concept was revealed at BMW Motorrad Days earlier in the year, though it’s most likely going to be on display at EICMA.
Not much time has elapsed for this wacky – but certainly innovative – electric motorcycle concept to move into anything resembling production form, but BMW has a habit of doing the motor show circuit with updated versions of its proposed future models. So, it’s entirely possible a different iteration of this platform could debut at EICMA.
Either way, this model – whatever form it takes – will likely be basis from which to explore BMW’s plans for the electrification of its motorcycle range, not least whether it will follow the format of the firm’s electric cars, which are being grouped together under the semi-separate ‘i’ sub-brand.
