The Chinese brand unveiled its flagship luxury touring bike at the Beijing International Motorcycle Exhibition, and it's powered by the world's only 2.0-liter flat-eight motorcycle engine.
Unfortunately, Great Wall hasn't released performance specs for the engine yet, but flat engines are preferred in big bikes because they keep the center of gravity low, offer better stability, and are easier to lift.
The massive engine will be mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. It's said to be designed to make it easier for riders to start from a stop, and adds to the luxurious riding experience when the rider is on the open road.
Speaking of luxury, the Souo touring bike comes with a heated seat, a windshield that raises at the touch of a button, blind spot monitoring, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen powered by an automotive-grade 8155 chip with over-the-air update support and voice control.
At the motorcycle's presentation, Great Wall's chairman, Wei Jianjun, said that he just loves motorcycles and that this was a passion project for him.
Souo motorcycle
While that's cool, there may also be a business argument for the Souo touring bike, which can be interpreted as the motorcycle equivalent of the Bugatti Veyron. VW CEO Ferdinand Piech commissioned the car, which has a massive (and weird) engine and more power than anyone could really use on a daily basis. But it also brought a lot of attention to Bugatti and became one of the all-time bedroom wall poster cars.
Attracting attention and establishing technical credibility is particularly important for Great Wall as it seeks to penetrate the motorcycle segment, which is largely dominated by a few Japanese brands. The Chinese brand seems to have strategized that a significant technological showcase could boost its brand recognition. If it can attract some Honda Goldwing customers, all the better.
Source: Carscoops
