MV Agusta 500 cc Twin May Be Developed By Benelli's Chinese Parent Firm

MV Agusta is reportedly working on a new 550 cc parallel-twin engine based on the Benelli 502's engine. While MV Agusta has an agreement with Chinese brand Loncin to produce 350-500 cc twin-cylinder entry models, that partnership has yet to take off, or produce any results. Apparently, MV Agusta is now looking at launching a new platform, a result of the Italian brand's partnership with the Qianjiang Group, the parent company of Benelli. According to latest reports, MV Agusta's technical team is working on a new 550 cc engine based on the Benelli 502 platform. In fact, one report quotes an unnamed source in MV Agusta as confirming that the new 550 cc engine will almost certainly be developed in China.

Also Read: MV Agusta Announces Documentary Film For Brand's 75th Anniversary

The engine from the Benelli Leoncino 500 is expected to be updated to make way for the 550 cc twin engine for MV Agusta

The Benelli engine, used in the Leoncino 500, as well as the Benelli TRK 502, is considered to be fairly light and compact, although it has a modest 48 bhp output. What it offers MV Agusta is a reliable and relatively low-cost option to enter the mid-size market. In parallel, MV Agusta is also working on its 800 cc triple cylinder engine to develop into a new 950 cc unit, which is rumoured to be used in the revived Cagiva Elefant adventure bike. MV Agusta has rights to the Cagiva name, another iconic Italian motorcycle name, and possibly the Elefant will come with the new 950 cc engine.

Also Read: MV Agusta May Resurrect Cagiva Elefant Name

I

The Cagiva Elefant name may be introduced for a new range of adventure bikes

n fact, the Elefant name has such strong brand equity, that MV Agusta is even said to be considering a separate sub-brand of Cagiva with a line of Elefant models. And one of those could even get the new 550 cc twin. All this is still conjecture and rumours at this point, and we don't have any concrete proof that MV Agusta will revive either the Cagiva, or the Elefant name, or both. But considering the new direction MV Agusta has got since the Sardarov family acquired full control of MV Agusta in 2019, and pumped in new investment, the future of MV Agusta looks promising.

(Source: Cycle World)

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)