This is Guzzi’s new smallblock

Would you believe that Moto Guzzi’s definitive 700cc 90º v-twin began life as a conceptual powertrain for the original Fiat 500? Since its introduction in 1977 it’s gone through many iterations, none prettier than this latest.

It’s hard to put a finger on what makes this new 744cc so distinctive. Nothing intrudes on the cleanly-designed cylinder heads but the exhausts. Over last year’s engine, the plug leads are disappeared, as are the two throttle bodies, replaced by a single, central manifold. That makes Guzzi’s distinctive longitudinal V-twin as absolutely pretty as possible. Aside from the looks, there’s also an increase in compression and a subsequent boost in power to 51bhp and 43lb/ft.

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