ZXMOTO has shown great ambition by initiating a mechanical project considered unusual in the last decade, aiming to compete with established manufacturers. Zhang Xue, the company's founder, announced the development of a V5 engine with an approximate capacity of 1,000 cm³. Initially designed for a superbike racing motorcycle, the engine will also be adapted for a model homologated for public road use.
According to a report by the British publication Visordown, the information was confirmed by Zhang Xue via social media, detailing the work on a five-cylinder V-configuration engine with a volume close to one liter. So far, the brand has only communicated this advancement; the executive has not provided official data on power, dimensions, or a specific name for the motorcycle.
This new project comes after the launch of the ZXMOTO 1000RR and the 820RR, the latter of which already participates in the World Supersport Championship (WorldSSP), where ZXMOTO has registered victories.
The construction of a V5 engine is inherently more costly and technically complex compared to standardized solutions in the sector, such as inline four-cylinder engines or existing V4s, which easily exceed 200 hp. Thus, the choice of the V5 represents a purely engineering decision, not a response to the need for greater power.
The additional cylinder gives Zhang Xue greater flexibility to optimize aspects such as ignition intervals, power delivery, vibration characteristics, and the overall physical arrangement of the engine. However, this imposes significant challenges related to crankshaft balance and thermal management of the unit.
Although there are speculations in the Asian market suggesting capacities close to 1,100 cm³ and powers exceeding 210 hp, with rumors reaching 253 hp using a positive displacement compressor, all these figures lack official confirmation from ZXMoto, which has not disclosed guaranteed torque or power.
A V5 engine applied to two wheels brings to mind the Honda RC211V, introduced in 2002 to inaugurate the era of four-stroke engines in MotoGP. This 990 cm³ bike achieved world dominance with riders like Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden, but never had a version intended for street use. ZXMOTO intends to fill exactly this gap, taking a concept that remained restricted to competition for mass production.
Before being available on the streets, Zhang Xue plans to test the engine on tracks, aiming for a competitive debut in 2028. The strategy involves using competitions as a testing environment to verify the engine's durability before facing the rigorous emission and noise requirements necessary for road homologation. Currently, the project remains without confirmed displacement, power, or launch date, and there is no indication of its arrival in Brazil.
