MV Agusta bikes to share showrooms with Mercedes-AMG in Australia

The high-end bikes and part-owner's AMG performance vehicles will share space on showroom floors in Australia.

MV Agusta motorbikes will share floor space with Mercedes-Benz's performance cars displayed in the 11 AMG Performance Centres due to open here by year's end.

The announcement is the first local collaboration between the two brands since Benz bought a 25 per cent stake in the Italian motorbike maker late last year and coincides with the launch of the exotic F4 RC world superbike replica and an 800cc Turismo Veloce tourer.

Just 250 of the $56,000 RC machines have been built and the Australian allocation of 12-15 (final numbers are still being determined) has been sold, including one to Benz's Driving Academy chief instructor and GT racer Peter Hackett.

MV Agusta is renowned for building high-end three and four-cylinder sportsbikes that are as much works of art as they are engineering exercises. The boutique bike maker released its first bike in 1945 and had huge success in racing, winning 17 consecutive world titles from 1958 with the likes of John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini and Phil Read in the saddle.

The Europeans realised cashed-up bike owners also buy performance cars

The brand folded in 1980 but was reprised in 1997 and then had a succession of owners, including Harley-Davidson. H-D sold the marque in 2010, marking the modern renaissance of the brand.

Benz's decision to invest in the brand followed Audi's buyout of Ducati and massive growth for BMW's Motorrad division as the Europeans realised cashed-up bike owners also buy performance cars.

Mercedes-Benz Australia managing director Horst von Sanden says the Agusta-AMG partnership will help both brands boost sales.

The common focus, he says, is on "engineering, craftsmanship and racing."

MV Agusta sold 10,000 bikes last year. In Australia regular model prices range from $15,799 for the F3 675 to $27,999 for the Brutale Corsa.

Urbanmoto took over local distribution in February and expects to quadruple sales with a 16-model line-up. The company's racing division is 14th in the world superbike standings.