Honda launches new 5-cylinder four-stroke World Grand Prix motorcycle engine

Monday, 29 January 2001 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Torrance, CA -- Honda is widely acknowledged as the world's four-stroke engine technology leader. Today, Honda introduced a new chapter in motorcycle engine design, following the recent changes in World Grand Prix regulations.

Honda Racing Corporation unveiled a new engine called RC211V that will be used to compete in the World Grand Prix Championship in 2002. RC211V is the first four-stroke racing engine designed by Honda for the first year of 21st century, hence its coding. The engine design is a 5-cylinder in a V configuration, made up of three front cylinders and two rear cylinders.

Honda arrived at the unique V-5 engine configuration after examining the revised Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM) regulations for 2002. This engine was selected because Honda believes that it will best satisfy two design requirements that Honda has historically pursued: "concentration of mass" and "reduction of projected areas".

The five cylinders have round pistons and four valves each. For the intake system, PGM-FI (programmed fuel injection) has been adopted. The minimum weight as stipulated by the regulations for four- or five-cylinder engine motorcycles is 145kg (approximately 320 lbs.).

This new chapter follows the storied history of four-stroke innovation for which Honda is famous. The last four-stroke milestones in Honda motorcycle racing were Mike Hailwoods$B!G(B ultimate victory with the four cylinder RC181 in 1967 in Canada, and Freddie Spencer$B!G(Bs final outing on the oval-pistoned NR500 in 1981 during the British Grand Prix. Honda also has a special Grand Prix history with 5-cylinder engines -- Luigi Taveri won the manufacturer's and rider's championships for Honda in 1966 with the 125cc RC149.

END

(See attached file: GP_ENGINE.jpg)