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BMW Motorrad celebrates 90 years with new R nineT roadster [w/video]

90 years is a heck of a long time by any standard, and as good a cause for celebration as we've ever seen. That's how long BMW has been making motorcycles for, and it's celebrating with the retro cafe racer you see here - as promised and previewed.
Dubbed the R nineT (for 90 years), the latest product from BMW Motorrad traces its roots back to the original 1923 BMW R 32. And like the original, it's powered by a boxer twin - in this case, a 1,170cc air- and oil-cooled unit delivering 110 horsepower and 88 pound-feet of torque. All that muscle is packed into a classically-styled roadster that looks ready to line up next to a Moto Guzzi Griso, Triumph Thruxton or Ducati SportClassic.
The neo-retro styling drapes a unique tubular steel spaceframe chassis that uses the engine as a stressed member. The inverted telescopic front fork is borrowed from the S 1000 RR superbike and a paralever swingarm with spring strut suspends the rear. That's where you'll find a removable rear pillion for an extra passenger and dual tailpipes mounted on the left side, swappable for a titanium Akrapovic exhaust - just one of many customization options BMW Motorrad is offering for the R nineT.

BMW Concept 90 Motorcycle debuts at Villa d'Este

The Concept 90 is one of two new vehicles BMW is showing off at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on the tony shores of Lake Como in Italy. This year is the 90th anniversary of BMW Motorrad and the 40th anniversary of the R 90 S (inset) - the first production motorcycle to come with a front fairing - and BMW has worked with custom bike builder Roland Sands Design to craft a homage to the Daytona Orange boxer from the Seventies.
While following the line of its forbearer, obviously the Concept 90 has been sexed and sleeked up. The bodywork is of hand-worked aluminum, the giant halogen lamp of the 1975 model (which is when Daytona Orange was introduced) has gone LED, and the front engine cover, valve covers, exhaust and wheels have been made with a contrast-cut milling process.
For a finer description of the Concept 90 check out the press release below, or skip the words and go straight to the high-res images above.

BMW already considering four cylinders for next M3

The cylinder count in BMW's M3 has fluctuated over the years. The original M3 debuted in 1985 packing a 2.3-liter inline-four, but subsequent models went with sixes until the outgoing generation upped the cylinder count to eight. With its latest model, BMW has dropped back to six cylinders with a pair of turbos taking the place of the extra pistons. But the next M3 sedan and M4 coupe could go back to the model line's roots with a four-cylinder engine.
Speaking with BMW M product manager Carsten Pries at the launch of the latest M3 and M4 in Portugal, our Aussie compatriots at Motoring.com.au report that "you could see a future [M3] powered by a four-cylinder engine." Offsetting the reduction in cylinders, the lighter engine would benefit the vehicle's weight and balance, thus enhancing performance.
We wouldn't expect the next M3 and M4 to lose any power in the process, though: Output in the M3 has only risen over the generations, from 192 horsepower in the four-pot original to 282 hp in the six-cylinder E36, 338 hp in the six-cylinder E46, 414 hp in the V8 E90 and 425 ponies in the new turbocharged six-cylinder F80 model. With that latter model having just debuted, it'll likely be a good six or seven years before the next version comes along, giving BMW plenty of time to settle on an engine - however many cylinders and turbochargers it has. In the meantime, you'll have to forgive us for taking a romp down M3 memory lane in the fresh gallery of images above.