Ahead of its yearly gathering of MV Agusta enthusiasts (this year marking 60 years of the famous brand), the Italian company’s CEO Giovanni Castiglioni sat down with Moto.it to answer some questions about the state of the company, the upcoming MV Agusta Rivale, and the future MV Agutsa F4. While Castiglioni confirmed the name of the company’s upcoming street-bike-meets-enduro model, perhaps the most interesting insight was the company’s philosophy on the F4 design, and what the next model year could hold for one of the industry’s most iconic motorcycles.
Comparing MV Agusta’s design philosophy regarding the F4 to that of car-marker Porsche’s 911, Castiglioni hinted that the MV Agusta F4 will go largely unchanged for the 2013 model year, though the addition of a robust electronics package is expected, especially since the MV Agusta F3 already boasts the aid of traction control, and other rider aids. As the lines of the 911 have remained fairly constant, so too will the lines of the F4, says Castiglioni, who insists the bike will retain its under-tail exhaust layout in the long-run, as well as its overall aesthetic.
MV Agusta isn’t the only Italian motorcycle company to take a page out of the Porsche handbook, as Ducati has often compared its product line-up strategy to that of the German automaker’s. MV seems to be taking a different vein from Porsche though, as Castiglioni’s thought process seems to be centered around the F4 keeping its fairly timeless design, as has been done with the Porsche 911 sports car — an issue we have pointed to when chastising MV Agusta for its current very conservative approach to design.
This is a stark contrast to the intrepid steps Ducati has undertaken in expanding its superbike-centered brand, into a house of models that range the full motorcycling gamut. With the advent of the MV Agusta F3, it is unclear if MV Agusta is willing to make the same bold model choices that Ducati has done with the Hypermotard, Multistrada 1200, and Diavel. The designs of the F3 and Brutale 675 stay very true to their larger predecessors, and the new MV Agusta Rivale concept is expected to stay close to the Brutale design ethos, with perhaps only longer-travel suspension being added, as well as other parts that are better suited for an on-road/off-rod split-personality.
While we remain very cautious about MV Agusta’s long-term prospects, it is at least interesting to see how the Italian company is positioning itself for the future. An up-hill battle to be certain, we presume that even the most tepid of MV Agusta fans still cannot wait to see what Varese is going to bring to EICMA in this coming November.
Source: Moto.it
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