The upcoming Aprilia Tuono 660 and RS660 middleweights were showcased at 2019 EICMA as concepts
Italian two-wheeler manufacturer Aprilia (under Piaggio Group) plans to launch two middleweight sports motorcycles in the near future: Tuono 660 and RS660. Both products were showcased at EICMA 2019 in early concept formats. Multiple sources claim that Aprilia is aiming for a Q1 2021 launch timeline. However, it remains unknown whether the brand would launch both models side by side. We expect to see the faired RS660 hit global markets first.
Nevertheless, patent images of the production-spec Aprilia Tuono 660 have leaked online. As expected, the final version sports some differences over its initial concept avatar. Changes include a larger belly pan, additional venting, tweaked exhaust design (to meet emission norms), absence of lever guards, thinner tail section, a pair of grab handles, etc.
It is worth mentioning that the 2019 Aprilia Tuono 660 concept sported a convincing styling approach unlike the usual trend among concepts. In modern automotive history, very few products have debuted in near-identical forms as their early concepts or prototypes.
Engine & equipment
Powering the 2021MY Aprilia Tuono 660 will be a ~660cc twin-cylinder engine making almost 95bhp. It is essentially half the power plant in the bigger Tuono V4 1100 (available in India). Furthermore, the engine is tuned to churn out lesser than the fully faired RS660 (expected to produce over 100bhp). This is to pass some tricky motorcycle licence regulations in European nations. Equipment such as traction control, riding modes, quickshifter, cornering ABS, etc., might stay common as part of the standard package.
Though it is too early to comment on an Indian debut, unconfirmed notes suggest a launch timeline towards the end of next year. The Indian two-wheeler market has been witnessing a growing interest in premium middleweights. At present, the segment is dominated by the likes of BMW Motorrad, Kawasaki, Honda Motorcycle and Yamaha Motor. Aprilia does not have any products in this category.
Aprilia India’s premium choices
Alongside a three-product scooter portfolio, Aprilia India has three litre-class products: RSV4 1100 Factory, Tuono V4 1100 Factory and Tuono V4 1100 RR. They employ a 1077cc DOHC 64-degree V4 engine. In the RSV4 1100 Factory, it makes 214bhp @ 13,200rpm and 122Nm @ 11,000rpm while the Tuono V4 1100 Factory (and RR) produces 173bhp @ 11,000rpm and 121Nm @ 9,000rpm.
The Indian market has been waiting for the single-cylinder Aprilia RS150 and Tuono 150 for almost three years. If launched, they will rival Yamaha Motor India’s YZF-R15 and MT-15 range of sportsbikes.
