MV Updates Brutale 800, Debuts Special Edition Dragster RR

Fresh from an investment from Mercedes AMG, Italian manufacturer MV Agusta is looking to follow on their record breaking year in 2015 with a redesign of their most iconic model, the Brutale, as well as celebrate the release of a special limited edition of their sexy and successful Dragster RR.

For fifteen years now the Brutale has been a standard-bearer for excellence in naked bike design, and MV has constantly finessed that model line-up with bikes in different displacement classes. The middleweight 3-cylinder Brutale 800, launched just three years ago, gets an updated look, loses some power but gains significant torque as it gets overhauled to meet the tough new Euro 4 emissions standards. The success of this refreshed design will be critical for MV as the Brutale 800 currently accounts for a full 25% of their production.

NEW FOR THE BRUTALE 800

Style-wise the 800 appears a little more beastly with its blackened engine, full LED headlight, angular fairing pieces and simplified paint scheme. The seat also gets a significant new look with a negative space between the saddle and the frame, and an overall height increase of 20 mms (3/4 inch). The Brutale 800 is still totally recognizable, and it seems like -- as usual -- every little component detail speaks to the quality of fit and finish we have come to expect from MV.

Complying with the progressive Euro policy on emissions, MV has made some changes to the Brutale 800 engine which has resulted in a drop of power output from 125hp to 116hp and a dry weight increase from 167 kg (368 lbs) to 175 kg (385 lbs). Torque does increase though, and it peaks at lower engine speed going from 59.7 lb. ft @ 8600 rpm to 61.2 @ 7600. Maximum speed has been reduced from 245 kph (153 mph) to 237 kph (147 mph).

For 2016 most of the 800cc MV line-up will now come standard with the MV EAS 2.0 (Electronic Assisted Shift) in both up and down.

The Brutale 800 will be offered in three colour schemes: Pearl Ice White / Matte Metallic Graphite, Red / Matt Silver and Matte /Matte Metallic Black.

The Canadian MSRP looks a few hundred dollars lower than 2015 at $14,995.

BRUTALE DRAGSTER 800 RR LEWIS HAMILTON 44

The Dragster 800 RR turned a lot of heads last year. This year, we are guessing with the intention to celebrate the new relationship with Mercedes-AMG, MV has handed over the creative drawing board to British F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton. Together they have created the Dragster 800 RR Lewis Hamilton 44, or simply "LH44".

Hamilton is a long time fan of MV bikes, and of course he races for team Mercedes AMG Petronas, so undoubtedly MV sees the opportunity to seed some enthusiasm for motorcycles into AMG showrooms and possibly reach a new audience.

This limited edition bike -- only 244 will be made -- is specifically geared to collectors, and its $29,995 CAD price tag is 50% higher than the nearly identical Dragster 800 RR. In fact, except for a number of component design details, it is the very same powerful and sexy 140 hp bike.

Lewis Hamilton apparently contributed to the specification of over fifty design details to make the LH44 stand out visually from the standard Dragster 800 RR. There is a lot of carbon fibre and Ergal (which is an aluminum alloy almost as strong as steel but a much higher strength to density ratio.) And we can assume from the finished product that Mr. Hamilton is a big fan of the colour red. This unique Dragster features several unique graphics inspired by the three-time world champion's helmet (his F1 car is number 44 in case you were wondering) such as a panther logo which is also sewn into the quilt-finish of the Alcantara saddle.