MV Agusta provides more details on new five-cylinder engine

Following its official debut at EICMA, MV Agusta have provided further details on their five-cylinder engine concept, with the modular platform undergoing further development at the MV R&D facility within their headquarters at Schiranna, Italy. 

The all-new, five-cylinder engine platform is labelled “quadrato”, and according to MV Agusta, represents the next step in performance, innovation and Italian engineering excellence. 

Developed to suit multiple motorcycle segments - from Supersport to Naked and Touring - this platform marks what MV Agusta describe as a bold step forward in their ongoing pursuit of perfection.

With a modular displacement range from 850cc to 1,150cc, the quadrato platform is claimed to be capable of delivering over 240hp (179+kW) at more than 16,000rpm, and up to 135Nm of torque at 8,500rpm, all while maintaining exceptional smoothness. 

Weighing less than 60kg, this five-cylinder powerplant combines lightness and balance with what MV Agusta call advanced electrification. Both the water pump and oil pump are electrically operated to enhance efficiency and responsiveness. 

MV Agusta also claim that the quadrato’s five-cylinder architecture offers inherent advantages over existing platforms. Thanks to its unique firing order, the engine achieves outstanding torque delivery and rideability without the need for variable valve timing. The result is both low-end usability and maximum power output. 

A distinctive crank layout, with a three-cylinder front crankshaft and twin-cylinder rear crankshaft in “U” configuration, delivers what’s said to be remarkable smoothness and reduced vibrations, resulting in unparalleled refinement and dynamic balance. 

The quadrato’s layout also makes it more compact - narrower than an inline-four and shorter than a V4, setting a new benchmark for compact, high-performance design. 

MV Agusta concludes by saying the debut of the five-cylinder engine is planned for a “highly anticipated model” that’s no longer in their line-up. That, along with the modularity of the platform, suggests a name, like GT, SS or Super America, rather than a numbered model from MV history.

Regardless, the bike is a long way away, with MV Agusta saying it’s years from being unveiled.