The Spanish duo super riders of Repsol Honda team, Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez unveiled the new liveried 2013 Honda RC213V in Madrid, Spain. Both these riders will be riding on the new machine of Honda representing the official Honda racing team in the forthcoming season of MotoGP. The event was beautified by the presence of Repsol Chairman and CEO, Antonio Brufau, Executive Vice President of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), Shuhei Nakamoto, and Dorna CEO, Carmelo Ezpeleta.
"We again have a strong lineup in 2013. Dani Pedrosa had a fantastic 2012 and will start this year even more motivated. Marc Márquez is a great talent and I am sure that it will not be long before we see him on the podium. I am very happy with our new team structure and everyone in HRC will continue to work hard on the development of this bike, in order to give the riders the best chance of victory," commented Nakamoto.
Honda was rewarded amble timing to renovate the new-liveried machine rather than some mere modification on board. The giant has done a great job in altering few improvement to its key spec mass centralisation. With this the rider better manoeuvrability, stability, agility and grip to the wheelies. To ensure the best drive, the firm has modified the twin-spar aluminium chassis and this results even better handling and stability at high speeds.
The racing manufacturer has also joined some tuning in the 2013 version's engine. The 2013 Honda RCV213V is equipped with a 1000 cc, V4 engine that generates a maximum power of 230 bhp. This new engine is lighter, has lower friction and has more fuel economy than its predecessor. The company has already reported impressive results after a 2000 km durability test of the new engine. Along with the upgraded machine comes with new and highly advanced Ohlins fork and shock, new carbonfibre bodywork, carbonfibre brake discs from Brembo, and 16.5-inch wheels shod with 125/60 (front) and 190/65 (rear) Bridgestone slicks.
"I am very happy to have been here at Campus Repsol today, and to have been the one unveiling the bike and its new livery. We'd run with the old design for a long time and I think that now is a good moment for a change. This year's bike has a fresh touch to it, which can give us a boost at the races. I hope the fans like it too. I'm starting this pre-season really keen. I can't wait to get to Malaysia and to have a few days to put the bike through its paces, enjoy myself and see which parts we are going to use for the opening race, as in the Valencia test after the last race of 2012 we had so much rain that we couldn't do much," said Dani Pedrosa.
"I am very happy to have presented the new colour scheme for my move up from Moto2 to MotoGP. Seeing the bike painted with the Repsol and HRC logos makes you feel very satisfied with this new step forward –it makes you realise what a dream-come-true it is. I'm like a kid with new shoes! I enjoyed the atmosphere of the presentation at Campus Repsol and I was able to see that the press attention for MotoGP is light years ahead of that for Moto2. We'll adapt to this, little-by-little. In the end, the important thing is what happens on the track, so I can't wait for the Malaysia tests to start," said Marc Márquez.
The 2013 MotoGP will start at the Losail International Circuit, in Qatar, on 7th April.