APRILIA PULLED a bit of a surprise at the EICMA Milan show, unveiling this piece of sexy nonsense. Essentially, they've whipped a pair of cylinders off the tasty RSV4/Tuono 1100 V4 engine, and made a neat parallel twin out of it.

Capacity is 660cc, it should be able to make around 100bhp easily enough, and it's bolted into a properly slick light supersport chassis. We want to say 'modern RS250' but it makes us cry that we don't get the two-stroke vibe any more.

Still, a super-light, torquey, 660cc twin, making 105bhp, weighing 160kg wet and dripping in posh electronics? We're all moist at the very thought.

Exact details are SCANT at the moment, which has surprised exactly nobody who's ever dealt with an Italian firm, been to Italy, met an Italian, or even drunk a cappuccino. We're joking of course Aprilia folks! We love you! And we'll put up all the facts on the new RS660 saucebucket as soon as ye send them. Ciao, ciao!

UPDATE!! We've got a full release now - seems like this will be Aprilia's entry into the Asian market as well as a new way for novice riders to get into the brand. So wait for a new 660 Tuareg we'd say...

Here's the PR text in full:

CONCEPT RS 660 IS THE FIRST EVOLUTIONARY STEP IN A REVAMPING AIMED AT EXPANDING THE APRILIA RANGE UNDER THE SIGN OF SPORTINESS AND PERFORMANCE FOR FUN

CUTTING-EDGE AERODYNAMICS RESEARCH, PREMIUM TECHNICAL CONTENT, ADVANCED ELECTRONICS AND A NEW TWIN-CYLINDER ENGINE: RS 660 REDEFINES APRILIA VALUES FOR A NEW GENERATION OF RIDERS

With the Concept RS 660, Aprilia researches a new concept of sportiness, defined by the ratio between exuberant but easy-to-manage engine performance, a frame and suspension par excellence and the light weight of the vehicle.

The Concept RS 660 is a possible response to the demand of new generations for fun bikes that are capable of thrilling on the road as well as on the occasional track day.

The Concept RS 660 interprets the concept of sportiness in accordance with extremely modern canons, the consequence of in depth technological research and the extremes of aerodynamic solutions that are unrestricted by any regulations.

The result is a product that is unique in its kind: a medium engine capacity twin-cylinder, attractive and accessible, that provides extremely high technological content, even higher than bikes in superior categories.

Therefore, RS 660 is a possible option for young riders coming up from smaller engine sizes, looking for a high level sport bike that can provide thrills and fun on a day to day basis on the road and ready to support the rider on the track too.

The design: cutting-edge aerodynamics

Aprilia Concept RS 660 stands out above all for its style, innovative and sophisticated, that stems from a series of aerodynamic studies. With a tendency born in the highest levels of racing, aerodynamics is currently under intense development in the motorcycle sector, so the Concept RS 660 is able to explore concepts such as aerodynamic load control.

Out of the work done in the wind tunnel and from the resulting solutions, the shape of a bike was born where the lines are an absolute and direct consequence of the functions. The variable front section, the air flow direction and the variable downforce values transformed into opportunities for the Style Centre which created ultra modern dynamic shapes.

The concept offers a comfortable riding position, thanks to the large saddle located on the sleek tail fairing, footpegs that are not too high and a pair of semi-handlebars mounted on top of the upper steering yoke. The result is a saddle-handlebar-footpeg triangulation that is sporty yet comfortable, to the advantage of riding pleasure and comfort.

Aprilia chassis architecture, quality bar-setter

Aprilia's know-how in packaging super fine chassis architectures is recognised the world over. In observance of this tradition, the Concept RS 660 Concept provides a magnificent structure made up of an aluminium frame and swingarm.

In the concept, the frame exploits the engine as a stressed element, contributing to form a compact and stiff structure. The right arm of the swingarm has a curved shape in order to all the exhaust terminal to pass. The particular mounting of the shock absorber allows outstanding progression to be obtained without using linkage, thereby cutting down on weight and making it a cleaner package overall.

The new parallel twin-cylinder for a new generation of bikes

RS 660 was born around the concept of a new engine that Aprilia engineers are already working on, a 660 cc parallel twin-cylinder, a very compact new generation unit derived from the 1100 cc V4 that powers the Tuono V4 and RSV4 1100 Factory. This configuration was chosen for its compact nature and efficiency, the extremely low level of heat transmitted to the rider and for the freedom that it leaves the designers to create a sleek and lightweight frame and suspension.

The RS 660 project is the development base for a wider range that intends to make Aprilia a key player in an extremely strategic market segment in Europe, but also in Asia and the American market.