Aprilia is working on a new entry-level model of the RS family. A small RS 660 has been spotted in India, the cylinder capacity of which will probably be between 300 and 400cc and which has already been given the name RS 440 by some media.
With Aprilia there is a huge gaping hole between the RS 125 and the RS 660 that even the largest mammoth tanker cannot get stuck in, so it’s not so much a question of if, but when that gap with an ‘A2 model’ will be filled.
Judging by the short video that the Indian car and motorcycle website Evo India has posted on Instagram, it won’t be long now. A camouflaged motorcycle has been spotted in Baramati in the state of Maharashtra, which appears to be a smaller version of the RS 660.
After already setting the standard in the one liter (plus) class with the RSV4 and the Tuono V4, the RS 660 platform was launched two years ago, which has pulled the small Italian out of the valley in terms of sales figures, the RS 660, Tuono 660 and Tuareg 660 are a resounding success for Aprilia.
At least as important as a strong mid-range, however, is presence in the now super-important A2 segment, which has become so important that everyone is trying to get their hands on the biggest piece of that pie.
In all likelihood, Aprilia now also seems to be mixing in that A2 class. Although the video of a camouflaged prototype shot in India is too short to cook serious porridge, the images are good enough to deduce a few things.
For example, fairing and crankcase cover reveal that this is probably a smaller version of the Aprilia RS 660. And not only that, also the frame and the butt clearly seem to bear the signature of Aprilia. The single disc in the front wheel reveals that it is a smaller version, while the upside-down front fork is proof that no expense has been spared in the choice of materials.
More than this is not known at the moment, but that has not stopped some media from going wild. The Italian Motociclismo kicked off with an “RS 440”, which they say will have a displacement of about 440 cc, good for an output of about 45-50 hp. Which was then picked up and adopted by various media.
As long as no patents or homologation documents leak out, however, it remains a guess as to the exact specs of the new “little RS”, but we think they have guessed Motociclismo pretty well. We are betting on a two-cylinder of between 300 and 400cc, with an output of around 40 hp, in line with the current Z400, YZF-R3 and RC 390.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.