MV Agusta as a company have certainly had their ups and downs in recent decades where they lurched from one financial disaster to another but it seems new equity partners have finally brought stability to the Italian marquee. During those troubled times however the sheer beauty of the MV Agusta product has always shone through and prevented the long coveted brand name losing its luster to all admirers of two wheeled exotica.
This week in Milan MV Agusta unveiled the most beautiful and most expensive road going motorcycle money can buy. And despite its 100,000 Euro ($165,000 AUD) price tag I have no doubt that the limited edition run of 100 MV Agusta F4 CC machines will sell out even before they are produced.
The CC designation represents the initials of famous MV Managing Director Claudio Castiglioni. Previously the most sought after variant of the F4 model was the Tamburini model named after the designer of that machine. Massimo Tamburini also penned the design of the CC machine and has managed to outdo the machine that bore his own name in the exquisite detail touches that are virtually endless on the CC machine. 90% of the components on the CC special edition are made differently than other F4 models. The bottom of the massive 50mm forks, the triple clamps, steering damper, fluid reservoirs, levers, pegs and even the side stand are all individually crafted one-off items. No expense has been spared anywhere in the machine with no detail too small for a special touch of elegance. Even the protective mesh on the intake ducts can’t be made from any alloy or stainless, no for the CC even these superfluous items are lovingly crafted from titanium. As are the lower radiator and the famous four organ exhaust pipe layout.
Black is certainly the colour theme in the design and the lustrous paintwork contrasts nicely with elegantly woven sections of bare carbon-fibre in a way that only the Italians could execute so tastefully.
All show and no go?
Certainly not.
The CC machine is the most powerful machine ever made by the Italian company. The 998cc engine found in the F4 1000R models grows to 1,078cc thanks to a 3mm larger bore and each engine is hand finished to race level precision. The ports and engine passageways are polished and the cylinder head fitted with valves 2mm larger than the F4 1000R. Despite the pistons, valves and much of the associated hardware in the bigger engine they are all lighter than that found in the standard production models. All up, more than four kilograms are shaved from the weight of the donor engine. Larger 48mm throttle bodies feed the premium unleaded from the beautifully sculpted 21 litre tank. All these modifications result in MV Agusta claiming a double ton power figure that in the new metric way of doing things translates to 147Kw at 12,200rpm. The top speed of the machine also is nigh on the imperial double ton at 315km/h.
While there is plenty of go MV have also not skimped on the whoa hardware. Full racing specification monoblock four-piston Brembos clamp on 310mm discs. The gorgeous lightweight ‘Y’ spoked rims are also courtesy of Brembo.
Looking at the machine renders virtually every motorcyclist breathless and wondering what they can sell to come up with the hefty price of admission.
This week in Milan MV Agusta unveiled the most beautiful and most expensive road going motorcycle money can buy. And despite its 100,000 Euro ($165,000 AUD) price tag I have no doubt that the limited edition run of 100 MV Agusta F4 CC machines will sell out even before they are produced.
The CC designation represents the initials of famous MV Managing Director Claudio Castiglioni. Previously the most sought after variant of the F4 model was the Tamburini model named after the designer of that machine. Massimo Tamburini also penned the design of the CC machine and has managed to outdo the machine that bore his own name in the exquisite detail touches that are virtually endless on the CC machine. 90% of the components on the CC special edition are made differently than other F4 models. The bottom of the massive 50mm forks, the triple clamps, steering damper, fluid reservoirs, levers, pegs and even the side stand are all individually crafted one-off items. No expense has been spared anywhere in the machine with no detail too small for a special touch of elegance. Even the protective mesh on the intake ducts can’t be made from any alloy or stainless, no for the CC even these superfluous items are lovingly crafted from titanium. As are the lower radiator and the famous four organ exhaust pipe layout.
Black is certainly the colour theme in the design and the lustrous paintwork contrasts nicely with elegantly woven sections of bare carbon-fibre in a way that only the Italians could execute so tastefully.
All show and no go?
Certainly not.
The CC machine is the most powerful machine ever made by the Italian company. The 998cc engine found in the F4 1000R models grows to 1,078cc thanks to a 3mm larger bore and each engine is hand finished to race level precision. The ports and engine passageways are polished and the cylinder head fitted with valves 2mm larger than the F4 1000R. Despite the pistons, valves and much of the associated hardware in the bigger engine they are all lighter than that found in the standard production models. All up, more than four kilograms are shaved from the weight of the donor engine. Larger 48mm throttle bodies feed the premium unleaded from the beautifully sculpted 21 litre tank. All these modifications result in MV Agusta claiming a double ton power figure that in the new metric way of doing things translates to 147Kw at 12,200rpm. The top speed of the machine also is nigh on the imperial double ton at 315km/h.
While there is plenty of go MV have also not skimped on the whoa hardware. Full racing specification monoblock four-piston Brembos clamp on 310mm discs. The gorgeous lightweight ‘Y’ spoked rims are also courtesy of Brembo.
Looking at the machine renders virtually every motorcyclist breathless and wondering what they can sell to come up with the hefty price of admission.
