In a quest for more power and better emissions
control, it has been reported that BMW Motorrad is developing variable valve
timing (VVT) for its iconic R-series boxer twin engines. German publication
Motorrad says the liquid-cooled boxer will also get a displacement increase,
from the current 1,170 cc to 1,250 cc.
Most known for being used in its best-selling
GS-series dual-purpose and overlander adventure motorcycles, BMW Motorrad’s
boxer is the second on the scene with VVT in a twin, the first being the Ducati
Multistrada Testastretta 11 V-twin. Benefits from using VVT include increased
torque at lower engine speeds without compromising top-end power.
Powered by an liquid-cooled boxer engine with an
output of 125 hp at 7,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 125 Nm at 6,500 rpm, the
R 1200 GS carries a catalytic convertor and revised engine management in 2017
to meet current Euro 4 requirements. With the addition of VVT, along with
increased displacement, BMW’s boxer can be expected to see a power gain that
should bring it close to the Multistrada 1200’s claimed 152 hp and 128 Nm of
torque.
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