Mz Looks To the Future
MZ LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
MZ's DEAL TO PRODUCE 125cc streetbikes with the BSA Bantam nameplate could have one very substantial spin-off: development of a desmo Single!
The first fruits of MZ’s relationship with British engineer Al Meiling are about to be revealed. Melling’s all-new four-stroke Single now exists in prototype form, ready for testing during 1996 before the born-again Bantam is launched at the Cologne Show in September.
But also nearing the roadtesting stage is another Melling-designed four-stroke Single with liquid cooling and four desmodromically actuated valves. This engine will power the works Sound of Singles racers that MZ will campaign this season, as part of the development process leading up to a new range of desmo street Skorpions to be launched during 1997.
In other news, MZ boss PetrKarel Korous is strongly rumored to be close to clinching a multi-million-dollar deal with a Malaysian investor. Already involved in motorcycle production, the Asian company would take a substantial stake in MZ. If this happens, production of the new BSA Bantam would almost certainly be shifted to the Far East, to take advantage not only of lower production costs, but also of the booming local markets. There, the current fixation with two-strokes is about to be replaced by demand for small-capacity four-strokes, because of forthcoming emissions regulations and the latter’s better fuel economy.
A projected new factory in China could also see the BSA Bantam built there. MZ’s German base at Hohndorf would then be free to concentrate on manufacture of larger-capacity models, up to and including Korous’ pet project, the Kobra sportbike (“MZ’s Big Step,” CW, September, 1995). Plans call for this to feature a Melling-designed, liquidcooled, fuel-injected, lOOOcc, dohc Twin, replacing the Yamaha TDM/TRX850 motor that powered the prototype.
Due to uncertainty as to who exactly owns the rights to the BSA name in various countries around the world, Korous is considering building up MZ’s prestige by labelling the Kobra as an MZ rather than a BSA, and going Superbike racing with it before the end of the century. Watch this space.
Alan Cathcart
