The Bonkers New BMW Superbike With a Nitrous Oxide Power Boost

BMW continues to use its concepts as an opportunity to show off. The German marqueMarqueA brand name of a car manufacturer, particularly one associated with prestige, such as Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, or Aston Martin. The term emphasizes a make's heritage and identity beyond product lines,Go to Marque Glossary’s motorcycle division, BMW Motorrad, has just unveiled an outrageous new superbike concept called the Titan. The futuristic prototype features a super aggressive design and a nitrous oxide cannister for a (theoretical) performance boost.

The Titan is based on the new R 1300 R, which launched earlier this year. The production model is classified as a sport tourer, but the concept has the look of a full-on superbike. It’s much more streamlined than its real-world counterpart, with the lack of clunky cladding meaning that its Wilbers chassis, powertrain, and extra-long swinging arm are on full display. The bike also features a sharper front cow with a razor-thin front lamp, an intimidating titanium exhaust system, and a video game-like liveryLiveryThe distinctive, recognizable paint scheme, colors, and markings applied to a vehicle, aircraft, or yacht. Racing liveries, such as classic Gulf blue and orange, have become iconic, and owners increasinglyGo to Livery Glossary that manages to work in all of BMW’s trademark colors. The company has built its fair share of sporty bikes over the years, but the Titan takes things to another level.

The concept has a more streamlined design that the R 1300 R. *BMW*

It makes sense that BMW Motorrad would want to highlight the Titan’s powertrain, of course. The bike, like the R 1300 R, is powered by the company’s most powerful boxer engine yet. Here, that mill, which already produces 140 hp and 110 ft lbs of torque, is also accompanied by a nitrous oxide bottle.

The press release announcing the prototype is short of performance numbers—as tends to be the case with concepts—but does promise that the addition results in “extra power” going forward. We can’t be sure, but it wouldn’t be all that surprising if the Titan is capable of bettering the R 1300 R’s 3.4-second zero-to-62 mph time and 124 mph top speed.

The motorcycle features a unique livery that works in all of BMW’s trademark colors. *BMW*

Now, of course, the question is: will BMW Motorrad actually build the Titan? The press release makes no mention of whether there are any plans to put the futuristic superbike in production. And while we wouldn’t hold our breath, it’s not impossible either.

The concept comes equipped with a nitrous oxide canister. *BMW*

The motorcycle’s sister company, plain old BMW, has shown a willingness to put its more head-turning concepts, like the Skytop roadster and Speedtop shooting brake, into production. That is one trend we wouldn’t mind seeing continue.