Francis Batta’s dreams of fielding MV Agusta F3 in World Supersport have been definitely put aside for the 2012 season along with their idea of a couple of wildcard partecipations, which was confirmed by Batta’s wife, Patricia Dethor via their Facebook page, but the historical team insists they are working hard on a return in 2013.

Apparently MV Agusta wants to dedicate all their economic resources on production (we saw the video of their new assembly line earlier this morning) and on development of new bikes and than helping sponsor a racing team at an international level.

Source | motoblog.it

If saying MV Agusta and reading Trepistoni gives a Pavolovian response, then you’ll be happy to know that the Italian manufacturer is alive and well and reporting a sales increase of +12% in 2011 and for 2012 have already received orders that are +100% compared to 2011, thanks to the new and stunning 3-cylinder mid-size models: F3 675 and Brutale 675 and the increase of the maxi Brutale family.

The above video shows off their new production lines designed by Porsche Consulting AG, and they have already started operating at double capacity to meet production demands, so obviously the sales of supersport bikes is not exactly waning for the Varese based company who prides themselves on giving the best of Made in Italy.

The PR blurb that accompanies the video is after the jump.

Every great motorcycle is made up of many small acts of magic. Each MV Agusta is the ideal combination of thousands of intricate pieces. Assembled with passion, skill and innate precision. Thus was born F3, three-cylinder that has changed the concept of supersport.

Imagine an area that is organized, compact, modeled after a project that is at the same time rational and creative: this is the assembly line in the MV Agusta F3. Where emotions take shape, where the idea becomes substance. Metal. Composite materials. Light alloys.

The assembly line is the heart of the company. Here, every gesture is designed, programmed and designed to be efficient, accurate, necessary and effective. It is the core of the quality that defines MV Agusta, synthesis of craftsmanship and versatility. The workers know the intricate detail of the manufacturing process of the F3: their overall vision allows the maximum production flexibility, the exchange of personnel between various workstations and rigorous controls at each stage of assembly.

To ensure quality and meet the production timing goals, you need a clear strategy of action. Each F3 is composed of about 1,200 pieces, checked one by one before, during and after installation to ensure the compliance of the quality, assembly accuracy and function.

The engine, a 675 cc in-line three cylinder, utilizes the unique solution of a counter-rotating balance shaft. This innovation solution neutralizes the forces of inertia of the motorcycle, enhancing the handling by reducing the effort to change direction.

During the assembly process it is subject to continuous tests which include, for example, the electronic verification of all of the tolerances. Each step is recorded so that all the dimensions remain under full control.

At the end of the assembly line each of this unique three-cylinder engines are subjected to the tests on the test bench: hot firing cycle, warm-up period and then they are subject to tests of power and torque. Each engine is tested for thirty minutes. And only after the successful completion of this test can the engine be transferred to the vehicle assembly-line where it is mated with the beautiful trellis frame complete with sideplates fabricated from aluminum alloy.

The tightening torque of the nuts, screws and bolts are recorded by a data management system that stores and encodes the information of each item to allow the traceability of each F3 produced.

Everything moves along the assembly line according to the principle of “just in time”, which becomes reality in the form of kits that are hooked–up to the same assembly line and providing all the necessary parts to the operators at just the right moment.

The F3 is finally assembled, perfect in every detail. 1,200 pieces transformed into a unique feat of engineering, creativity and charm. Made in Italy. But, it is not over yet: prior to being prepared for shipment, the F3 is subject to a final test on a chassis dynamometer which allows MV Agusta to verify the correct assembly and impeccable functionality of the wheels, engine, brakes and all the components, that when combined, form the most advanced supersport bike ever.

MV Agusta is at the 2012 Motor Bike Expo with all of its four hot new bikes, one for every corner of its stand. We are obviously talking about the mighty F3 and F4 R (that really seem to be going fast even when they are stalling) and the spectacular naked models Brutale 675 and 1090 R, all of which were also showcased at the 2011 EICMA in Milan last November. The Italian manufacturer never fail to impress the crowd with its stunning models, and the delighted audience of the Moto Bike Expo made no exception. Enjoy this exclusive photo gallery of the MV Agusta stand in Verona, once again courtesy of our mates from Motoblog.it.

View the full MV Agusta live @ the 2012 Motor Bike Expo photo gallery

The rumor that Luca Scassa was in line to ride for Francis Batta’s new wannabe Supersport team fielding a MV Agusta F3 has been shot down by the Italian rider himself on his Facebook page:

MV Agusta for 2012 !?!? Would be very nice but I deny the news. I’ll keep you updated as soon as I can!

Batta is feverently working on a return to the Superbike paddock, but according to an interview with the Belgium manager with Italy’s Gpone.com, the Supersport project will be only defined by mid-January and apparently if everything does come together (budget, sponsors, competitveness) Alstare’s team won’t compete in the entire championship season, but only be for a few rounds.

Francis Batta in a recent interview said he was pulling his team out of World Superbikes as Suzuki would no longer back him and in alternative to the Japanese manufacturer, Batta had tried to contact Massimo Bordi of MV Agusta to see if they were interested in fielding a team, but he was continually blown off and couldn’t get an appointment.

It now seems that stubborn Belgium manager finally got his appointment and must have pitched a pretty good offer to the Italian marque as latest rumors have it that he’ll be fielding a Supersport team in 2012 with Luca Scassa riding an MV Agusta F3.

Scasssa has a vast experience on MV Agusta machines, he won the 2006 CIV Superstock Championship with a F4 and took third in World Superstock championship the same year. In 2007, the Rocker as he’s known competed as MV Agusta’s official rider in the AMA Superbike Championship taking the Rookie of the Year award and in 2008 returned to Italy to win the CIV Superbike championship on the F4. In 2011 Scassa raced for Giuliano Rovelli’s Yamaha ParkingGo team taking taking three victories and finishing fifth overall.

Iconic Italian brand MV Agusta will be making a notable return to compete in the Isle of Man TT Races, campaigned by the World Performance Racing team. WPR is a family run business based in Chesterfield who, in association with Chorley-based Moto GB, will be taking the new MV Agusta F3 and F4 machines to compete at the TT next year.

MV Agustas have won 34 TT races and taken 61 podiums between 1952 and 1972.The first race win came in the 1952 Ultra-Lightweight race, won by Cecil Sandford, whilst the last was the 1972 Senior won by Giacomo Agostini.

While Agostini is the most successful MV Agusta rider at the TT with 10 wins to his name, some of the greatest names in the event’s history have also raced on MVs including John Surtees (6 wins), Carlo Ubbiali (5 wins), Mike Hailwood (4 wins) and Tarquinio Provini (3 wins). Other race winners have included Gary Hocking (2 wins) while John Hartle, Bill Lomas, Cecil Sandford and Les Graham have also stood on the top step.

The late Martin Finnegan was the last high profile rider to campaign an MV Agusta at the TT, finishing 4th in the 2007 Superstock TT race, lapping at 125.685mph.

Neil Haslam, Team Boss, World Performance Racing commented: “World Performance Racing represents a passion for motorcycle racing and the desire to bring MV Agusta, the iconic motorcycle brand with a unique heritage, to the celebrated Isle of Man TT races in 2012. We aim to restore MV Agusta back to winning ways and ensure that the 2012 TT will be another chapter in this great Italian’s brand’s history.”

Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Development Manager, commented: “MV Agusta is one of the truly iconic names in the TT’s history and I’m sure many fans will be eager to see the much anticipated return of a factory supported outfit. I’m really pleased that we will see yet another factory backed outfit at next year’s TT and it is further confirmation of the event’s growing strength and appeal.”

Source and photo | iomtt.com

MV Agusta presents at the 2011 EICMA the eagerly awaited F4 R and F4 RR. Both models are powered by the engine known as ‘Corsa Corta’, an in-line 4-cylinder unit which has been clompletely re-designed for this project. The new F4 redlines at 13,700 rpm, with a decreased piston linear velocity (from 24,9 m/s to 23 m/s) which makes it more reliable. The F4 R comes with 195.2 hp wheras the even more extreme RR will count on no less than 201, at 13000 rpm.

Cylinder heads use new ducts and bigger valves which - for the first time ever on a production bike - are made of titanium: this made it possible to lose weight even though the valves have larger diameters (going from 28,6 to 31,8 mm for the inlet and from 24,6 to 26 mm for the outlet). The new exhaust system maintains the 4-2-1-4 scheme, but with bigger diameters too. 49mm throttle body, slipper clutch and two new mappings that can be selected through a command on the handlebar complete F4’s engine modifications.

The Brembo radial monobloc braking system mounted on the front is the symply the best one available on the market, coupled to a master cylinder with integrated reservoir specifically made for MV. The 320 mm diameter floating double front discs use an ultra light flange which are 5 mm thick to reduce inertia forces and non suspended masses. The rear brake system is made exclusively for MV with a stainless steel 220 mm diameter disc and 4 piston calliper. Click the “Continue Reading” link below to find out more about these two outstanding machines.

View the full MV Agusta F4 R and RR at 2011 EICMA photo gallery

The MV F4 R uses Marzocchi upside down forks with 50 mm stanchions adjustable in spring preload as well as the hydraulic extension and compression, while at the rear Sachs shock absorber is equipped with a nitrogen reservoir (separated and integrated within the body) and is adjustable in extension, compression and spring preload.

Sheer power aside, the main difference between F4 R and F4 RR is that the latter is basically ‘race-ready’, sporting a multi-adjustable 43mm Öhlins fork on the front and a Öhlins TTX 36 monoshock on the rear as well as ultra light rims, foot-pegs and handlebars.

MV Agusta hottest products at the 2011 EICMA are obviously the brand new 675s (Brutale and F3), but its older sisters are there too. The Brutale 920 maintains its typical handling and dynamic features and sports an impressive 180/55 rear tyre, which is just perfect to unleash the 129 hp produced by its 4 cylinder engine. Beside the black color scheme, in 2012 there will also be a white one available, at 11,900€.

However, it is the Brutale 1090R to take the top spot of the line, with its outstanding design and amazing power. Its engine is a 1078cc 4-cylinder engine with radial valves is the most powerful engine ever produced by MV Agusta, boasting 144 hp (106 kW) at 10,300 rpm. Then there is the special ‘America’ limited edition, with specifically designed livery (pictured above).

The frame is a mixed steel-aluminum trellis, mated to a Marzocchi 50mm USD front fork and a Sachs rear shock, both with valving specific to the Brutale R 1090 capable of taming the most torturous roads and demanding race tracks. For this reason, the Brutale 1090 R uses a 190/55 - ZR17 rear tyre which optimizes the grip even in extreme riding conditions. The new ECU mappings were lifted from F4 and guarantee the best power delivery thenks to the 8 modes specifically developed for this motorcycle.

MV Agusta F3 was the queen of the 2010 EICMA, when it was first introduced to the world. One year later, the F3 is once again at the Milan event in its definitive version, with also a “Serie Oro” limited edition veriation on display at the MV Agusta stand. Check out the pictures of both variations in our photo gallery, taken right on the spot at the 2011 EICMA in Milan.

As reported in our previous post about this outstanding machine, the bike will use a revolutionaty electronic package called MVICS (Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System) and will equipped with a brand new 675cc in line three-cylinder engine delivering 126 hp at 14,500 rpm and maximum torque of 71 Nm at 10,600 rpm, redlining at 15,000 rpm. The price of the F3 is 11.900 €.

View the full MV Agusta F3 at the 2011 Eicma photo gallery

Here are the pictures of the eagerly awaited MV Agusta Brutale 675, taken live at the EICMA. The model will surely become a protagonist in the naked supersport market, boasting the technical mastery that is typical of European bikes and a price which is not too far from the Japanese competitors.

The engine is the same 675 cc 3-cylinder unit powering MV Agusta F3 , but obviously not as powerful: but toned down a bit: instead of the F3′s claimed 126 hp, the Brutale 675 peaks at 113 hp, with both models sharing the same maxium torque value of 71Nm.

This bike surely is a stunner, and is definitely one of the highlights of the whole Milan event. Take a look at our photo gallery (once again courtesy of our colleagues from Motoblog.it) and check that hot exhaust out: you will see it for yourself.

View the full MV Agusta Brutale 675 Live Eicma photo gallery

MV Agusta has released the first official figures and pictures of the upcoming F3 675, the new 3 cylinder motorcycle that will take on the currently not-so-wealthy 600 supersport market. The F3 675 is the first model to use the brand new MVICS - Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System - a revolutionary electronic package made of four pre-set engine maps plus one that can be customized by the owner working along with F3′s eight different levels of traction control. The new electronics, coupled with an advanced ride-by-wire throttle technology, are surely one of the highlights of this outstanding machine.

The core of the bike is obviously its 675cc in line three-cylinder engine (featuring 79 mm bore and 45.9 mm stroke) that delivers 126 hp at 14,500 rpm and maximum torque of 71 Nm at 10,600 rpm, redlining at 15,000 rpm. Besides, it is also the first motorcycle of this category adopting the counter-rotating crankshaft, a solution that should provide the bike with better balance and handling. Other remarkable mechanical features include titanium valves, 50mm throttle bodies and dual fuel injectors for each cylinder.

MV Agusta F3 675 also boasts fully-adjustable Marzocchi 43mm front forks, Sachs rear shock, super-light wheels, Brembo’s radial calipers and 320mm front discs mated to Nissin radial master cylinder, while its 1.38 meter wheelbase and a 173 kg weight are also important factors in making this bike one of the most eagerly awaited newcomers of its category. As usual, a ‘Serie Oro’ edition will anticipate the standard model’s debut on the market, with the former becoming available at MV Agusta’s dealerships this coming December and the latter hitting the showrooms the following month.

Click here for the MV Agusta F3 MY 2012 photo gallery
Click here for the MV Agusta F3 Serie Oro photo gallery
Click on the ‘Continue reading’ link below the thumbnails for MV Agusta F3 full technical specs

Here are MV Agusta F3 675 technical specs:

ENGINE
Type: Three cylinder, 4 stroke, 12 valve
Timing system: “D.O.H.C”
Total displacement: 675 cm3 (41.2 cu. in.)
Compression Ratio: 13:1
Starting: Electric
Bore x Stroke: 79 mm x 45.9 mm (3.1 in. x 1.8 in.)
Max horse power-rpm (at the crankshaft): 94.2 kW (126 HP) at 14400 r.p.m. Lim. 15000 r.p.m.
Max torque-rpm: 71 Nm (7.24 kgm) at 10600 r.p.m.
Cooling system: Cooling with separated liquid and oil radiators
Engine management system: Integrated ignition - injection system with six injectors Engine control unit Eldor EM2.0, throttle body full drive by wire Mikuni, pencil-coil with ion-sensing technology, control of detonation and misfire Torque control with four maps, Traction Control with eight levels of intervention
Clutch: Wet, multi-disc with mechanical drive
Gear box: Cassette style; six speed, constant mesh
Primary drive: 19/36
Gear ratio: First gear: 1/14.493 - Second gear: 1/10.821 - Third gear: 1/9.053 - Fourth gear: 1/8.040 - Fifth gear: 1/7.274 - Sixth gear: 1/6.712
Final velocity ratio: 16/43

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Voltage: 12 V
Alternator: 350 W at 5000 r.p.m.
Battery: 12 V - 8.6 Ah

DIMENSION AND WEIGHT
Wheelbase: 1380 mm (54.230 in.)
Overall lenght: 2060 mm (81.06 in.)
Overall width: 725 mm (28.53 in.)
Saddle height: 805 mm (31.67 in.)
Min. ground clearence: 125 mm (4.92 in.)
Trail: 99 mm (3.89 in.)
Dry weight: 173 kg (381.4 lbs.)
Fuel tank capacity: 16 l (4.22 U.S. gal.) - 5 l (1.32 U.S. gal.) reserve

PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 260.0 km/h (161.5 mph)

FRAME
Type: ALS Steel tubular trellis
Rear swingarm pivot plates - material: Aluminium alloy

FRONT SUSPENSION
Type: Upside - telescopic hydraulic fork with rebound-compression damping andspring preloadexternal and separate adjustment
Rod diameter: 43 mm (1.69 in.)
Travel on leg axis: 125 mm (4.92 in.)

REAR SUSPENSION
Type: Progressive, single shock absorber with rebound and compression (High speed/Low speed) damping and spring preload adjustment
Single sided swing arm - material: Aluminium alloy
Wheel travel: 123 mm (4.84 in.)

BRAKE
Front brake: Double floating disc with Ø 320 mm (Ø 12.6 in.) diameter, with steel braking disc and flange
Front brake caliper: Radial-type, with 4 pistons Ø 32 mm (Ø 1.26 in.)
Rear brake: Single steel disc with Ø 220 mm (Ø 8.66 in.) dia.
Rear brake caliper: With 2 pistons - Ø 34 mm (Ø 1.34 in.)

RIMS
Front - material/size: Aluminium alloy 3.50 ” x 17 ”
Rear - material/size: Aluminium alloy 5.50 ” x 17 ”

TYRES
Front: 120/70 - ZR 17 M/C (58 W)
Rear: 180/55 - ZR 17 M/C (73 W)

FAIRING
Material: Thermoplastic

MV Agusta has released the first teaser of its new Brutale 675, the long-awaited bike from the Italian manufacturer that will soon take on the naked supersport market to compete with such bikes as Ducati Streetfigher 848 and Triumph Street Triple. The model will use a brand new three-cylinder engine that will be housed in a tubular-steel frame with aluminum side plates, and will be officially unveiled at the EICMA in about 10 days.

The video obviously doesn’t really show that much of the final version, but we can see that the tank looks quite similar to the one equipping the bigger Brutale, the head light is slightly different but maintains the model’s signature shape while the tail is quite small, has a few slits and bears the writing “Trepistoni” on it (’three pistons’ in Italian), which could be a part of the actual name of the bike or just a distinctive label for the 3-cylinder scheme. We will find that out in just a few days.