MONDAY, MARCH 7: Well, not quite. The $77,000 limited-edition MV Agusta F4 1000 Tamburini will be displayed to the Australian public for the first at round two of the 2005 World Superbike Championship from April 1-3. The machine inspired by legendary designer Massimo Tamburini produces 127kW (173 horsepower), compared to 122kW (166 horsepower) from the standard MV Agusta F4 1000, which sells for AUD$32,990. The MV Agusta will indeed be rerpresented at most of the rounds of the World Superbikes this year as the 2005 Superstock FIM Cup is held in conjunction with the European rounds of the championship and four MV Agustas will be among the 33 starters in the championship this year.
The Superstock FIM 1000 races are perhaps a better indication of true sporting ability than the Superbike races - last year Yamaha dominated the event winning seven of the nine pole psitions, eight of the nine races in the series and taking 22 of the 27 podium positions during the series. In the previous three years the Superstock races were dominated by Suzuki.
With such sporting capabilities, the MV Agusta will be interesting to watch throughout 2005 - with the greatest racing heritage of any motorcycle manufacturer, it would be wonderful to see the marque enjoy success on the racetrack again.
The models entered for the Superstock races are not as rare as the Tamburini though.
"This is one of the world's most expensive and exotic motorcycles, with incredible engine performance, plus lots of magnesium and carbon fibre bits," said Paul Feeney, Managing Director of the PFG.
"Only 300 Tamburini models have been built worldwide and we're confident this bike will attract huge interest at Phillip Island, and in the market-place."
Feeney said the Gold Coast-based PFG was scheduled to take delivery of 10 Tamburini models from Italy this month, and they would be available from authorised MV Agusta dealers around Australia for a recommended retail price of AUD$77,000.
He said the Tamburini's four-cylinder engine produced 127kW (173-horsepower), compared to 122kW (166-horsepower) from the powerplant of the base-model MV Agusta F4 1000, which has a RRP of AUD$32,990.
Other additional features of the Tamburini model, compared to the F4 1000, include magnesium swing arm and frame plates, a carbon fibre kit comprising air box, air ducts, tail fairing, front mudguard, side panels, and upper and lower chain guards, plus special graphics, an instrument panel with stopwatch, and a gold plate on the steering head with serial number.
Feeney said the engine performance was enhanced by the revolutionary Torque Shift System (TSS), based on variable intake manifold geometry being used for the first time in a mass-produced motorcycle.
"This provides immediate engine response from low revs and maximum torque at about 1,000-rpm lower than on the standard F4 1000," he said.
Suspension comprises 50mm Marzocchi forks with titanium nitride anti-friction treatment, and a Sachs Racing shock absorber. The Nissin front brakes have double floating disc with aluminium flange, 310mm diameter, six-piston caliper.
Other MV Agusta models being displayed by the PFG at the Motorcycle Expo at Phillip Island include the F4 1000 Ago (AUD$52,000), the F4 Brutale S (AUD$24,990), and the F4 1000.