As everyone is caught up in a whirlwind of new ADVs being unveiled (leaked, mostly), an Aprilia 450 twin-cylinder has been registered in the Africa Eco Race, ridden by the rider Marco Menichini. I wonder what it could be. The Tuareg badging says a lot, while the grainy-looking 457 on the rear says even more.
Ever since the launch of the Aprilia RS 457, there has been talk about the Italian manufacturer looking to use the same engine platform to bring in a Tuono 457 and a Tuareg 457. The latter is in the works, and a recent social media post by Jacopo Cerutti confirms it. Developed by the official Aprilia rally team, it should feature the new 457 twin-cylinder engine from the RS 457, appropriately modified by the Italian technicians.
The motorcycle seems to have a 21-17 wire-spoked wheel setup, complimented by a long-travel USD front fork. The engine pushes power figures of 47 bhp at 9400 rpm and 4.43 kgm of torque at 6700 rpm on the RS 457, but this could see some changes in the Tuareg. While there are no other specs available on the motorcycle, it looks to be quite promising.
With EICMA 2024 right around the corner, we could, in all possibility, see an unveiling of the Tuareg 457. Furthermore, the motorcycle could be a worthy rival to the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, which, coincidentally, is also being prepared for the Dakar rally, piloted by none other than CS Santosh.
