Aprilia RSV4 Obscure Spe.Ed.: carbon for 500 units

Aprilia points to 54 world titles, seven of them won with the RSV4 in the Superbike World Championship. On that foundation, the range grows beyond the RSV4 and RSV4 Factory with a new top-of-the-line version: the Obscure Spe.Ed., limited to 500 numbered units. The abbreviation stands for Special Edition. Aprilia Racing contributes technology with a clearly defined goal: less weight and more performance on the race track. Even so, the special model keeps its road homologation.

The most important diet measure sits at the wheels. According to Aprilia, the BST carbon rims together weigh more than two kilograms less than the forged aluminium wheels of the RSV4 Factory. The reduced rotating mass is said to improve handling, braking and acceleration. On top of that come a carbon front mudguard, side fairings, heel guards and front brake air ducts. The latter are designed to effectively dissipate the heat generated under hard use. In total, Aprilia quotes 201 kg wet weight with the tank 90 percent full, three kilograms less than the Factory. With the optional complete ART exhaust system from the Aprilia Racing accessories range, the claimed weight drops to 196 kg. The system features an SC-Project carbon end can.

Aprilia introduced aerodynamic appendages on the RSV4 RF LE in 2018. Now the Obscure Spe.Ed. adopts so-called Leg Wings from the RS-GP prototype. According to the manufacturer, they are being used in this category for the first time and increase downforce on the rear axle by 20 percent. This is meant to improve rear tyre grip without compromising handling. The carbon parts complement the wind-tunnel-developed aero package of the RSV4 Factory, with two overlapping wing-like surfaces beneath the fairing as well as the side fairings. These solutions are designed to reduce drag and keep hot air from the engine away from the rider.

The liquid-cooled, longitudinally mounted 65-degree V4 is familiar from the RSV4 and RSV4 Factory. Aprilia describes this engine concept as the first high-performance four-cylinder production engine with a narrow V angle. Its 1,099 cc result from an 81 mm bore and 53.32 mm stroke, with a compression ratio of 13.3:1. Two overhead camshafts per cylinder bank actuate four valves per cylinder. According to the spec sheet, the crankshaft delivers 220 hp, or 161.8 kW, at 13,000 rpm and 127 Nm of torque at 10,800 rpm. Aprilia thus claims top spot among homologated production superbikes. With the complete ART system, the manufacturer quotes 223.1 hp and 131.8 Nm at the same revs. The documentation makes no separate statement on the road legality of this accessory configuration.

Mixture preparation is handled by an airbox with dynamic front air intakes, four Marelli throttle bodies of 52 mm diameter each and eight injectors. Control is via ride-by-wire. The six-speed cassette gearbox features Aprilia Quick Shift for clutchless up- and downshifts, while the multi-plate wet clutch has a mechanical slipper system. The primary drive uses straight-cut gears with an integrated flexible coupling and a ratio of 73/44, or 1.659. Final drive to the rear wheel is by chain at 41/16, or 2.562.

Aprilia relies on mechanically adjustable suspension to support individual race track setup. Up front sits an Öhlins NIX fork with 43 mm stanchions and TiN surface treatment, at the rear an Öhlins TTX monoshock with piggyback reservoir. Spring preload, rebound and compression are all adjustable. Suspension travel is 125 mm at the front and 115 mm at the rear. The spec sheet also lists wheelbase adjustment for the rear shock. The aluminium twin-spar frame made of pressed and cast elements allows adjustments to steering head position and angle, engine height and swingarm pivot. Added to this are a double-braced upside-down aluminium swingarm and a Sachs steering damper.

Stopping power up front comes from two floating 330 mm stainless steel discs with lightweight braking rings and aluminium carriers with six pins. Radially mounted Brembo Hypure monobloc calipers bite with four opposed 30 mm pistons each. At the rear, Aprilia pairs a 220 mm disc with a Brembo caliper featuring two separate 32 mm pistons. Sintered pads and steel-braided lines are fitted on both axles, with a radial master cylinder up front and a master cylinder with integrated reservoir at the rear. The Bosch cornering ABS offers three mappings and a rear-wheel lift mitigation strategy called RLM.

The carbon wheels measure 3.5 x 17 inches at the front and 6 x 17 inches at the rear. They are shod with tubeless radial tyres in 120/70 ZR 17 and 200/55 ZR 17. For the rear, the documentation lists 190/50 ZR 17 and 190/55 ZR 17 as alternatives. With a 1,435 mm wheelbase, the RSV4 measures 2,055 mm in length and 750 mm in width. Seat height is 840 mm, rake 24.9 degrees and trail 104 mm. The 18-litre tank includes a four-litre reserve. For the Euro 5+ model, Aprilia quotes 6.9 l/100 km and 160 g/km CO₂.

The electronics are based on a six-axis inertial platform. Six riding modes, three each for road and race track, control the three levels of cornering ABS and the functions of the APRC package. These include adjustable traction control and wheelie control, three engine maps, adjustable engine brake control and the quickshifter. The standard Track Pack adds launch control, a pit lane limiter and adjustable rear-wheel slide control with predictive logic. The Race Pack, also included, enables corner-by-corner control: traction control, wheelie control with predictive logic and engine braking automatically adapt on track to the settings previously selected by the rider.

A GPS module for automatic lap timing is standard, as is the fourth generation of Aprilia MIA. This multimedia platform lets you connect a smartphone, expand the dashboard's functionality and download data for analysis. Aprilia thus supplies the electronic tools for evaluation right out of the box.

The Obscure Spe.Ed. is available exclusively in Total Black. Gloss and matte black surfaces alternate with exposed carbon, while the frame and swingarm are painted matte black. The model name and serial number are laser-engraved into the steering head. Despite the race track focus, the road-legal bike comes with a pillion seat and pillion footpegs. These are removed to fit the Leg Wings, and a silencer bracket is included in the kit. Aprilia does not state a price or a specific market launch in the documentation provided.

How many units will be built? Aprilia limits the numbered Obscure Spe.Ed. to 500 units. It joins the RSV4 and RSV4 Factory as the new top-of-the-line version.

What power and weight does Aprilia quote? As standard, it's 220 hp and 201 kg wet weight with the tank 90 percent full. With the complete ART exhaust system, Aprilia quotes 223.1 hp and 196 kg.

Is the special version road legal? Yes, the Obscure Spe.Ed. is road homologated and comes with a pillion seat and pillion footpegs. The Leg Wings are fitted once these have been removed.

What do the 500 units cost and when will they arrive? The press release at hand contains neither a price nor a specific sales launch date.