MV Agusta Turismo Veloce 800 Lusso SCS

MV Agusta has developed a semi-auto clutch technology for its motorcycles along with American component manufacturer, Rekluse. The technology will be first introduced in the company’s sports touring motorcycle, the Turismo Veloce. Christened as the Turismo Veloce Lusso 800 SCS.

Although it does feature a clutch lever, the Turismo Veloce Lusso 800 SCS can be ridden without using the clutch. The Smart Clutch System (SCS) engages and disengages the clutch automatically according to the engine speed. It even prevents the bike from stalling when it is not in motion. There are two modes, automatic and manual. In the latter, the rider can use the clutch to change cogs.

At the heart of the Turismo Veloce Lusso 800 SCS is the same 798cc triple engine mated to a six-speed transmission. The engine churns out 108bhp and 80Nm of torque. It gets a comprehensive electronics package consisting of four engine maps, eight-level traction control and ABS. It rides on Sachs suspension setup. 

SMART CLUTCH SYSTEM

The Smart Clutch System has been developed in collaboration and synergy with an industry-leading technical partner. The research, testing and engineering took two years of work, in the hands of a dedicated team.

The initial objectives were ambitious. Improve comfort and riding fluidity, whilst enhancing the level of performance and sportiness that people expect from every MV Agusta model. At the start of the project, we analysed the solutions already available on the market. On the one hand, there are CVT type systems with their continuous gear variation, considered suitable for scooters but in no way good enough for a sports model like the Turismo Veloce.

On the other hand, double clutch systems that are effective, but complex, very heavy and excessively bulky. These characteristics are completely at odds with the design choices underpinning our 800cc three-cylinder engine, engineered to be compact and lightweight, and part of a vehicle designed to be as light as possible.

THE FUTURE AND TRADITION, TOGETHER

The Smart Clutch System offers the rider two choices: to use the clutch in the traditional way by operating the lever on the handlebars (yes, it's still there!), or hand over complete control of the clutch to the system so that the rider can concentrate on the road and fully enjoy the ride.

This automatic system takes nothing away and ensures maximum freedom of choice. MV Agusta technology requires perfect integration of the mechanical, hydraulic and electronic components. Ensuring perfect engine control is crucial in order to have a better integrated and more efficient automatic clutch system. As mentioned, the clutch lever can be used at any time, without limitation.

The automatic clutch system actually operates in parallel and so there is no need for any prior selection when switching from manual to automatic operation.

ENHANCED RIDING EXPERIENCE

Our exclusive SCS (Smart Clutch System) technology required the development and production of a specific set of clutch plates, with greater friction surface area and special springs.

Its original construction is enhanced by another exclusive design feature: the transparent clutch cover. This too is an absolute world first for a production motorcycle. The look is unique, the mechanical component becoming part of the design, and the design enhanced by the engineering themes. Another peculiarity of the new automatic clutch system introduced by MV Agusta is its weight, identical to that of a traditional clutch system. This is a demonstration of how it is possible to obtain efficiency and functionality without loading the vehicle down with unnecessary weight that would limit its dynamic characteristics and thus reduce riding pleasure. 

SAFETY FIRST, IN ALL CONDITIONS

With the SCS system fitted to the Turismo Veloce 800 Lusso, we introduced a parking brake to prevent any unwanted movement when the bike is stationary. 

In fact, the automatic clutch does not allow the transmission to remain engaged when the engine is not running. The parking brake is engaged/disengaged via a lever positioned above that of the rear brake on the right-hand side of the bike. Simple, efficient and lightweight: this is what the designers were aiming for as they developed this particular system feature, operated simply with the foot. The Smart Clutch System has allowed us to achieve and exceed our initial objectives:

• riding fluidity is greatly improved, especially in traffic or in urban areas where constant variations in speed are normal, or in other situations like narrow and twisty mountain roads;

• overall performance of the motorcycle is improved thanks to full exploitation of the mechanics and chassis features.

According to the classic acceleration measurement from stationary (0-100 km/h), the new Turismo Veloce 800 Lusso SCS performs like a Replica Superbike. Demonstrating its versatility, the SCS system is able to improve rider comfort, reduce stress and enhance performance to the maximum, all at the same time. The SCS system helps to improve the dynamics of Turismo Veloce, a model that stands out above all for being very easy to drive. The riding position is comfortable and at the same time ideal for maximum control of the bike, as well as offering optimal protection from the wind. The chassis has been designed to inspire confidence while cornering while at the same time ensuring stability at high speed.

THREE CYLINDER ENGINE, RACING DNA

Like the Brutale 800 RR, the Turismo Veloce 800 Lusso SCS also benefits from all the mechanical and electronic updates made to Euro 4 homologated models. 

As with the Brutale 800 RR, the Turismo Veloce also benefits from all the mechanical and electronic upgrades of the Euro 4 approved models. This legislation required a reduction of exhaust gas emissions (-50% compared to Euro 3) as well as considerable noise reduction (-48%). An important detail to note is that the maximum power and torque values have remained unchanged, respectively at 110 hp (81 kW) at 10.150 rpm and 80 Nm (8.1 kgm) at 7.100 rpm. The MV Agusta three-cylinder engine has been designed to be versatile, suitable base for different models offering different characters. 

The engine however is undoubtedly true to its sport origins, as can be seen from the power curve, which, due to the intense work of development and refinement is rich in torque from low revs without sacrificing the exciting over-rev. Unmistakably MV Agusta. The heart of this technical masterpiece is the counter-rotating crankshaft. This technology, derived from MotoGP, was introduced by MV Agusta on its in-line three-cylinder engine to improve dynamic efficiency and driving pleasure. The counter-rotating crankshaft reduces the overall vehicle inertia and thus improves cornering and speed of direction changes. This is a design choice that MV Agusta has deemed indispensable since the very beginning of the design phase of the three-cylinder engine, faithful to its history of continuous innovation and anticipation of technical concepts born and bred on the race track. The innovative balance shaft has also been redesigned.

The profile of the intake and exhaust cams has been optimized, while the valves and the respective guides have been redesigned. The transmission is new, having been revised to improve shifting, which is now both quicker and more precise. The noise reduction of the vehicle required special attention in design and analysis, considering how important the sound is on all MV Agusta models. This is why the engineering team focused on reducing high frequency mechanical noise, that was also reduced thanks to the new acoustic swing-arm covers. The harmonic Damper, located on the side of the cylinder head, also plays a key role in both noise and vibration reduction. Pushing this concept of noise reduction the extremes, the gears of the engine have also been the object of specific analysis to both reduce friction and mechanical noise.

ADVANCED ELECTRONICS

The evolution of the electronic engine management system, shifting and the vehicle control system is continuous. The well-known MVICS 2.0 encompasses numerous functions, which in the case of Turismo Veloce 800 Lusso SCS also include the management of the automatic clutch.

Accuracy and quality of the intervention are guaranteed by the latest version of the Ride by Wire system, designed to increase the sensitivity of the throttle and offer the rider even more precise and direct control. The possibility to choose between four engine maps, three set by the manufacturer as well as a customizable one, is particularly useful on a model like Turismo Veloce, offering versatility as one of its strong points. The customization parameters of the Custom map are related to throttle sensitivity, engine torque, engine brake, engine response and rpm limiter. The eight-level traction control is now more precise in its intervention and, like the EAS 2.0 up-and-down shift system as well as SCS, is a technology that MV Agusta was the first to introduce on a production middleweight motorcycle. Overall, the electronic equipment pursues the dual objective of increasing active safety, offering the driver all the technological aids to deal with unforeseen or critical situations while, at the same time, enhancing the performance of both the chassis and the engine. This dual scope is characteristic of the MV Agusta’s approach to push technological and performance limits.

PRINCIPAL UPDATES:

• NEW RADIUS CX AUTOMATIC CLUTCH SYSTEM WITH BILLET HUB AND 12 DLC COATED PINS

• NEW TRANSPARENT CLUTCH COVER MACHINED FROM BILLET

• NEW CNC MACHINED FROM BILLET CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER

• NEW TRANSMISSION

• NEW BALANCE SHAFT

• NEW PRIMARY GEARS

• NEW HARMONIC DAMPER

• NEW MECHANICAL CAM CHAIN TENSIONER

• NEW REAR PARKING BRAKE

• NEW DEDICATED TORQUE BASED ENGINE CONTROL ALGORITHMS