Italian superbike manufacturer MV Agusta and three-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton recently announced a collaboration to design a brand-new motorcycle – the snazzy F4 LH44. The partnership follows the success of their first project together that resulted in the Dragster RR LH.
The F4 LH44 is an offshoot of the F4 RC, which is derived directly from the MV Agusta Reparto Corse Superbike, the pinnacle of Italian four-cylinder performance. Hence, the Corsa Corta engine (bore 79mm, stroke 50.9mm) with a central timing chain and radial valves, which on this version puts out a maximum power of 205hp. However, the F4 LH44 comes with a kit that includes a titanium silencer and dedicated control unit, boosting power by 7hp to 212hp.
Commenting on the partnership with MV Agusta, Hamilton said: “I am very excited to continue my partnership with MV Agusta. I love working with Giovanni and the guys at MV Agusta, their passion for engineering and attention to detail produces stunning, original looking bikes. My projects with MV Agusta are a great way to combine my love of riding bikes with my interest in creative design process so I am very much involved with the CRC design team throughout.”
“I am particularly excited to introduce my new bike, the F4 LH44. It looks quite stunning and I had the pleasure of riding on track a few weeks ago in Italy, it feels great and combines the best of both worlds, a race bike for the road! There will be 44 bikes produced so I hope the lucky owners will love it as much as I do,” added Hamilton.
The customisation that led to the creation of the F4 LH44 was based on a continuous, direct, dialogue between the Formula 1 champion and the CRC (Castiglioni Research Center) workshop where every MV Agusta takes shape.
The first distinctive feature is the colour scheme – a candy apple red fairing and pearl white chassis – that uses ink-based paints as opposed to traditional colour bases. The suspension setup boasts premium components: an Öhlins USD NIX 30 TiN-coated fork – which offers separately adjustable hydraulic response in compression (left tube) and rebound (right tube), plus pre-load – and an Öhlins TTX 36 rear shock with piggyback reservoir, which, again, can be mechanically adjusted. The colour of the fork and rear shock further differentiates the F4 LH44; the striking black anodised fork outer tubes are the result of a specific agreement with Öhlins. The rear spring and shock reservoir are also black. The hand-made seat, which retains the racing ergonomics seen on the F4 RC, uses top-quality materials such as natural leather and Alcantara.
Other product highlights include the all-black engine, lightweight magnesium alloy parts, the smoked screen (a first for an F4 production model) and extensive use of carbon-fibre in components such as the main fairing sections that make for a lightweight speed machine.
The F4 LH44 is shod with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tyres (120/70 ZR 17 at the front and 200/55 ZR 17 at the rear), specifically designed by Pirelli for the 44-editions of the F4 Lewis Hamilton bikes. These tyres stand out for their red sidewalls, which sport the LH44 logo, comprising Hamilton's initials and race number.MV Agusta hasn’t revealed pricing details just yet, but considering how exclusive this bike will be and the fact that it is based on the already ultra-premium MV Agusta F4 RC, we expect it to cost a very pretty penny. With just 44 units on offer, it’s highly unlikely that this bike will make it to India, unless a customer has already ensured they get their hands on one. If so, it will join the only Ducati 1299 Superleggera that recently found a home in India.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
