GWM Souo Flat-Eight Cruiser Spotted Testing

Great Wall Motors (GWM)-owned Souo made quite the statement at the Beijing International Motorcycle Exhibition earlier this year when it unveiled its halo products S2000GL and S2000ST tourers. What made it all the more impactful was that neither of the bikes were concept models, and both would hit production with that massive 2-litre flat-eight engine. 

Now it seems that both these models will be preceded by a cruiser (unlike the tourer S2000 duo) based on the same insane engine, and production prototypes have already hit the roads of China for testing purposes. 

Unlike the Souo S2000ST and S2000GT, both of which look set to take on the Honda Gold Wing Tour — the GWM Souo cruiser looked more on the lines of the Honda F6C and Rune. The front section especially is reminiscent of the Rune, while the rear end with the cut-off fender looks like it has been directly lifted from the design pages of F6C. The Rune’s distinctive oversized, slash-cut exhaust design can also be spotted here. But unlike the Hondas, the Souo Flat-Eight cruiser goes for a conventional telescopic front suspension set-up, instead of the Hossack-styled fork suspension. 

Moreover, the latest trademarks from the company also seem to suggest that the Souo Flat-Eight cruiser will sport an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Along with that, it will also have cylinder-deactivation technology, which will shut off two of its cylinders when idling. 

Beyond that, further details like the power/torque output of the engine, kerb weight, etc will all be unveiled when GWM Souo launches the bike officially. Which initially will be limited to the Chinese market only. As for its launch date, we are yet to get one, but we expect Souo to launch the cruiser by the end of 2024 or early 2025.

(Source)