It scarcely appears attainable that BMW Motorrad’s lineup-leading S1000RR sportbike truly made its official public debut an entire decade and a half in the past in April 2008, with deliveries starting the next 12 months. Regardless that 15 years is a very long time, particularly within the Superbike area, the place critical gamers like BeeEm, in addition to Ducati, Aprilia, and the Japanese, don’t stint on investing in fast-moving high-end technical R&D in pursuit of engineering excellence, the German model’s first-ever buyer bike with a transverse-mounted four-cylinder has maintained its forefront fame for each mechanical and digital innovation ever since then, and the newly launched newest model isn’t any exception.
It is because, for the approaching 2023 mannequin 12 months, BMW has basically uprated its present quantity manufacturing model of the bike by transplanting an excellent chunk of the array of technical upgrades obtainable till now solely to round 1,200 well-heeled or well-sponsored customers of the M1000RR, the uber-expensive, uber-performing model of BMW’s street-legal superbike that’s been on sale for the previous two years, basically as a homologation particular for Superbike racing. As such, it earned its preserve by powering Peter Hickman to a trio of record-breaking race wins on the 2022 Isle of Man TT – albeit with out breaking his astounding outright single-lap report of 135.452mph set within the 2018 Senior TT on an S1000RR – whereas additionally registering hard-fought race wins for Hicky and Danny Buchan within the hot-as-Hades BSB collection. Nevertheless, to this point the BMW has didn’t be a real contender for high honors in World Superbike for the previous decade, ever since Marco Melandri completed third within the factors desk on an S1000RR in 2012 – and that’s regardless of confirmed WSBK winner Scott Redding becoming a member of the manufacturing facility group final season.
An all-new engine
Whereas BMW’s authentic game-changing, extremely short-stroke 2009 S1000RR set new requirements on debut for collection manufacturing four-cylinder Superbike know-how, in 2019 there was a heavy revamp with lower than 5% of the 8,200 elements making up your complete bike, together with the engine, carried over from earlier than. BMW Motorrad administration was seeking to considerably enhance on the prevailing bike’s efficiency, which means they wished it to be one second sooner on the racetrack, greater than 10kg lighter, and simpler to regulate, with improved rideability. Doing this entailed creating an all-new, lighter, extra compact and extra highly effective 999cc engine measuring an unchanged 80 x 49.7 mm, which whereas 12mm narrower than its predecessor, additionally weighed 8.8 lbs much less. This was thanks partly to a crankshaft 4 lbs lighter than earlier than carrying 4mm shorter and 10% lighter conrods, which collectively delivered even higher pickup all through the rev vary. However essentially the most important step that’s been carried ahead alongside these different options to the 2023 mannequin was the appliance of BMW’s patented ShiftCam Expertise launched on that 12 months’s R1250GS journey tourer’s Boxer motor, then transferred to BMW’s four-cylinder vary. This combines each variable consumption valve timing and differential valve elevate, all in the identical package deal, and along with revised cam profiles is liable for a minimum of 73.8 lb-ft of torque being obtainable between 5,500 rpm and 14,600 rpm, the place the short-stroke engine’s unchanged soft-action limiter cuts in. And that 8.8-lb weight saving got here regardless of the two.2-lb weight penalty entailed in becoming the ShiftCam system.
BMW Motorrad’s ShiftCam Expertise owes nothing to the Vanos variable valve timing know-how developed 30 years in the past to be used on BMW automobiles, nor the Valvetronic variable valve elevate system launched in 2001, each of which had been thought of too cumbersome for bike use. As a substitute, the novel, extremely revolutionary ShiftCam system within the S1000RR engine’s cylinder heads combines each variable valve timing and differential valve elevate, all in the identical package deal, as a way of optimizing cam timing and period for what you’re asking the engine to do. For part-throttle openings, or decrease down within the rev vary, the cam has a shorter elevate and lowered period, which means the inlet valves are open much less. However ask for extra throttle or greater revs and the cam shifts sideways, bringing into play the next elevate, longer period cam lobe, extra suited to outright efficiency.
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That is achieved by having the inlet camshaft of every cylinder incorporating two totally different cam profiles mounted aspect by aspect on the identical shaft. One in all these is a partial-load cam, which has been configured to ship improved gas consumption and refinement at part-throttle. The opposite is a full-load cam designed for enhanced output by way of extra aggressive throttle openings, which delivers longer period inlet valve openings. By way of an axial shift back and forth of every inlet camshaft, the paired inlet valves on every cylinder are activated by way of their finger followers by both the partial-load or the full-load cam, relying on engine rpm, gear chosen, and throttle load, with that axial shift affected by way of a pin that’s electronically actuated by way of the ECU, working the shift gate on the camshaft.
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Which means because the throttle opens wider by way of the twistgrip, the digital actuator lifts a pin to lock into the inlet camshaft gate. The rotation of the camshaft then permits the pin to attract the camshaft sideways, to deliver the extra aggressive longer period cam lobes into line with the valves. When the throttle is closed, the camshaft is pulled again throughout the cylinder head, and onto the much less aggressive smaller profile cam employed for regular use. Both means, the change is virtually instantaneous, taking simply 10 milliseconds to perform. That’s lower than the blink of an eye fixed.
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Moreover, the variable configuration of the cam geometry additionally allows a variation within the inlet valves’ stroke. Whereas the full-load cam gives most valve stroke, the partial-load cam delivers lowered stroke. There’s additionally a phased differential opening between the left and right-hand inlet valves in every cylinder, by way of each stroke and angular place. This phased shift implies that the 2 inlet valves are opened a differential quantity by way of elevate – i.e. yet one more than the opposite – and on a time-staggered foundation. This helps create further swirl for the incoming cost of air and gas, and thus higher agitation of the combination because it flows into the combustion chamber. This leads to each improved combustion – so, an even bigger bang – in addition to extra full burning of the gas, thus making certain lowered emissions and a claimed as much as 4% decrease gas consumption. And the smoother supply and broader unfold of torque additionally reduces the propensity of the bike to drag wheelies, as there isn’t such a fierce spike within the torque supply. However the greatest benefit of the ShiftCam Expertise in dynamic phrases is the noticeable enhance in ridability in each regular highway circumstances, and in excessive efficiency use on the racetrack, because of the considerably enhanced midrange energy, and the large unfold of torque it delivers.
Now, in pursuit of higher efficiency at greater revs, BMW has transposed the M1000RR’s airbox and cylinder head to the amount manufacturing Euro 5-compliant 2023 S1000RR, although its new consumption porting is solid in right here fairly than milled out, as on the M RR. As earlier than, the uprated S RR engine is fitted with a variable-length consumption system whereby the peak of the inlet trumpets atop the 48mm throttle our bodies that at the moment are shorter total for 2023, is additional lowered by way of an electrical servomotor mounted on the airbox working at 11,900 rpm (a hefty 2,900 revs greater than earlier than) to boost high finish efficiency at the side of the ShiftCam Expertise system. This has allowed BMW to lift energy by 3bhp to 207bhp at 13,750 rpm, 250 revs greater than beforehand, with peak torque unchanged at 83 lb-ft, however delivered 500 rpm greater at 11,000 rpm.
Furthermore, the throttle linkage working the 4 throttle butterflies is cut up into two, with the 2 left-hand throttle our bodies operated individually than the 2 right-hand ones. This has allowed BMW race groups to programme the 2 pairs to work individually at decrease rpm to provide the identical advantages as a twin-cylinder motor by way of traction and drive exiting a flip, earlier than all 4 resume working in unison at greater revs. This function resulted from BMW deciding to not produce a big-bang Yamaha R1-type crossplane-crank engine, however as an alternative to make use of its decade-long expertise of a extra conventional 180° screamer motor in constructing a greater such design. BMW engineers admit they did take into account a big-bang design on the very outset of the event programme for the 2019 revamp, and likewise briefly thought of constructing a V4. However they determined in opposition to each of those early on, not solely as a result of they didn’t need to be seen to repeat anybody else, but in addition as a result of they’d a lot expertise particularly from Superbike and Endurance racing in creating the extra traditional-type four-cylinder in-line engine, so that they determined to focus on constructing a fair higher one – as in, play to your strengths. Look how that benefitted Kawasaki and Jonathan Rea….
BMW’s option to mount accent carbo-fiber wheels makes it nearly unattainable to guage how the bike will carry out in inventory trim due to the faster steering and higher acceleration allowed by the decrease rotational mass.
To enrich the additional efficiency greater up the rev scale, the 2023 S1000RR’s total gearing has been lowered by way of a 1T greater rear sprocket, up from 45T to 46T, so you possibly can dial up the revs sooner to entry that additional energy and the meaty unfold of torque. That’s all in pursuit of improved rear finish grip and enhanced acceleration, albeit at the price of a slight lower in homologated (as in, confirmed) high velocity from 190mph to 188mph. Pull your elbows in and also you may discover the lacking mph! To seek out out what the end result was prefer to experience on monitor (sadly, there was no alternative to take action on the road), I went to the BMW press launch on the 2.67mi Almeria circuit within the southeast nook of Spain, full with its six-tenths of a mile-long again straight and plenty of tough turns, some with blind apexes. It was very best for assessing the street-legal BMW. An vital notice: every take a look at bike was fitted for the launch with non-obligatory carbon wheels [a move which radically alters the bike’s handling – EB] from BMW’s aftermarket catalog, shod with sticky Bridgestone twin compound V02 slicks – the rear a narrower 190/55-17 fitment, fairly than the 200-section tires on its Italian rivals.
Useful winglets and a versatile chassis
Additionally derived from the M-series mannequin is the obvious distinction between new and previous within the type of the winglets fitted to the 2023 S1000RR’s subtly restyled bodywork. These aren’t only a styling function; they’re claimed to generate as much as 16.8 lbs of downforce at 124mph, rising to 37.7 lbs at 186mph. Their look is probably not to everybody’s style on such a slinky-looking machine because the ’23 S1000RR, however perform has it over type each time on this class of bike. They assist scale back wheelies with out TC being known as upon to take action on the expense of lowered torque and energy being transmitted to the rear tire. This implies improved acceleration, in addition to enhanced entrance tire grip throughout braking and cornering. Sure the winglets inevitably add drag, the engine’s additional energy largely compensates for that. As well as, BMW has helped counter that drag additional by way of a taller, reshaped windshield that helps enhance the stream across the rider’s helmet, and there’s an extra aerodynamic enchancment achieved by partitioning off the decrease triple clamp. There’s a alternative of three colours for the bodywork – Black metallic, Pink non-metallic and BMW’s trademark White racing livery, with the worth the identical for all three variants at $17,895, in comparison with $32,495 in 2022 for the M1000RR. What a cut price! Nicely, till you begin ticking bins on the intensive listing of equipment…
That shark-eyed bodywork with redesigned entrance and rear sections and a shorter quantity plate holder envelops a revamped model of the RR’s present aluminum bridge body. This contains a welded-up meeting of 4 separate gravity die-cast components embracing the engine – nonetheless inclined ahead by 32° as earlier than – appearing as a completely load-bearing chassis part. Nevertheless, with the purpose of optimizing lateral flex with the intention to present higher suggestions to the rider of what the wheels are doing, this so-called ‘Flex Body’ has now been given a number of cutouts in its flanks to advertise mentioned flex. This can be a technique courting again to the works Honda RVF750 Suzuka 8-Hours Endurance racers of the Eighties, which first manifested itself outdoors of Japan within the factory-supported Rumi Honda RC30 raced within the 1990 World Superbike collection by Baldassarre Monti. This was the primary aluminum beam-framed Superbike to discover this system of selling flex in pursuit of the identical rider-friendly ‘talkback’ which Ducati V-twin riders have at all times loved (till lately!) with their tubular metal chassis, and the 2023 S1000RR is the most recent such bike to profit from this technique.
Moreover, the brand new RR chassis has barely much less aggressive steering geometry derived from the M RR, with the steering head angle for the fully-adjustable 45mm closed-cartridge Marzocchi fork delivering 4.7 in. of wheel journey kicked out half a level to 23.6° and the offset lowered by 3mm, leading to path rising from 3.7 in. to three.9 in. On the similar time, the wheelbase has been prolonged to 57.4 in. (from 56.7 in”, so three-quarters of an inch longer) by way of an all-new gravity diecast one-piece twin-sided swingarm with underslung sections, with the rear wheel made simpler to put in and take away for monitor days or races, because of the brake pads and brake anchor plate now being chamfered, plus the revised mounting of the proper aspect rear axle bushes, to forestall loss. One other transplant from the M RR is the adjustability of the swingarm pivot level (vary unknown) and the peak of the rear Marzocchi shock, once more ten-click absolutely adjustable and giving 4.6 in. of rear axle journey. My take a look at bike got here fitted with the non-obligatory DDC (Dynamic Damping Management) package deal, which delivers semi-active digital damping adjustment entrance and rear, whose settings are altered to swimsuit the chosen driving mode.
Electronics embody Brake Slide Help
The ’23 S1000RR has an developed electronics package deal with a RBW (Trip by Wire) throttle providing 5 totally different driving modes – Rain, Street, Dynamic and Race, plus Race Professional which additionally will get three ranges of throttle response and engine braking choices. These, mixed with a triple-axis, six-direction Continental IMU, management the array of rider aids, most of them switchable: Cornering ABS Professional, multi-stage DTC, engine braking adjustment, anti-wheelie, hill begin help, launch management, cruise management, a lap timer, three-stage heated grips, a pit lane velocity limiter, engine braking torque management (MSR) and the Dynamic Brake Management (DBC), which BMW says ‘gives further help throughout emergency braking’ – i.e. stops stoppies!
As well as, BMW engineers are pleased with their Brake Slide Help (BSA) system that, must you be sufficiently courageous in addition to professional sufficient to take action, permits you to again right into a flip by limiting rear brake stress and rear wheel spin to attain a managed, predetermined drift angle, earlier than the lean-sensitive ABS cuts in. This new system relies on steering angle sensors mounted on the bike for the primary time, which allow you to set a particular drift angle for so-called braking drifts whereas sliding into turns at a maintained velocity. When the preset steering angle is reached, TC intervenes, reduces spin, and stabilizes the bike.
Additionally included are a light-weight lithium battery, USB charging port, a really neat GoPro holder, and a brand new wiring loom to make eradicating the taillights and quantity plate holder for monitor days simpler. Claimed kerb weight for the brand new bike stays unchanged at 434 lbs with all liquids, together with a full 4.4-gallon gas tank (so round 392 lbs dry) for the usual bike, 431 with the non-obligatory Race Package deal which options cast aluminum wheels as an alternative of the inventory solid ones, and 426 lbs with the M Package deal choice, which incorporates the carbon wheels and seat fitted to the take a look at bike. This additionally carried the Efficiency Package deal consisting of an Akrapovič slip-on exhaust and the Endurance chain developed by BMW’s manufacturing facility World Endurance group. Stopping the general end result are the identical twin 320mm Brembo entrance discs as earlier than, however these at the moment are gripped by new Nissin monoblock four-piston calipers, changing the Hayes stoppers launched in 2019 as a startling substitution for the Brembos used beforehand. There’s a 220mm rear disc with twin-pot caliper, and Continental’s cornering ABS is retained, with requisite upgrades.
Monitor efficiency
Having digested this listing of upgrades to what was already a fairly dam’ good bike, I couldn’t wait to get out on monitor at Almeria to search out out if, in making an attempt to make it even higher, BMW had chucked the newborn out with the bathwater. Hopping aboard allayed one concern – this is identical two-wheeled conundrum as earlier than, within the form of a motorcycle that, regardless of the longer wheelbase and further bits of bodywork, feels about the identical dimension as a 600 Supersport, whereas delivering the insanely quick efficiency of a TT-winning one-liter Superbike. The body is surprisingly slim, particularly on the stepover level behind the gas tank, regardless of the motor’s in-line 4 configuration, BMW says it’s solely 20mm wider than a V4 engined bike of equal capability in that space. This makes it simpler so that you can grasp the gas tank created from three welded-together aluminum sections along with your knees, but in addition offers you room to maneuver concerning the bike, as needed.
The clip-on ‘bars are unfold additional out than on the earlier bike, including to the identical inconceivable sense of spaciousness for what within the metallic is a a lot smaller bike than it appears to be in pictures, and the taller, reshaped new display helps make you are feeling such as you’re sitting inside the BMW fairly than atop it. It additionally offers wonderful safety for a 5’10” rider down Almeria’s essential straight, with the super-legible 6½in. TFT sprint’s digital speedo studying simply upwards of 170 mph. Sure, I do know – I ought to have pulled these elbows in higher. However there doesn’t appear to be as a lot weight in your wrists and shoulders as I keep in mind from the previous bike, so this new one will presumably be a fair higher experience for the longer haul. Plus the additional flex which BMW engineers have dialed into the brand new body design is presumably one purpose it feels extra responsive, and offers improved suggestions from the entrance finish, particularly when making an attempt to maintain up flip velocity within the tough triple-apex right-hander behind the Almeria monitor.
There, the primary a part of the flip taken as you crest a small hill is blind, so you must be super-precise in selecting your entry level, and though I’ve been driving at Almeria ever because it opened within the late-‘90s, and have examined every thing from manufacturing facility 500GP and World Superbike racers there right down to (in capability, not as a problem!) Jack Miller’s Moto3 KTM, it nonetheless at all times takes me time to get dialed in once more due to the hidden apexes, and this take a look at was no exception. However the BMW was an ideal companion for doing this, as a result of regardless of having that massive high finish efficiency and thrilling acceleration, it’s additionally amazingly forgiving when your reminiscence betrays you, otherwise you get seduced into considering you’ve received this circuit licked by having accomplished the final collection of corners fairly nicely. This can be a bike that’s simpler than ever to go quick on – however can even pardon your inevitable overconfidence errors in a means that’s nearly uncanny.
So, whenever you get over-ambitious along with your flip velocity and must again off the throttle getting into a bend at the price of lacking your apex and drifting large – you suppose – the BMW’s electronics take over and shut the nook entry for you, so that you just’re again the place you must have been within the first place, however in your extra of ambition. Like I mentioned – uncanny. Identical factor braking from someplace round 170 mph on the finish of the half-mile-long essential straight, right into a second-gear 90° right-hander. The entire stability delivered by the engine braking program as you max out your late-braking expertise not solely makes it appear every lap as in the event you may have hit that fabulously efficient Nissin/Brembo brake cocktail just a bit bit later – however then whenever you do inevitably overdo issues and go previous your turn-in level whereas making an attempt unsuccessfully to emulate Toprak Razgatliogu, the BMW’s digital program to regulate stoppies kicks in because it permits you to recuperate, cease, flip in, and proceed as regular, having misplaced barely any time in any respect. That’s uncanny – once more.
It appears utterly inconceivable to say this of a 200bhp-plus bike, however the overwhelming impression you get from driving this new BMW is how straightforward it’s to take action in one thing approaching anger. The ShiftCam perform, the sticky dual-compound Bridgestone rear slick, the lean-sensitive Continental TC and that shorter total gearing mix with the engine’s accessible energy supply even in Race Professional mode to ship actually thrilling acceleration whenever you wind the throttle large open as you click on by the gears on the faultless wide-open two-way quickshifter – however with out your having to even graze the rear brake lever along with your proper toe to strangle a time-wasting wheelie at start: the BMW’s thought forward and accomplished it for you.
Likewise the improbably delicate, exact steering that this 396-lb-plus bike delivers in plotting a path by that triple-axis flip, when you play the throttle forwards and backwards in trying to find the proper velocity in every a part of the bend. Having lastly re-learnt the proper line and dialed within the correct cornering velocity, the satisfaction you get from fixing that dynamic puzzle accurately and repeating it lap after lap is one thing any monitor day rider, not to mention a racer, will know brings enormous satisfaction – and this BMW will play an important function in serving to you obtain that. What a beautiful bike it’s to experience exhausting, with such well-mapped, responsive fueling that allows you to wind the throttle open progressively because the nook you’re taking opens up, feeling the rear Bridgestone hook up beneath you as you achieve this. Even riders who’re comparatively new to this stage of efficiency will discover this to be a motorcycle that breeds self-confidence, as they be taught step-by-step find out how to use that 200bhp-plus engine efficiency that’s delivered to them so accessibly, with no trace of intimidation.
OK, I hear you say – however what concerning the BSA Slide Management system? Does it work? Nicely, sorry readers, however I’ll gladly come clean with the truth that I can’t slide a rear Bridgestone slick at will in the best way I’m certain Scott Redding or Michael van der Mark would have accomplished to check the system – however solely after switching off the TC, as a result of you possibly can’t powerslide the again wheel until the tyre has misplaced grip, and is spinning up. I feel the perfect factor for the remainder of us regular people is to be glad that the system is there as a security web, in case you make a mistake. In fact, sticking a rider-friendly treaded tire and making an attempt to use the BMW’s BSA could be one other matter, and I’ll admit I’m curious sufficient to need to learn how it really works – so let’s see what it’s like on a British spring day at a monitor like Donington Park, with a number of runoff!
A quick end
Whether or not it’s due to having extra energy, revamped electronics, stronger brakes, a extra responsive, extra flexy chassis with revised geometry that talks proper again to you, and winglets straight from the MotoGP paddock, the brand new 2023 S1000RR has a stage of efficiency and a level of digital help which places it on an entire new stage in comparison with its 2019 predecessor, the final time that BMW reinvented its Superbike mannequin. This new BMW makes going what every of us considers to be quick by our personal private requirements, straightforward. It’s a vastly succesful superbike for each stage of driving experience, from 600/765/950 Supersport graduates to hardened Superbike racing professionals, however with a fair greater security margin in-built. My Almeria expertise was only a getting-to-know you taster: now I need a longer, extra intimate relationship!
| 2023 BMW S1000RR | |
|---|---|
| Engine | Liquid-cooled inline 4-cylinder |
| Capability | 999cc |
| Bore x stroke | 80.0 mm x 49.7 mm |
| Energy | 207 hp at 13,750 rpm (claimed) |
| Torque | 83 lb-ft. at 11,000 rpm (claimed) |
| Max. engine velocity | 14,600 rpm |
| Compression ratio | 13.3:1 |
| Gasoline | Energy rated at 98 RON. 95-98 RON knock management |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, valve actuation by way of single cam followers, BMW ShiftCam variable consumption cam management |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Consumption / Exhaust valve diameter | 33.5 mm / 27.2 mm |
| Throttle physique diameter | 48 mm |
| Engine management | BMS-0 |
| Emission management | Closed-loop three-way catalytic converter |
| Alternator | 493 watts |
| Battery | M light-weight battery 12v / 5 Ah |
| Headlamp | LED free-form twin low-beam, LED free-form high-beam |
| Starter | 0.8 kW |
| Clutch | Self-reinforcing multi-plate anti-hopping oil bathtub clutch, mechanically operated |
| Gearbox | 6-speed, constant-mesh |
| Main ratio | 1.652 |
| Transmission gear ratios I | 2.647 |
| II | 2.091 |
| III | 1.727 |
| IV | 1.5 |
| V | 1.36 |
| VI | 1.261 |
| Secondary ratio | 2.706 |
| Rear wheel drive sort | Chain |
| Body development sort | Aluminum composite bridge body, engine self-supporting |
| Entrance suspension | Upside-down telescopic fork, slide tube diameter 45 mm, spring preload, compression and rebound stage adjustable, DDC choice: damping electronically adjustable |
| Rear suspension | Aluminum underslung double-sided swingingarm with central spring strut, spring preload, adjustable compression and rebound stage ,DDC choice: damping electronically adjustable |
| Suspension journey entrance / rear | 4.7 / 4.6 |
| Wheel castor | 3.8 |
| Steering head angle | 23.6 |
| Brakes, entrance | Twin M 320 mm / 12.6-inch floating disks; 4-piston fastened calipers |
| Brakes, rear | Single 220 mm / 8.7-inch, two-piston fastened caliper |
| ABS | BMW Motorrad ABS Professional, partially integral, disengageable |
| Traction management | BMW Motorrad DTC |
| Wheels | Normal: Die-castaluminum wheels M aluminum-forged wheels as a part of Race Package deal choice M Carbon wheels as a part of M Package deal choice |
| Wheels, entrance / rear | 3.50 x 17 / 6.00 x 17 |
| Tires, entrance / rear | 120/70 ZR17 / 200/55 ZR17 |
| Size | 81.6 inches |
| Width | 33.3 inches |
| Wheelbase | 57.4 inches |
| Seat peak | 32.4 inches |
| Curb weight | Normal: 434 kilos (claimed) Race: 431 kilos (claimed) M: 427 kilos (claimed) |
| Gasoline tank capability | 4.36 gallons |
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