It would be very interesting what kind of bike will be equipped with this engine: http://www.crash.net/motoring/review~tid~385~id~18261.htm Aprilia has announced that it's much anticipated V4 superbike engine is undergoing testing in various states of tune, ranging from a shoulder-dislocating 185bhp up to a totally bonkers 220bhp! Combined with the Italian company's plans to build a road-going superbike, this is a very exciting piece of news indeed. Many of the MotoGP prototype machines now use V4s for their favourable torque and power delivery characteristics, so it was only a matter of time before this technology was used for production road machines. What isn't clear however, is where Aprilia will decide to race the new bike. Despite claiming that they plan to campaign the bike as early as 2008, it's not yet known whether they'll race in Superbikes (along with several other newcomers - KTM, BMWand MV Augusta) or build a scaled-down 800cc motor and try to make their mark in the top flight. Durability testing will decide in what state of tune the motor arrives for road use, but should they go for the full-fat 220bhp it's a certainty that they will trump every other sports bike on the planet. STAT BOX Displacement: 999 cc Layout: 65° V4 Engine body: monoblock with liners integrated in crankcase Power: more then 220bhp in Superbike configuration. Valve gear: 4 valves per cylinder (titanium and Nymonic) operated directly by camshafts driven by a mixed chain/gear drive, with lateral chain and central gears. Fuel system: electronic fuel injection with two injectors and independent ride-by-wire control for each row of cylinders. Anti-vibration balancer shaft Maximum engine speed: 13,500 rpm Compression ratio: 12.5:1 Gearbox: six speed cassette type Clutch: multi-plate in oil bath with slipper system Electronics: Magneti Marelli ECU for ignition, injection and ride-by-wire management.
