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INTERVIEW MV AGUSTA'S GIOVANNI CASTIGLIONI P80 meanwhile to align the two bikes to one another, each focused on a different target customer. One is aimed at more of a short distance commuter and the other one more at mid- to long-distance use. In fact, we postponed the Turismo Veloce because we decided to redesign the engine. And so we chose to hold the Stradale back as well to launch them both together, to maximize the impact of our entry into the touring market. How different is the Turismo Veloce's new engine from the existing 800 triple? Very different. We changed the cams, the valve timing and exhaust system to have 20 per- cent more torque—from about 3,000 rpm to 9,000 rpm. How- ever there is a little less horse- power at the top end–about 110 bhp instead of 125 bhp—so 90 bhp at the rear wheel I think this is what we need for this kind of bike. The Stradale has the same engine as the Brutale, but with different mapping that also gives 90 bhp, but with a Sport map that takes it up to 115 bhp, to recognize that this will be used for shorter trips. It has a quick- shifter in both directions, too, derived from the one on Cluzel's World Supersport racer–the first time in this middleweight sector, same as BMW's new Superbike has. So we have two different Touring models, in two different price ranges, each targeted at a different customer. So you're still continuing to expand the three-cylinder range, because in addition to these new touring bikes for 2015 you've also produced the Dragster RR and Brutale RR. That Dragster RR is an amaz- ing bike. It's my favorite MV we've built [so far]. The looks are amaz- ing, and in terms of rideability, it's pure adrenaline. Though I really love the Rivale too, because of its riding position. I guess we should remem- ber that you're an active motorcyclist yourself, and so probably your own best test rider, because you know what you like. Yes, I am the company test rider, the one who takes the final decision whether we're ready to go with a new model after riding it. I come pretty cheap, though. It's all included in the package. What about MV Agusta's four-cylinder range? Isn't that being a little overlooked because of the success of the three-cylinder models? How many fours did you make this year? We built 1,700 bikes, but we are in the middle of a major project to completely redevelop the entire four-cylinder platform from the ground up. It'll be com- pletely new, with a brand new engine that will only retain the crankcases and some bottom end components of the existing models. The entire upper half of the engine will be all-new, very different from today. And the chassis and styling will similarly break new ground. Will it still have a radial- valve cylinder head? It's too early to talk about that, but let's just say we're com- pletely redesigning the engine, as well as the chassis and styl- ing. Everything will be different and we will invest heavily in the entire four-cylinder range so that it will go from Superstock to Supernaked to other segments of the market we're not currently present in with our four-cylinder bikes. And that will also include the touring segment. We're "WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR PROJECT TO COMPLETELY REDEVELOP THE ENTIRE FOUR- CYLINDER PLATFORM FROM THE GROUND UP." Once these have reached production, how many bikes do you expect to build in 2015? For sure we will pass the 10,000-bike mark, and probably reach 11,000 units. How many of the Touring models will you make? Well, the biggest will be the Turismo Veloce–probably 3,000 units or so. The Stradale will be built in the range of around 2,500 bikes.