MV Agusta, the traditional Italian motorcycle manufacturer, recently became part of the Pierer Mobility Group, which also includes KTM, Husqvarna and GASGAS. Exciting developments are in the pipeline under the new management. In an interview with the Italian magazine Motociclismo, the new CEO of MV Agusta, Hubert Trunkenpolz, gave an insight into the company's plans for the future. In particular, the development of a new three-cylinder engine and the question of a possible engine sharing with KTM were discussed.
MV Agusta has officially confirmed that a new three-cylinder engine is under development. This announcement is causing a lot of excitement in the motorcycle world, as this engine will be used in one of the models in the popular “naked” Brutale or Dragster series. Trunkenpolz explained in an interview: “It has not yet been decided which model will be the first to receive the new three-cylinder, but it will definitely be either the Brutale or the Dragster.”
MV Agusta’s Brutale range currently comprises five models, including the 798cc R and RR as well as the 1000cc models 1000RS, 1000RR and the 1000RR “Assen” edition. The dragster range consists of three models: RC, RR SCS and RC SCS. The new three-cylinder engine could therefore represent a significant innovation for one of these models and drive forward the technical development of the brand.
No engine sharing planned with KTM
Despite the new affiliation with Pierer Mobility and the close relationship with KTM, Trunkenpolz made it clear that MV Agusta will continue to rely on its own iconic three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines. In an interview with Motociclismo, he emphasized that there are currently no plans to share engines between MV Agusta and KTM. “MV Agusta will continue to be powered by the characteristic three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines,” said Trunkenpolz. This means that MV Agusta will not be using KTM’s twin-engine platform in the near future.
However, an exception could be its use in MotoGP. Trunkenpolz hinted that should MV Agusta enter MotoGP, an engine partnership with KTM could be considered. However, this has not yet been decided and would not become relevant until 2027 at the earliest.
Conclusion
Hubert Trunkenpolz’s statements in the interview with Motociclismo show that MV Agusta is continuing to focus on innovation and the development of its own engine technologies under the new management. The new three-cylinder engine could play a central role in this and determine the future direction of models such as the Brutale and Dragster. At the same time, MV Agusta remains a brand that retains its own identity and has no plans to share engine platforms with KTM – at least not in the foreseeable future.
