By Dirck Edge
When the Milan show opened, Aprilia announced its entry into the off-road market with an innovative engine -- a 450cc, 77 degree v-twin, with a rev ceiling of 14,000 rpm! Below is Aprilia's press release on the engine, which apparently is in the early stages of development. No chassis has been presented to accompany the powerplant at this point. 
Ivano Beggio shows off his baby
EICMA: THE 45.V2 ENGINE, SOMETHING ABSOLUTELY NEW! A never seen choice, a great project. A totally new engine, thought and realized in order to open a new dimension in the off-road field. Aprilia explores the frontiers of technology with their 45.V2 engine for the world of off-road bikes, consisting of two ultracompact V-cylinders with high specific horsepower and record light weight. It was considered an impossible feat to exploit the benefits of a twin-cylinder engine in off-road races: only Aprilia could try something as brave and as innovative with such great confidence.
The passion for off-road bikes is not new to Aprilia. Its first love was in fact the off-road world and its first sporting successes were had in motocross and trial. Aprilia has always distinguished itself in these sectors through its contribution towards technological innovation. Innovation also marks Aprilia's great return to the off-road world... not a quiet return, but a return in grand style, with technology never before seen in this sector: revolutionary ideas with which Aprilia once again leads the way along the road to innovation.
The 45.V2 lays the foundations for a revolution in the sector. The project has been entirely developed in Aprilia's R&D department: engine specialists and frame experts worked side by side to transform a revolutionary idea into reality. Months of extremely hard work have led in record time to a working prototype which has already given positive preliminary test results. As is tradition in Aprilia, the project initially set out to win races, but the engine was also designed for all the enthusiasts in this continually growing sector, where Aprilia intends to leave its exclusive technological mark.THE FIRST TWIN-CYLINDER OFF-ROAD ENGINE Innovative and even daring choices. After analysing all the alternatives, a 77° V-twin engine was chosen. This choice was dictated by the need for maximum possible power and at the same time a wide range of use. The sophisticated engine management electronics, developed by the Aprilia racing department, introduces several innovations in the sector. Thanks to the limited unitary displacement, an extremely compact and equally light drive shaft was made possible, giving rise both to an engine which is highly responsive to the rider's control, and to a very fast easy-to-handle bike owing to the low gyroscopic effect. Even when decelerating or idling, the typical inertia of large bores and strokes is minimized. For an off-road bike, the size of the engine is as important as its performance. Aprilia's extremely advanced know how has got round all the typical size limitations of twin-cylinder engines and has pulled off a true miracle in compactness. The dimensions of this twin-cylinder engine are, in fact, smaller than the single cylinder engines currently on the market. An incredible work of refinement led to solutions such as a single overhead driveshaft as the best compromise between compactness, light weight and performance. Every single engine component has been optimized not only for maximum performance, but also for quiet running, in order to meet the sound-level limits currently being proposed for the sector; equal attention was also paid to limiting pollutant emissions. Weight was certainly not overlooked: the engine actually sets a record for its type and is moreover fitted with electric starting, the only one on the 45.V2. In order to achieve this result Aprilia did not skimp on the use of noble metals and ultralight materials. The central casing is made of aluminium-silicon, all the covers are made of magnesium, the valves are titanium, and the gearing has been made much lighter. Utmost attention was paid to fluid dynamic efficiency, thanks to powerful calculation programs which not only optimized the thermodynamic components, but also the intake and exhaust systems.THE 45.V2 ENGINE IN A NUTSHELL
- Displacement: 450 cc.
- Type: 77° V-twin
- Timing system: single overhead shaft controlled by a silent chain; four titanium valves per cylinder
- Maximum revs: 14,000 rpm
- Starter: electric
- Gearbox: front clutch, with 4 / 5 gears
- Clutch: multiple disc wet clutch with hydraulic control (or mechanical on request).
- Powerful compact the “Terre Rare” alternator provides sufficient power for the injection system, electric starter, battery charger and auxiliary circuits
- Lubrication: separate dual circuit. The engine oil is separate from the drive oil. The pressurized oil circuit consists of a paper cartridge filter, an oil tank and a check valve
- Forced liquid cooling with centrifugal pump. Aprilia is forward-looking, and the 45.V2 engine has an eye to the future, even as regards regulations. With a smaller unitary displacement, it is easier to meet the sound-level limits expected for the future, and with total electronic engine management, emissions are improved, which has also become an important factor for off-road and racing bikes.
“I'm happy and thrilled to start working on this ambitious, innovative, high-tech, off-road project of Aprilia's; it's exciting for the technical choices made.” Ivano Beggio
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks