MV Agusta outlines its future after KTM
By Ben Purvis
MV Agusta has had a tumultuous time over the last year or so - with KTM taking a majority stake in the company in Spring 2024 only months before falling into self-administration and rushing to sell the Italian brand again. However MV's own plans are forging ahead now that it has returned to the hands of its previous owners, the Sardarov family.
While the transfer of ownership from KTM parent Pierer Mobility to the Sardarov's Art of Mobility concern is still being completed, the two companies will continue to cooperate on some levels, for a while to come to ensure there's no disruption to customers, MV's return to independence means it has now been freed up to talk about its future plans.
MV's executive director Luca Marin explained that the first part of the agenda is to establish dedicated regional offices in key markets in Europe, Oceania, America and Asia as the brand disentangles itself from the distribution network it currently shares with KTM. In smaller markets, MV is working on deals with independent importers, and the company is keen to emphasise that the dealer network is already confirmed and remains operational, with plans to expand rather than shrink in the wake of ending the KTM deal.
Spare parts are also distributed using the KTM network at the moment, and that will remain unchanged initially, although MV says it's working on the final details of a deal with a 'leading global logistics partner' to take over the spare parts supply chain, with the aim of guaranteeing parts are delivered anywhere in the world within seven days of an order being placed - the change to a new system is due to take place before the end of this year.
MV is also working on improving efficiency at its factory, adopting a Toyota-style just-in-time lean production system and relocating the design department, Centro Stile, to the main factory.
In terms of new models, MV says it intends to unveil an entirely new machine just before EICMA this year, saying it shares only 1% of its parts from the previous generation. Whether that will be a three or four-cylinder model remains to be seen, but the reference to a previous generation indicates it's a replacement for one of MV's current bikes rather than an additional model.
Another EICMA novelty will be a prototype for an all-new engine that MV describes as 'hyper-performance' - perhaps hinting that it's destined for a future superbike to finally replace the F4, which disappeared from production back in 2018.
Superveloce 1000 Ago unveiled
MV has also taken the wraps off its first new model since splitting from KTM in the form of the Superveloce 1000 Ago - revealed on 16 June, Giacomo Agostini's 83rd birthday, and carrying a matching price of € 83,000, just 83 examples will be made.
Of those, the first will be gifted to Ago himself, leaving just 82 for wealthy MV customers to compete for - it's likely that buyers with a previous record of acquiring high-end MV Agustas will be prioritised.
The bikes themselves are based on the 208 hp Superveloce 1000, but finished in full carbon-fibre bodywork and a paint scheme that evokes Ago's MV racers. Specially-designed wire wheels are fitted, and each bike is fitted with an 18-carat gold plaque that marks its position in the production run.
As well as the bike, buyers will get tailor-made Dainese leathers, made from kangaroo leather and featuring the firm's D-Air airbag system, as well as an AGV Pista GP RR helmet, all finished in Ago's colours. The customer's own name can be emblazoned on the back of the leathers, though.
Even the bike's key is special, as its partly made from milled aluminium with a brass medallion embedded into one side. The brass comes from part of one of Agostini's own trophies, selected by Agostini from his own collection, marking victory at a 500 cc GP at Imola. The rest of the trophy will be displayed at a new museum of Agostini memorabilia, which is due to open later this year, and all the buyers of Superveloce 1000 Ago will also get an invitation to join Ago at the opening night.
