Aprilia makes its return to the off-road world and it does so with daring innovations never before seen in the sector. V twin design, ultra-compact, high specific power, record light weight. Noale represents the way ahead for the off-road bike.
You never forget your first love. And if Aprilia is now a motorbike constructor appreciated and famous throughout the world for its innovations, it owes this at least in part to the off-road world. This is where we took our first steps in racing and where we had our first satisfactions, our first wins. Motocross and trial are sectors where Aprilia has always stood out for its ability to innovate.
Innovation is also the watchword for our return to the off-road world. A comeback in grand style with an engine in every way innovative. The project is known as the 45.2, a 77° V twin engine with electronic injection and a total displacement of 450 cc (which can be increased to compete in a higher class).
The 45.2 project lays the foundations for a revolution in the sector. The bike has been entirely developed in-house in Aprilia's R&D department. Engine and frame mechanics have worked together in perfect symbiosis to follow a common road in designing the engine-frame assembly. Four months of intense work leading, with constant modifications and adjustments, to the first prototype and then the first track and bench tests, still underway today with excellent results.
The aim to obtain a product designed not just for the sports market, but also for all enthusiasts of a sector in constant ferment. Because the 45.2 engine will be mass-produced and mounted on standard bikes available on the market.
The size of the twin engine is no longer a problem. The 45.2 is in fact smaller and lighter than a compact latest generation single cylinder (despite the electric starter), so the engine can easily be mounted in cross or supermotard mechanics. To achieve these results, unstinting use was made of noble and ultra-light materials. The central casings are made from ALSi9 alloy, all covers are in magnesium, valves are in titanium and all the gears are considerably lighter.
The engine has been run for hours on the test bench, proving to have excellent performance characteristics and the ability to reach 14,000 rpm.
But why a twin engine? There are numerous advantages. Thanks to the low unitary displacement, the crank shaft can be extremely compact and light, making it possible to obtain both an engine highly responsive to throttle commands and a rapid and manoeuvrable bike, thanks to the limited gyroscopic effect. In addition, a low unitary displacement makes it easier to remain within the noise limits envisaged for the future, without considering that the 100% electronic engine control improves emissions, a factor which has become extremely important, even when talking of engines for off-road and racing use. The timing has a single overhead cam with four valves per cylinder.
That's all we can say for the moment – except that the bike will be ready during 2004 and will be no less surprising and innovative than the engine.
A TASTE OF THE 45.2 ENGINE
- Expected displacement: 450 cc.
- Architecture: 77° V twin
- Timing: single overhead cam with silent chain drive, four valves per cylinder
- Expected maximum revs: about 14,000 rpm
- Starter: electric
- Gear change: front couplings, 4/5 gears with different spacings available.
- Clutch: multiple disk in oil bath with hydraulic or, on demand, mechanical action.
- Powerful and compact “Alle Terre Alte” generator able to guarantee all the energy required for the injection system, electric starter, battery charger and to operate the auxiliary services.
- Lubrication: separate double circuit. The engine oil is kept separate from the transmission oil. The pressurised oil circuit is fitted with a paper cartridge filter, return reservoir and check valve. All oil circuits are inside the engine.
- Cooling: forced liquid with centrifugal pump.
You never forget your first love. And if Aprilia is now a motorbike constructor appreciated and famous throughout the world for its innovations, it owes this at least in part to the off-road world. This is where we took our first steps in racing and where we had our first satisfactions, our first wins. Motocross and trial are sectors where Aprilia has always stood out for its ability to innovate.
Innovation is also the watchword for our return to the off-road world. A comeback in grand style with an engine in every way innovative. The project is known as the 45.2, a 77° V twin engine with electronic injection and a total displacement of 450 cc (which can be increased to compete in a higher class).
The 45.2 project lays the foundations for a revolution in the sector. The bike has been entirely developed in-house in Aprilia's R&D department. Engine and frame mechanics have worked together in perfect symbiosis to follow a common road in designing the engine-frame assembly. Four months of intense work leading, with constant modifications and adjustments, to the first prototype and then the first track and bench tests, still underway today with excellent results.
The aim to obtain a product designed not just for the sports market, but also for all enthusiasts of a sector in constant ferment. Because the 45.2 engine will be mass-produced and mounted on standard bikes available on the market.
The size of the twin engine is no longer a problem. The 45.2 is in fact smaller and lighter than a compact latest generation single cylinder (despite the electric starter), so the engine can easily be mounted in cross or supermotard mechanics. To achieve these results, unstinting use was made of noble and ultra-light materials. The central casings are made from ALSi9 alloy, all covers are in magnesium, valves are in titanium and all the gears are considerably lighter.
The engine has been run for hours on the test bench, proving to have excellent performance characteristics and the ability to reach 14,000 rpm.
But why a twin engine? There are numerous advantages. Thanks to the low unitary displacement, the crank shaft can be extremely compact and light, making it possible to obtain both an engine highly responsive to throttle commands and a rapid and manoeuvrable bike, thanks to the limited gyroscopic effect. In addition, a low unitary displacement makes it easier to remain within the noise limits envisaged for the future, without considering that the 100% electronic engine control improves emissions, a factor which has become extremely important, even when talking of engines for off-road and racing use. The timing has a single overhead cam with four valves per cylinder.
That's all we can say for the moment – except that the bike will be ready during 2004 and will be no less surprising and innovative than the engine.
A TASTE OF THE 45.2 ENGINE
- Expected displacement: 450 cc.
- Architecture: 77° V twin
- Timing: single overhead cam with silent chain drive, four valves per cylinder
- Expected maximum revs: about 14,000 rpm
- Starter: electric
- Gear change: front couplings, 4/5 gears with different spacings available.
- Clutch: multiple disk in oil bath with hydraulic or, on demand, mechanical action.
- Powerful and compact “Alle Terre Alte” generator able to guarantee all the energy required for the injection system, electric starter, battery charger and to operate the auxiliary services.
- Lubrication: separate double circuit. The engine oil is kept separate from the transmission oil. The pressurised oil circuit is fitted with a paper cartridge filter, return reservoir and check valve. All oil circuits are inside the engine.
- Cooling: forced liquid with centrifugal pump.
