Radical ‘modular displacement’ donk to power a new MV platform
A U5 engine will power a future MV Agusta platform across multiple segments, from Supersport to Naked and Touring. The Italian company revealed a concept engine, saying it had ‘a modular displacement range’ from 850cc to 1150cc, capable of delivering over 180kW (240hp) at more than 16,000rpm and a beefy 135Nm of torque at 8500rpm.
MV’s CEO Luca Martin explained the internals to AMCN’s Alan Cathcart: “We basically have two engines coupled together – an inline three-cylinder in front, and a parallel-twin behind, to make it easier for the rider’s knees to be brought closer together. Each bank of cylinders has its own crankshaft, coupled via a central gear pinion, and are contra-rotating to cancel out the gyroscopic inertia of the rotating masses. This improves the bike’s handling, especially the steering, and also minimises vibration.”
Martin pointed out the so-called Cinque Cilindri is narrower than an inline-four and shorter than a V4.
“So it’s a very compact, high-performance design,” he said. “It weighs under 60kg, so it’s no heavier than the equivalent four-cylinder motor.
“But on top of this, we decided to try to save weight, as well as to simplify the design, by electrifying this engine as much as possible, in order also to reduce friction and increase performance significantly. So, that means the Cinque Cilindri is a standard internal combustion engine, but as is happening increasingly often right now in the car world, several ancillary functions like the water pump and the oil pump and other vital components are electrically rather than mechanically driven, with their own electric motors.”
While the project is in its early stages, with the engine not being run yet, Martin says it is a key part of MV’s future.
“This is definitely an all-new future MV Agusta engine platform for a future range.”
