MV Agusta likely to enter India with hot Brutale 1090 superbike

On June 25, 2015, Autocar Professional had broken the news of Italian premium motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta entering the big bike market in India in association with the Kinetic Group.

Now, Kinetic World, a part of the Pune-based Kinetic Group of companies, has confirmed that it has signed a partnership with the Italian marque to introduce MV Agusta superbikes in India. 

According to Ajinkya Firodia, managing director, Kinetic World (pictured above), "We are really excited to be bringing these extraordinary machines to India, for riders who demand the utmost performance from their bikes. MV Agusta sportsbikes and superbikes are packed with high-end technology and race-derived electronics, which come together to offer an unbeatable blend of power, performance and handling.” 

PLOTTING A BRUTALE ASSAULT
Kinetic plans to set up a network of high-end showrooms in India’s top cities to retail the motorcycles and also provide aftersales service. The first model to be sold through this network could be MV Agusta's most powerful model, the Brutale 1090. This motorcycle comes with an in-line four, four-stroke engine with two maximum power configurations: 144bhp  at 10,300rpm and 158bhp at 11,900rpm. This motorcycle will be a Completely Built Up (CBU) model. Kinetic MV Agusta will subsequently launch models which will be imported through the Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) route.  

The current MV Agusta portfolio consists of a range of high-performance machines in the 800cc-1078cc engine category and delivering between 110 -212bhp. These include products like the Brutale, Rivale, Turismo Veloce, F3 and the range-topping F4. The bikes will be brought in as CBUs and SKDs, and prices are likely to range from Rs 12-33 lakh.

While the first launch is slated for November or a little earlier this year, Kinetic has announced that it could launch all of these motorcycles over the next 2-3 years. It is understood that a team of engineering experts is already working on homologation and other formalities, while the dealership network is being set up across India.

HOW THE MV AGUSTA MODELS STACK UP
MV Agusta’s website lists a total of 10 different bikes that are offered in 18 different models. Of this, according to the company’s official website, the Brutale family of motorcycles consists of eight models across three engine platforms – in-line three-cylinder 675cc, in-line three-cylinder 798cc and in-line four-cylinder 1078cc.

The 675cc and 798cc engines, which are touted to be the most advanced three-cylinder engines in the world, deploy counter rotating crankshaft technology that is used in MotoGP bikes and not in any other production bike around the world, says the company website. The in-line four-cylinder (1078cc) architecture, on the other hand, is associated with MV Agusta’s history.

The Brutale 1090, which is expected to be the first model to come to India, is powered by the 1078cc engine that uses double overhead camshaft with four valves per cylinder, arranged in a radical pattern – unique to the motorcycle industry. While the Brutale 1090 outputs a maximum power of 144bhp, its more aggressive sibling, the Brutale 1090RR, outputs a peak power of 158bhp and is equipped with a racetrack derived slipper clutch unit.

The Brutale series, which is said to have redefined the concept of naked performance bikes in global markets, along with the touring models (Stradale 800 and Turismo Veloce 800) is expected to ride into India over the next couple of years.

Interestingly, the three-cylinder, 798cc powertrain, which churns out a whopping 140bhp, weighs only 52kg and is built by the engineering team of this company that wanted to build an engine as light and as compact as possible.

MV Agusta’s website lists down the following models that are retailed under the Brutale umbrella:

Brutale Dragster 800RR – uses in-line three-cylinder, 798cc, 140bhp engine. This is the most powerful engine in its class and weighs only 52kg.

Brutale 800RR – shares the engine with the Brutale Dragster 800RR. These engines come with counter rotating crankshaft technology, and removable 6-speed gearbox – another MV Agusta exclusive feature.

Brutale Dragster 800 – in-line, three-cylinder 798cc engine that develops 125bhp.

Brutale 800 – in-line three-cylinder, 798cc engine as above.

Brutale 675 – in-line three-cylinder 675cc engine with counter rotating crankshaft, delivers 108bhp of peak power.

Brutale 1090 – in-line four-cylinder, 1078cc engine that delivers up to 144bhp.

Brutale 1090RR – in-line four-cylinder, 1078cc engine, delivers up to 158bhp.

Brutale Corsa – based on the 1090 model.