When Motorcycle Engine Meets Espresso Machine, You Get BMW’s Big Coffee Boxer

BMW’s motorcycles roar with precision and power, but their latest creation doesn’t hit the road—it brews your morning coffee. Meet the Big Coffee Boxer, an espresso machine built from the actual 1802cc two-cylinder boxer engine of the BMW R 18 motorcycle. Limited to just 80 units, this $9,185 beauty combines German engineering with Italian coffee expertise, courtesy of ECM Espresso Coffee Machines Manufacture GmbH.

Built from a real R 18 engine, the Big Coffee Boxer looks like a motorcycle engine, only it brews your coffee. Weighing 140 pounds, it sits on a metal stand with a floating drip tray, looking industrial chic. ECM’s team, led by Head Designer Tiziano Cutaia, worked hard to turn the solid aluminum block into a functional espresso machine without losing the engine’s shape. Chrome accents shine against the black casing and two analog pressure gauges add a retro touch, instead of digital screens like modern machines. A discreet shot counter displays brewing time so you know exactly when your espresso is ready.

Functionality matches the design. Dual independent boilers allow for simultaneous espresso shots and milk steaming, just like commercial machines. A 1.9-liter stainless-steel boiler powers the system and a quiet rotary pump delivers consistent pressure for maximum flavor extraction. You can choose from three brewing temperatures—248°F, 255.2°F or 262.4°F—to dial in your coffee. Pre-infusion can be turned on or off for customized brewing. Professional-grade steam and hot-water valves complete the package, making it as useful as it is beautiful.

BMW and ECM didn’t stop at the hardware, as they partnered with Munich-based coffee roaster Dallmayr to make sure the Big Coffee Boxer brews a coffee worthy of its engineering. The machine uses a specially developed E61 brew group, a holy grail in espresso circles, to extract rich, aromatic shots. Whether you’re pulling a single espresso or steaming milk for a latte, the system does both with precision. At €7,900 (about $8,600 to $9,185 with tax, depending on the region) it’s a lot of money, but high-end espresso machines can cost thousands, commercial ones can cost over $20,000.

ECM’s MD Michael Hauck calls it a labor of love, every detail from the engine to the finish was done with care. Only 80 will ever be made, so it’s a collector’s item for BMW fans, coffee snobs or anyone who loves the fusion of form and function. Available through select ECM dealers, it’s a showstopper whether on your kitchen counter or in a high end café.
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