Aprilia RSV4

Aprilia have finally released the first official pics of the much-anticipated RSV4, the 999cc, V4-powered superbike with which Aprilia will go racing in WSBK next year, with Max Biaggi riding the bike.

Aprilia will build two versions of the RSV4 – the basic and Factory models – both of which will be powered by Aprilia’s all-new 65-degree, 999cc V4 engine. The new V4 is expected to make 180bhp in street trim (in a package that weighs 179kg dry), while the racing version will pump out around 210-220bhp.

Apart from that formidable V4 engine, the 2009 RSV4 gets aluminium twin-spar chassis with adjustable engine mounts, aluminium swingarm, fully adjustable Öhlins suspension, ride-by-wire throttle, three different fuel-injection maps (which vary the power delivery intensity), variable-length inlet tracts and electronic traction control. As is fairly evident, then, Aprilia intend to launch a no-holds-barred offensive against Japanese, German and other Italian litre-class machines with the new RSV4…

WSBK homologation requirements will mean that Aprilia will have to sell at least 250 units of the RSV4 by February 2009, and another 750 by June. Pricing isn’t likely to be for the faint of heart – expect to pay around US$30,000 for the base model, with the Factory version probably being closer to US$40,000!

And finally, here’s a bit of news for naked bike fans – Miguel Galluzzi, the man responsible for RSV4’s styling (he also designed the original Ducati Monster and the Cagiva Raptor), claims that a naked, streetfighter version of the RSV4 is also on the cards in the near future…



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