It is official! The first consignment of brand-new Aprilia RSV4 and Tuono V4 models are on their way to South Africa, with prices starting at R235 000.
The Aprilia range will be represented in South Africa by Italian Motorcycle Importers (IMI), which has partnered with Vespa South Africa and the Italian Piaggio Group to establish an official South African home base for the legendary racing brand.
RSV4 Factory and Race Ready models
Leading the charge will be the mighty Aprilia RSV4 V4 in 1 100cc Factory (R370 000) and 1 000cc Race Ready (R290 000) derivatives.
The concept for both the Factory and RR versions of the new RSV4 was based on Aprilia’s 65-degree V4 engine and a racing frame that is heir to the Aprilia dynasty of 18 titles and 143 Grand Prix races in the 250 GP class.
“The RSV4 was designed to be the absolute best and fastest superbike in its class and is the closest production bike to Aprilia Racing bikes,” says Ian Huntly, CEO of IMI. “The latest versions, which we will have on our showroom soon, offers the most advanced development of the RSV4 racing frame and suspension, and includes a new advanced electronic controls package.”
The RSV4 V4 RF1100 features new pistons and a longer stroke to increase the capacity to close to 1 100cc. It is equipped with new engine maps co-designed by Magneti Marelli that limits the engine to 13 600 rpm, with peak power of 161.8 kW (217 HP) at 13 200 rpm.
In contrast, the narrow V4 engine of the track-ready RSV4 RR has a capacity of 999.6cc and a peak power delivery of 149 kW (201 HP) at 13 000 rpm. This engine features special lightweight pistons, a monobloc crankcase with integrated aluminium cylinder liners and unique engine mapping.
Perhaps the most exciting news about the new Aprilia RSV4 is the inclusion of the racing specialist’s Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) electronic package. This system uses Ride-by-Wire throttle control with features such as Aprilia Traction Control (ATC) that is adjustable on the fly and Aprilia Wheelie Control (AWC), with three extremely precise pre-set levels.
The RSV4 V4 range:
Aprilia RSV4 V4 1000RR: R290 000
Aprilia RSV V4 1100RF: R370 000
- Prices include a limited 24-month factory warranty.
“World’s Best Standard Bike” – Tuono V4
IMI will also offer two versions of the “World’s Best Standard Bike” for sale in South Africa.
The Aprilia Tuono V4 has been named the World’s Best Standard Bike by Cycle World Magazine in the US for two years running, and it will land in South Africa in RR (R235 000) and RF (R267 500) derivatives.
The Tuono features a frame that is closely derived from the RSV4 frame, with high-performance equipment such as brakes from Brembo and an active electronic suspension system (on the Factory model) from Öhlins.
Both models are fitted with a revised version of the RSV4 V4 engine, which delivers 129 kW (175 HP) at 11 000 rpm and 121 Nm at 9 000 rpm. The Tuono also has a version of Aprilia’s APRC system, which includes Traction Control (ATC), Wheelie Control (AWC), Launch Control (ALC) and which allows the rider to switch between Track, Sport and Race on the fly.
“While the Tuono is, on the face of it, not as single-minded as the RSV4, it remains a true Aprilia. In fact, a standard Tuono won the heavyweight category at this year’s Pikes Peak hill climb in the USA and set a new track record for production superbikes,” says Huntly.
The RSV4 V4 range:
Aprilia Tuono V4 1100RR: R235 000
Aprilia Tuono V4 1100RF: R267 500
- Prices include a limited 24-month factory warranty.
Official launch – September 2019 The Aprilia range will be sold and serviced from IMI’s new lifestyle emporium hosted above the Maserati showroom in Bryanston, Johannesburg.
