MV Agusta F4Z, a first time by Zagato [VIDEO INTERVIEW] and exclusive photos

Photoshoot: ENGINEER

MV Agusta F4Z by Zagato – A motorbike, or perhaps better yet a sculpture, which divides between those who adore it and those who see it as too outside the box. This first experiment certainly aroused quite a bit of interest and, at least it seems, it could have a sequel. However, let's take a step back, to about a year ago, to the moment in which the idea that then produced this sculpture on two wheels began. It all started with a wealthy Japanese client of the Zagato atelier, who already owned cars commissioned from the Italian designer (it is said that there are even 5 or 6), including the Mostro, powered by the Maserati V8 and inspired by the 450 1957S Coupé Costin-Zagato.

Among these wonderful cars, some are owned by the client of the F4Z

The customer, who we are told prefers to remain anonymous, is a motorbike enthusiast as well as a car enthusiast. Hence his request to create a two-wheeled one-off, touching on a topic where the Milanese company was essentially making its first appearance. In fact, apart from a few timid experiments, never before had there been a real, functioning motorcycle entirely designed by Zagato.. The first decision on the way to creating it was the choice of the model from which to start. Here the customer has indicated a Brand, whose headquarters are also a few tens of kilometers away. MV Agusta is a historic brand, very interested in extreme customizations, which in recent years has seen the birth of limited series such as the MV Agusta LH44 Dragster RR by Lewis Hamilton (244 examples – you can see it in this article), or the one-off for rapper J-AX (here the link) and again the AGO TT, created in collaboration with Deus Ex Machina USA to celebrate the myth of Giacomo Agostini (you can find it described here). The request therefore could not have been better and the Schiranna company immediately agreed to collaborate and a "standard" F4 was delivered to Zagato to start seeing the project first-hand, as well as 3D technical diagrams, necessary to work on the dimensions and constraints for the design of the external shapes of the F4Z.

During our interview, the chief designer of the Milanese atelier, Norihiko Harada, told us about the different needs between the automotive and two-wheel sectors. “Dressing” a motorcycle is obviously very different and the mechanics have a more direct link with the superstructures, becoming the protagonist of the final look, while for a car it influences it only marginally.

In addition to this, the client is obviously another important "constraint", because if whoever designed the bike essentially had carte blanche on its shapes, Norihiko Harada knows his personal taste well, having worked for him on more than one car in the past. As he himself tells us, he is a person who appreciates the classics of the past rather than the fashions of the moment. A chat between client and designer has Than we given Norihiko the necessary elements for a first definition of the F4Z sketches.

Go from one drawing to a real product, industrialized even if only for a single example, the step was anything but simple. It took them though only 8 months to go from the idea to the finished motorbike, also due to the need and desire to participate in the Chantilly Arts & Elegance competition of last September 4th. Here she won a special jury prize, as well as being led for the occasion by a biker dressed in a suit similar to that of the Japanese client of the motorbike, specially made by her Dainese. Once the interview with its designer was concluded, we then moved to the MV headquarters in Schiranna, where the F4Z was located, waiting to be delivered to its owner.

We had seen it in the photo, and it was already clear that it was a design object, unique and with a certain impactwhether you like it or not. In person, however, the F4Z manages to surprise quite a bit. We particularly appreciated it obsessive care with which it was created. Every detail has a story and often contains an anecdote, as he tells us Matteo Maresi, communication manager of MV Agusta. He himself, for example, takes part of the paternity of the choice of the three small LEDs that make up the rear light, with the central one acting as the position light and the two lateral ones for the brake light.

If from some points of view the F4Z highlights the clear absence of requirements for its approval for road use (it lacks mirrors, direction indicators and has an exhaust which to define as street legal is blasphemy), from The more you look at it closely, the more difficult it becomes to believe that it is a unique piece. It seems so perfect that, without knowing its history, you might think that it is an industrial product, rather than the result of a strictly artisanal manufacturing of a unique piece.

The masterpiece is that big tank which constitutes the central element of the design, around which the lines of the rest of the superstructures were then drawn. The cap with a crown frame perfectly set in the tank, is sensational in person, the final result is truly astonishing. Similarities with other bikes, at least obvious ones, are difficult to find, although more than one has pointed out some stylistic references to the Suzuki Katana of the late '70s, for that narrow, low and forward-leaning nose, combined with a single headlight and a small fairing.

Certainly if you look at the photos you may perhaps find some element in common, but defining it as a similarity is very difficult. His father and designer, Norihiko Harada candidly admits that by taking some bikes from the past someone could find points of contact, but perhaps this is where the art of a designer lies. The F4Z doesn't really look like any motorcycle you've ever seen, but it has that taste and flavor of choices that have a distant origin in some motorcycles of the past. In addition to the superstructures, the mechanics are 100% those of the F4, from which it derives, including the instrumentation.

This is perfectly integrated into a completely new framework, with its asymmetrical line completed by the ignition lock, located on the left side. The only mechanical part that has been modified is the exhaust, replaced by a new solution, both for aesthetic purposes, but also to give the right voice to the F4Z. In fact, the catalyst and silencer have been eliminated, given that it is not an approved example, with a result that will give you goosebumps to say the least.

Here is the video with the ignition and the fantastic sound of the MV Agusta F4Z by Zagato

In our turn-on test we were unable to do justice to the crazy sound achieved with this modification. To be honest, the F4Z would require fine tuning work on the electronics, given the presence of a completely new air box, as well as this artisanal exhaust, but the bike works and has no major power delivery problems as it is. This is a great result for a one-off that does not aspire to become a street-legal motorcycle for free movement, which could therefore easily also be a merely static object.

We sensed an enthusiasm around the MV Agusta F4Z from all those who worked on the project. This was therefore a first experience, which could open up new scenarios. We caught it in the words of our interlocutors, both during our visit to Zagato, but also around Schiranna, where after one of the most complicated years of the last few, it seems that we are starting to glimpse the end of the tunnel that led to repeated blockages of the assembly line due to well-known liquidity problems. With the start of the restructuring of the company, it seems with the current structure, given that the never-denied rumors of a possible acquisition by the Polaris Group have not subsequently resulted in anything concrete, some idea of ​​collaboration could arise between these two all-Italian excellences, obviously still to be understood in which direction.

Certainly though the F4Z cannot be replicated, given that the project is owned by its client, which should authorize the creation of other specimens. Many will be curious to know about it the price, even if the exclusivity of such an object has no value, as well as the fact that it was essentially an important first time for Zagato. None of the parties wanted to make it known, in compliance with the wishes of their client, but some well-informed people speak of a cost of approximately 250 thousand euros, including the F4 on the basis of which the “Z” was created.