That may be true but don't over-estimate the value of 'heritage' - BMW have tried in the past to dump the Boxer and will do again if it makes economic sense.If it weren't for BMW Motorrad, BMW AG would not exist today - their motorcycles and the motorcycle-engined Isettas carried the company through the Fifties until the 114 / E6 / E10 / E12 and E3 series took off in the Sixties.
BMW have already moved away from their trademark in-line six, simply because of economics.
That's not quite what happened. The 924 was a Porsche and VAG joint effort to produce a VW or Audi sports car. VAG then pulled-out and Porsche went ahead with the 924 (and the subsequent models) as their own 'entry level' car. The 928 was always destined to be a Porsche but one intended to appeal to the Americans (big V8 and a boot to take golf bats).
Yep and that's the problem for BMW. They may well be able to water-cool the Boxer-Twin but will it be a practical motorcycle application?
Not stupid just missing the point. The EU has had new noise emission regulations on the way for a long time. Long enough to allow manufacturers to plan and develop products to meet them when they are put in place.
R&D is expensive but it's been going on (with regard to the new regulations) long enough for it to have passed the point of no return where there'd be a greater loss to the manufacturer to drop the project than to continue into production and recoup the costs.
It may be possible that manufacturers, such as BMW, who have engines in current production, will use the economic downturn to argue that the new reg's introduction is postponed to a better economic time in the future but the EU is not renowned for U-turns. Few European manufacturers will be affected by the changes, I doubt that there will be a strong lobby against the introduction.
I happened to be in my local dealership yesterday, at a guess, I'd say that of their new stock on display, less than 25% were Boxer engined. A few years ago that would have been nearer 75%.
