STEFANO CEPPIADVANCED DESIGNER
01
HERO
Hero

MV AGUSTA
T4312

Electric reinterpretation.
Tamburini’s design legacy.

A personal design exploration conceived after Massimo Tamburini’s passing: rethinking the expressive character of an MV Agusta naked motorcycle through electric propulsion, radical packaging and sculptural bodywork.

Industrial design / concept development / 3D visualisation

MV Agusta T4312 electric concept, three-quarter studio rendering
02
VISION
Vision

HONOURING
AN ICON

Rather than translating a combustion motorcycle literally into an electric one, the project asks how the distinctive aggression, mechanical drama and visual identity associated with MV Agusta could evolve.

The intention: retain a recognisable emotional character while making the electric architecture visible.

The starting point was the original Brutale's tank profile and the visual tension of Tamburini's work. Historical MV references informed the study, without treating heritage as a fixed shape to reproduce.

The key design decision was to preserve the muscular upper volume while giving the lower half a new architectural identity for electric propulsion.

03
ERGONOMICS
ARCHITECTURE STUDIES

SKETCHING
THE ARCHITECTURE

The motorcycle architecture was defined through early overlays and successive sketches, studying the relationship between tank, seat, rider position, battery volume, structural lines and wheel proportions.

Packaging and ergonomics were developed together: a compact, lightweight and approachable naked-bike concept, designed to feel playful and manageable for riders of different builds, including women, while retaining the muscular character, performance ambitions and comfort expected of an MV Agusta.

The sketches examine reach to the handlebars, seat contact, knee clearance and the balance of the central mass. Small changes in proportions informed the evolving layout before the detailed electric packaging was refined.

Packaging development: rider ergonomics and positioning, with wheelbase definition for the chassis.
Packaging development: rider ergonomics and positioning, with wheelbase definition for the chassis.
Early design overlay establishing initial body lines over the engineered packaging and dimensions
Early design overlay — defining the first body lines on the engineered packaging
/ HUMAN INTERFACE

DESIGNING THE RIDER INTERFACE

From a UX and UI perspective, the instrument cluster was designed to be minimal yet rich in essential information. Speed, battery status and riding data are clearly organised and visually prioritised for quick, intuitive reading while the motorcycle is in motion.

The second study focuses on the handlebar grips: different textures, profiles and palm-support geometries were compared to improve tactile feedback, perceived comfort and control. The selected solution combines a shaped rubber grip with a precise metal end detail.

Minimal red instrument cluster with clearly distributed essential riding information
Instrument cluster — essential information, hierarchy and legibility in motion
Handlebar grip alternatives, texture and palm-support geometry
Grip design — alternative textures, profiles and selected palm-support solution
05
FORM DEVELOPMENT
Form development

REFINING
THE LANGUAGE

Progressive sketch refinement established the signature frontal volumes, side intakes, exposed metallic fins and sharply tapered tail.

Details were evaluated in relation to the complete silhouette, rather than as independent styling features.

Design evolution, rider and rear wheel concepts
Design evolution, rider and rear wheel concepts
Further concept exploration and proportions
Further concept exploration and proportions
/ DESIGN LANGUAGE

THE COBRA SILHOUETTE

The 'Cobra' direction explores a flowing, forward-loaded profile: a broad upper mass, narrow waist and a tail drawn into a sharp, lightweight gesture.

Top, side and rear studies were compared to ensure that the selected surfaces worked as one coherent volume rather than as isolated styling details.

Original shape board: top view, Cobra concept, tail and hubless-wheel exploration
Original shape board: top view, Cobra concept, tail and hubless-wheel exploration
Detail from the original board: central mass and side-volume exploration
Detail from the original board: central mass and side-volume exploration
/ LIGHTING

A NEW HEADLIGHT SIGNATURE

The headlight retains a visual connection with the Brutale's recognisable front identity while moving toward a sharper, drop-shaped interpretation.

The design board proposes a central polyellipsoidal lens and two lateral LED strips. Front and three-quarter studies check the graphic signature against the fork and front bodywork.

Original headlight design board — side and front views
06
3D DEVELOPMENT
3D development

FROM DRAWING
TO DIGITAL MODEL

Digital modelling made it possible to test the surfaces, transitions and packaging in three dimensions. Iterations focused on bodywork intersections, the central enclosure, the rear structure and the stance of the motorcycle.

The images document development stages rather than implying a fully engineered production vehicle.

Digital modelling screenshot — working geometry
Digital modelling screenshot — working geometry
3D concept visualisation
3D concept visualisation
07
PHYSICAL STUDIES
Physical studies

TESTING
THE TANK VOLUME

Physical scale studies are the next stage of the story: comparing alternative tank volumes, checking the relationship to the seat and verifying the visual balance of the central mass.

Photographs of physical or 3D-printed prototypes will be inserted only when real documentation is available.

mv-t4312-archive-context.jpgPhysical study — landscape photograph

PHYSICAL VOLUME STUDIES

01 / Compare the tank silhouette at small scale

02 / Check the transition between tank, seat and frame

03 / Evaluate side-volume clearance and perceived mass

04 / Photograph and document actual 3D-printed iterations

mv-t4312-archive-context2.jpgPhysical study — portrait photograph
08
FINAL CONCEPT
Final concept

A NEW
ELECTRIC ATTITUDE

The final proposal combines red sculptural bodywork, a visually expressive electric core and an uncompromising stance.

A speculative design exercise celebrating Tamburini’s influence while exploring a different technological future.

Final T4312 design, high angle studio view
MV Agusta T4312 — final three-quarter perspective
09
DESIGN DRIVERS
Design drivers

FROM DNA
TO DECISIONS

Three priorities guided the proposal: an unmistakable front identity, a compact central mass and a dramatic rear silhouette.

The battery enclosure is treated as a defining visual element, not a hidden technical box. Repeated metallic channels establish rhythm and suggest the management of airflow and heat.

Original design board showing front view, battery module, chassis and rear development
10
IN CONTEXT
In context

DESIGN
IN MOTION

Visualisations place the concept in use and communicate the intended relationship between rider, machine and environment.

These are concept images, not photographs of a manufactured motorcycle.

AI-GENERATED VISUALISATIONS
AI-GENERATED VISUALISATIONS
11
OUTCOME
Outcome

PROCESS
AND PERSPECTIVE

The project connects hand sketching, digital surfacing, packaging exploration and visual storytelling. Its purpose is to show how an initial design vision is tested, refined and communicated.

Further documentation of the physical tank studies will complete the prototyping chapter.

The electric MV Agusta concept was very well received at MV Agusta and opened the door to a collaboration with the MV Agusta Racing Department on innovative components. My main contact was Claudio Quintarelli, Team Manager of the MV Agusta Factory Racing team in Supersport and Superbike. Our professional collaboration also developed into a lasting friendship.

Final design rendering — biker with MV Agusta concept in an urban setting
Final design render
Final design render
Final design render
12
PRESS
Press

FEATURED
IN THE PRESS

MV Agusta Brutale Z 4312 — the vision of Stefano Ceppi, featured on Motoblog.

READ THE ARTICLE ↗
MOTOBLOG / PRESS FEATUREMV AGUSTA
BRUTALE Z 4312
READ THE ARTICLE ↗