Viper confirms Ilmor engine deal

Race engine company to produce new hi-spec V-twin motor

US-BASED Viper Motorcycle Company and Ilmor Engineering have confirmed an engine manufacturing agreement outlined in at the back end of 2009.

As reported on Visordown last year, Viper Motorcycle Company and Ilmor will join forces to manufacture an Ilmor designed and developed Viper Motorcycle 152 cubic inch V-Twin engine.

The Ilmor version of the Viper billet engine will be manufactured and assembled by Ilmor in the USA, and will be co-branded with the famous racing company's name. Viper Motorcycles and Ilmor will also provide cross-marketing support to promote the relationship.

John R. Silseth II, Viper Powersports CEO: "We anticipate a public launch of this exciting product in May 2010. The Ilmor-Viper JV allows Viper to increase production and take its rightful place as a premiere American OEM of high performance cruiser motorcycles. The resulting product from this JV has no equal in the marketplace."

Paul Ray, Ilmor Engineering, Inc. President: "This is a very promising start to the New Year. Our relationship with Viper Motorcycle Company grew tremendously in 2009 and we are very enthusiastic about getting the last details of the new engine design completed. Manufacturing of parts for the Viper-Ilmor V-Twin engine has already begun and we could be running on our test bench as soon as the end of Feb 2010."