MV Agusta's limited-edition F4 Claudio unveiled

MV AGUSTA has made a few fabulous limited edition bikes over the years, celebrating the likes of Ayrton Senna and Massimo Tamburini. Now, the firm has dug deep to build this - a special edition of the F4 1000 superbike commemorating the man who saved it from disappearing in the late 1990s - Claudio Castiglioni.

A massive name in the Italian bike industry, Claudio played a part in the successes of Ducati, Cagiva and Husqvarna over the decades, but it's probably his time at the helm of MV Agusta which he's most celebrated for. Under his command, the marque was raised from hibernation, producing the F4 750 superbike, penned by 916-designer Massimo Tamburini (below, with Claudio). That bike formed the basis for a range of new high-end machines, such as the Brutale and the F3, expanding to 1000cc as the superbike class changed, and earning its place in the pantheon of great motorcycle designs.

Everything changes though - and the F4 is set to be replaced by an all-new model to cope with new emissions regulations in future. So the firm is celebrating with this final special limited edition of the F4 - the Claudio. It's a proper job, with full carbon bodywork, BST carbon wheels, and (of course) the best new Brembo Stylema calipers and Ohlins suspension.

The engine boasts titanium con rods, and makes a claimed 212bhp in track trim (205bhp for the road), and with the supplied titanium SC Project full exhaust system, the bike tips the scales at just 175kg dry. Nice. There's a full set of rider aids, plus an AIM LCD dash, which works with the WSB-spec buttons on the bars to operate a smart GPS-enabled datalogging and electronics package. Titanium bolts and fasteners abound, and the 'Claudio' signature logo is picked out on gold-electroplated copper trim panel parts.

The Claudio is limited to just 200 bikes. The price is tbc - expect confirmation at the EICMA show in Milan in a fortnight...

www.mvagusta.com