|
V4 AND ALL APRILIA NOVELTIES
21 November 2006 - Aprilia
THE COMMENTS FROM THE PRESS
The sector''s thoughts on the new products presented in Milan, straight off the press.
V4 RACE MACHINE
Race Machine, even the battle-worthy name is in sync with Aprilia''s goal to again throw themselves into the ''return to racing'' project. Created entirely within the Aprilia R&D department, the Race Machine is the most powerful engine created by the production house from Noale, a compact and technological 4-cylinder V65° that is capable of allocating more than 210 CV (154 kW) in the SBK configuration.
The decision to go with a tight V was anything but casual. Aprilia is an expert with this type of architecture. Their knowledge was developed and sharpened over the years with their sporting bike, the RSV 1000 (the latest version is the RSV 1000 Factory ''Magnesium''), that flaunts a twin V60°. An advantage in terms of experience that will only help in racing, especially with the design and development of ad-hoc mechanics that are effective immediately. In fact, one of the most evident advantages of the V4 is the possibility of an engine that is transversely compact (almost as tight as a twin) and packed with contents longitudinally.
The Race Machine makes wide use of electronics and Ride by Wire technology. For example, all direct links between the gas command and throttle are gone, carried out by two servomotors (one for each side) and managed independently of the Magneti Marelli central-line. It thus allows for greater control of the power system while potentially engaging it for control of the trajectory.
Other characteristics of the V4 1000 Race Machine are the integration of the two sides of the cylinders in the partial, upper casing of the engine, the extractable six-gear shift, the wet sump lubrication, and the multi-disc friction bathed in oil with an efficient anti-skipping system.
MOTONLINE
Innovative solutions, highly-esteemed materials, and purely racing technology. The new Aprilia ''Race Machine'' engine presents itself with incredible credentials. A completely particular architecture that makes it utterly different than all the other gigantic series engines around the world. The great Aprilia mechanical knowledge, paired with tight V engines, could not and should not be wasted. For this reason, after an infinite number of tests, the V65° architecture was chosen, very similar to what Aprilia had been using in its twin engines, allowing them to take advantage of their mechanical know-how that has been gathered throughout the years.
The tight V architecture truly allows for the creation of an packed longitudinal engine that is incredibly reduced, favoring the centralization of mass and realization of extremely well-performing mechanics (compact wheelbases, long swingarm). Moreover, a 4-cylinder with this configuration ends up tight as a twin and allows the projectors to use major bores with all the advantage of improved breathing while reaching higher regimes (13,500 completed laps) without penalizing the transverse pack that is fundamental for aerodynamics.
MOTOCORSE
No one expected that the engine would have been up and running in time for Eicma with riders and test riders testing it out, yet it seems like the V4 65° got off to a good start. We are already talking about 180 cv or less (that will be more than 200 in the version that will compete in the Superbike) and a regime with 13,500 laps completed.
The base also integrates the cylinders and the extractable gear-shift, like the competition. The slightly more open V serves to better pass the drums and the better-performing shafts allow for more optimized fluid dynamics.
The new products, obviously, do not end here. Those who are familiar with mechanics will certainly have noticed the curious distribution that includes both chains and gears but, in following with the theme of everything unusual, the chain prompts the breathing camshaft that then triggers the exhaust (with a couple of gears posted between the cylinders). A new solution that has allowed the tests to notably improve. Moreover, the engine is truly compact and smaller than the twin, allowing also for the construction of more compact mechanics with a longer swingarm. With such architecture, Aprilia resolved the lingering vibration problem by mounting a countershaft.
MOTORBOX
SL 750 SHIVER
Those with a good memory will certainly remember the name Shiver, linked to the first twin constructed by Aprilia. It remains a naked but is very different than it was. A name that Aprilia evidently kept locked away was in fact waiting to be revitalized at the right moment. That moment has arrived for this 750cc nude that the Noale production house thrust at the market, upsetting the half-cylinder naked sector.
The Shiver is compact, well designed, refined, and extremely slim in the center. It is brilliant not only because of the design but for the technique that was used, certainly throwing a curve ball at the competition in the 2 and 4-cylinders. The twin V90° engine plays around with the 4 cylinders. Accredited for 95 cvs and enjoying a torque of 81 Nm at only 7,000 laps, the data speaks highly of the propeller that dominates it like the torque, doing more than greatly closing in on the performance of a 4-cylinder.
MOTORBOX
This time we are on board! Aprilia has returned and made itself the topic of conversation not only for their scooters, maxi sport Tuono and RSV 1000, and the multi-purpose Pegaso, but especially for their ability to propose something new, technically innovative, and particularly attractive. It is the new SL 750 Shiver that is truly beautiful: muscular, extremely dynamic with all of its Aprilia-styled edges (the cut of the tank that aggressively points towards the pavement, similar to the Mana that was presented as a prototype at the 2001 MotorShow), incredibly clean, without cavities, cases, or shields of any type. It has its sights set on an aesthetic that flaunts a front that is dominated by a Japanese-styled headlight and wonderful mechanics that are as refined as they are innovative.
The Shiver''s engine, in fact, is a new 750 twin with a longitudinal V90° and bi-shaft distribution with frontal cams and four valves per cylinder, making the Venetian naked one of the most powerful 7.5 ''twins'' on the market (95cvs at 9,000 revolutions and 81 Nm with 7,000 max torque). It is also the first to boast of the Ride by Wire technology, a cord-free electronic series accelerator where the central-line operates the opening of butterfly bodies while keeping the numerous parameters in mind, among them the engine regime, the position of the gear shift, the opening of the gas handles, and the engine temperature.
MOTONLINE
NA 850 MANA
Friction? Its absence is justified since the CVT transmission, managed by the engine when in the sequentially functioning mode, takes care of everything. The promised performance is optimal since the Mana promises to be the absolute fastest bike, traffic light to traffic light. A sporting motorcycle, therefore, that has grit that is highlighted by its look and components. With a trellis frame, lateral shocks, aluminum swingarm, fork with reversed stems, radial calipers, and rims with divided spokes, the Mana does everything to appear dynamic and sporty while keeping an eye on practicality.
MOTORBOX
Two in one. It isn''t the latest offer from a supermarket, but the idea that takes shape in the new Aprilia NA 850 MANA, a crossover that is capable of uniting the typical practicality of a scooter with a stronger concept of sport and a riding-ease that Aprilia has spoiled us with and should not renounce.
Thus disappears the friction lever and the selection buttons appear (see photo below) for the manual mode and three separate mappings of the central-line to better adapt the behavior of the engine in relation to the different riding styles and conditions: Touring if you are opting for a quick but soft allocation, Sport for the riding circuits where you need something more substantial and for medium regimes, and Rain in case of precipitation and an untrustworthy asphalt.
MOTONLINE
Mana is being called the most revolutionary bike of the moment: the first to propose a completely automatic transmission. A computer takes care of the gear shift or, if you select the alternative manual/sequential mode, it is the rider who controls it with the touch of a button on the handlebars or a tap on the classic pedal.
The revolutionary aspects of the Mana however, do not finish here. The tank was moved under the seat and in its place is an enormous compartment that can hold an entire helmet. A racing frame, a twin V engine with 850ccs and 75 horsepower, and a price tag that is under Euro 10,000 complete the picture.
REPUBBLICA MOTORI
The Aprilia NA 850 Mana currently represents the maximum technological evolution that has been applied to a motorbike. An audacious challenge that only the great technological capabilities of Aprilia are capable of tackling and winning. The Aprilia NA 850 Mana is a motorcycle without comparison on the international market, a truly advanced and unique project. It is capable of offering great satisfaction in any type of use, on an urban track or a more sporty one. A simple touch of a button on the handlebars and you enter into another world atop the Aprilia NA 850 Mana. Two cylinders, electronic injection supply, great torque, and an especially innovative transmission replacing the traditional mechanical gearshift. It is an engine that opens up new frontiers in motorcycle riding, even sporty. An engineering idea that Aprilia developed by taking advantage of all of their technical know-how garnered by their best engineers and elevated abilities of their Research and Development department.
MOTORSPORT
SCARABEO 250
We left them with high wheels and two 16'' tyres and now find them almost the same way, with 16'' in the front and 14'' in the back with tubeless tyres from the motorcycling section (110/70 in the back and 140/70 in the back) to make space for the new under-saddle area that can be opened with a remote control (and integrated with a small trunk that can hold up to 47 liters and a 50 tunnel bag), able to contain a jet helmet and other objects. Even the braking has been improved, thanks to the 260mm anterior disc with floating calipers with three small pistons and a 240mm posterior disc. A cut-off gas pump, a sensor-controlled kickstand, ice-warning indications, and control of the gas with a double-cavity complete with security. The content weight and short passage (1535mm), when combined with a steering angle of over 42°, offer manageability and a ride that is worthy of great aspirations. From the series come absolute exclusives, including the remote-controlled anti-theft system that protects against any attempt to remove the bike or any forcing of the under-saddle compartment by blocking the engine and central-line, setting off the alarm and brakes simultaneously.
MOTORINO.IT
The propeller is a modern, single-cylinder with 4 injection valves with liquid, electronic cooling injection with 244 cc, capable of allocating 21.2cvs (15.6 Kw) and a valid torque of 19 Nm, guaranteed to be fluid and enjoyable while in gear with a maximum speed of 130 km/hour. The high wheels are protagonists (16'''' in the front and 14''in the back) with tubeless tyres from the motorcycling section (110/70 in the back and 140/70 in the back) that guarantee a maximum grip on the road. The wide section of the tyres also assures valid aid to the suspension in absorbing impact and overall security in braking. While on the subject of braking, the Scarabeo 250 is equipped with a generous anterior disc of 260 mm with floating calipers with three small pistons while the posterior disc boasts of 240 mm. The contained weight (169 kg) and the short passage (1535 mm), combined with a steering angle of a solid 42°, offer great manageability and among the peculiarities is the enormous under-saddle storage space (34 liters) that can be opened with a remote (integrable with an optional small trunk up to 47 liters and a tunnel bag of 50). Lastly, from the series is the remote anti-theft system that protects against any attempt to remove the bike or force the under-saddle container by blocking the engine and central-line, setting off the alarm and brakes. With the arrival of this model, the Scarabeo line is now composed of 50 double-times, 50 4-times, 100, 125, 250, 400, and 500 (in the two new Nuovo Scarabeo versions, the Scarabeo GT).
REPUBBLICA MOTORI MXV 450
First the Enduro, then the Supermotard, and now the Cross. With the new MXV 45.2, Aprilia returns to its old love, the Motocross (the first cross bike goes back to 1974). Yet they do it with the usual desire to innovate and make their twin count in all areas where the bikes should excel. In worlds where the single-cylinder tradition has extremely strong and deep roots that are tough to unearth, Aprilia is slowly making strides that need to be brought to light. The last frontier is the spectacular world of the motocross where the revolutionary V77° twin from Noale will certainly be able to hold its own just like it did when it shocked the world and won the international S2 (the category reserved to bikes up to 450 ccs). This is a courageous undertaking that pits the MXV 45.2 as the first twin in the Motocross against heavily-anchored and experienced competition such as Honda and Yamaha (this year the winner of the international MX2 with our Tony Cairoli).
Esthetically, the MXV 45.2 is very similar to its Enduro sister, extreme in its angular lines and clean and light physique, but also in the mechanics that the Aprilia engineers worked solidly to adapt to the powerful twin for use on cross tracks. The electronics were completely changed to fit the cross, such as the exhaust that remains under the saddle but is revised in the design of the drums and finalized for searching for the best allocation, always ready for low regimes but also more fluid and light when accelerating. With the intent of improving its racing performance, the radiator passes from the double-configuration of the RSV and SXV to the frontal ''single-block'' tradition (like our road bikes) for an improved cooling surface.
MOTONLINE
www.aprilia.com
More News
For November 2006
From Aprilia
For Trailers
Biker247.com Home Page
|
