BMW Vision K18 Concept Revealed: Futuristic Luxury Touring Bike Inspired by Aircraft Design
The annual Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este event located at Lake Como, Italy recently had an opportunity for visitors to view BMW Motorrad's latest concept motorcycle - The BMW Vision K18. This concept from BMW Motorrad is intended to be a vision of future high-powered luxury touring motorcycles. It won’t go into mass production but does give a hint of what the company may do next with its product designs based around the ideas of performance, luxury and emotional riding experiences.
The BMW Vision K18 is a very aggressive and bold design. The theme chosen for this project was "The Heat of Speed," as the objective; to create not only a remarkable piece of engineering but also a remarkable piece of art in craftsmanship. The SMS 5X motorcycle symbolizes the vision of BMW. This bike gives a great impression of speed with motion even at rest, during establishing a strong emotional bond with the rider.
The design of the motorcycle is also heavily influenced by the massive 1800cc engine that powers it. BMW has taken this engine and made it the main focus of the design through the creation of a long sculpted base that creates the perfect view of how beautiful and emotionally connected the motorcycle is. The motorbikes are built using aviation styled body work, aircraft type construction, and utilize innovative design and production methods developed for the aeronautics industry.
The VW Vision K18 utilizes six air inlets, six exhausts, and six LED headlights to project/communicate the horse power of an engine with a six cylinder arrangement. Around the completed body of the bike, BMW has provided misty areas as a special visual effect, which signify the heat and force produced by the high-power produced while utilizing an engine is working.
The bike has been made using handcrafted aluminum panels, with carbon fiber and polished metal for detailing. The largest single piece of the bike is considered to be the two meters long side panel, which is shaped to appear as if it were carved out of one solid piece of material.
The BMW Vision K18 employs pan aviation-grade cooling systems, hydraulic suspension components, and provides for an aerodynamic appearance with the air collector housing system being redesigned to tunnel cold air through the motorcycle engine and enhance engine cooling.
More than just the next evolution of the motorcycle, the BMW Vision K18 has also been established as a masterpiece that previews 21st century BMW Motorrad Touring Motorcycles development focusing on providing bike riders with a combination of innovative style, exceptional performance, and superior craft quality.
