Thread: Aprilia V4 Out in Public

Too bad Honda never built something like this...

OK...

Also interesting is how they are doing the double injectors. One injector is in the throttle body below the butterfly, the others are up in the airbox for high load situations. I don't know if other bikes have this...

Here is the very Italian press release...

Innovative solutions, advanced materials, and pure racing technology are the very DNA of Aprilia’s new Race Machine engine. It’s unusual layout makes it unique among the world’s production engines. Aprilia’s extensive know-how in chassis development for narrow V engines must certainly not be wasted. That is why, after so many tests and simulations, 65° was chosen as the ideal V angle for the new four cylinder. Because this angle is almost identical to that currently used by Aprilia for its V twins, Aprilia will be able to make full use of its tremendous wealth of experience in chassis design.
Choice of a narrow V configuration allows the engine to be incredibly compact lengthwise. This means that weight will remain concentrated around the centre of the bike. This in turn will allows chassis performance to be optimised (by keeping the wheelbase short and the swingarm long). Also, because a V four can be just as narrow as a twin, larger cylinder bores can be used to ensure better breathing and higher power output without increasing width and spoiling aerodynamics. (The new engine can rev to an amazing 13,500 rpm.)

By choosing a V angle slightly greater than 60°, the design team had enough space to optimise the path of the inlet tracts in order to maximise engine efficiency. The Aprilia Race Machine boasts more efficient fluid dynamics than any other narrow V engine.

The Race Machine design team used the most powerful calculation software currently available to rationalise engine layout. The valve gear is driven by an original system that allows incredibly compact cylinder heads to be used. A lateral cam chain, driving only the inlet cam, follows the ideal drive path for precision valve timing and extended chain life. A pair of gears in the centre of the cylinder row re-transmits drive to the exhaust cam. This solution has enabled Aprilia to develop a cylinder head that is amazingly compact in the exhaust area. Incredibly, the Race Machine is even more compact than the V60 Magnesium currently installed in the RSV.

A balancer shaft reduces primary vibration to a level inferior to that of a 90 degree V.

The cylinders are housed in a monoblock casting with integrated liners for maximum rigidity and constant efficiency.

All this advanced mechanical design is obviously complemented by futuristic electronics. The Aprilia Race Machine uses ride-by-wire technology with a wiring layout never previously seen on any motorcycle. For example, there is no direct connection between the throttle grip and the throttle butterflies. Butterfly action is controlled entirely by a Marelli engine management unit of the latest generation. Each row of cylinders has a dedicated servomotor that operates only its own throttle bodies. The opening of the four butterflies and consequently the amount of fuel aspirated can therefore be controlled independently for each row. This advanced solution opens up new horizons in high power engine management, providing almost infinite flexibility in the control of power output under all possible riding conditions. Even real traction control has become possible. After all, such a powerful engine deserves only the best management.
The fuel system uses two injectors per cylinder, one downstream of the throttle butterfly and one spray injector in the airbox that switches in under high load and high speed conditions.

Even the transmission has been designed using the most advanced criteria to ensure maximum performance. The Race Machine racing origins are clear from its cassette gearbox, wet sump, and wet slipper clutch.



THE RACE MACHINE ENGINE IN BRIEF

Displacement: 999 cc
Layout: 65° V4
Engine body: monoblock with liners integrated in crankcase
Power: more then 210 CV 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.

Originally Posted by navydevildoc

Also interesting is how they are doing the double injectors. One injector is in the throttle body below the butterfly, the others are up in the airbox for high load situations.

Pretty common nowadays. I think Ducati was the first in mainstream production.

Originally Posted by luvtolean

Pretty common nowadays. I think Ducati was the first in mainstream production.

Heh... I was just editing the comment above saying I didn't know if others did this. You beat me to it.

Originally Posted by navydevildoc

Also interesting is how they are doing the double injectors. One injector is in the throttle body below the butterfly, the others are up in the airbox for high load situations. I don't know if other bikes have this...

The 600RR had it in 2003.

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

The 600RR had it in 2003.

And Ural had it back in the early '70s.

I know the R7 had it, I dunno which year Duc had it first...

Originally Posted by evl_twn

Too bad Honda never built something like this...

Don't say that around here....some will act like you kicked them in the balls

Sign me up for one of these. I will wait until the production version is here before I decide which Italian company to give my 20k to. This engine looks badass! Gee A V4 powered Sportbike, wow who would have thunk it

You kids are too much!

Anyhow, what will the part availability be for these bikes? Thats one of the factors that put me into a used VFR instead of an Aprilia. Parent company Piaggo has had parts issues with scooters as well.

Well there is a new recall on my VFR but so far Honda has made good by me.