Revolutionary Move? MV Agusta Unveils Unique Five-Cylinder Engine for Superbikes

In early November, the motorcycle industry received a fresh jolt of innovation: Italian manufacturer MV Agusta revealed a radical engine concept at the EICMA international show in Milan, challenging conventional design norms.

The company introduced a five-cylinder power unit called Cinque Cilindri, combining compact dimensions, remarkable power, and an unconventional architecture.

Five-cylinder engines are extremely rare in modern motorcycles due to challenges with weight and size. Italian engineers, however, found an inventive solution by moving away from traditional inline or V-shaped layouts. Instead, they created a trapezoidal configuration: two cylinders sit directly above the other three. This design makes the engine narrower than a standard inline-four and shorter than typical V engines—critical factors for centralizing mass and improving handling.

The Cinque Cilindri delivers top-tier superbike performance. It was developed with variable displacement ranging from 850 to 1150 cc. In its most extreme version, it produces up to 240 horsepower with a peak torque of 135 Nm at 8,500 rpm. Notably, the engine can rev up to 16,000 rpm, a level usually reserved for high-strung racing engines.

Despite this performance, the entire unit weighs less than 60 kilograms. The engine features two separate crankshafts—a three-cylinder front and a two-cylinder rear—working in unison. According to MV Agusta, precise ignition timing ensures smooth, linear torque without relying on complex variable valve timing systems.

While the engine debuted as a concept, MV Agusta has officially confirmed plans for series production. Its versatile design makes it suitable for a range of motorcycles—from naked bikes and track-focused superbikes to touring models. The first production model with the Cinque Cilindri engine is expected to hit the market within the next few years.