A German scooter shop, relatively unknown outside their homeland, has just smashed the 100 bhp barrier using their very own twin cylinder Lambretta engine project.
As far as we’re aware, this makes this the most powerful Lambretta engine in the world.
An early 3D print of the concept
Full bodywork
This unique concept was designed and built by Lutz; it took more than a year just to build the digital twin in CAD! The thing that sets this apart from anything else out there though is the “One part fusion-twin-crankshaft” which allows the kit to be fitted in a similar fashion to a single cylinder engine. It can also be taken back to original, there is no machining on the engine casing. Lutz told us “Even Frederico, the developer of the Chimera kit, called it Genius.”
Furthermore, the twin can fit under the standard bodywork of a Series 3 Lambretta, which kind of suggests this could become a kit for the general public to buy.
Lambretta Lutz
Ben at AF Rayspeed tipped us off about this engine a couple of weeks ago; at the time, it had ‘only’ reached 95 bhp. Ben was quite proud because, amongst many other components, it uses one of the AF Python clutches.
The engine in question was designed and built by Lambretta Lutz. They’d posted the video above, showing Lutz hitting 96.6 PS (95.2 bhp) with 82.8 Nm of torque. But Lutz wasn’t going to settle for that. Read on to see his very excited dyno below…
The big bore Banshee cylinders in their ‘standard’ state of tune, nothing on this engine is standard…
Raging Banshee
Let’s find out a bit more about the engine. It’s based on original Lambretta casings with a patented, own design twin concept. Sitting on top of it are a pair of modified 421cc Assassin 2 cylinders. They’re more often found on a Yamaha Banshee than a Lambretta.
What kind of spec gets you to 100bhp?
This engine is based on a unique ‘bolt-on twin concept by Lutz Lambretta. Surprisingly, it still uses an original Li 125 Series 2 casing – reinforced with an “Invisible Powerbeam.”
Double Lutz setup
Double Lutz engine with flange-mounted casing; adapter plate; centre bearing adapter and twin kit with 58/125 mm fusion crankshaft – one-piece welded all by Lambretta-Lutz.com
- Athena Big Bore – 421 cc, modified
- VF4 and 38 mm Mikuni
- 2-into-2 Chimera exhaust
- Modified radiator – RD Sport with electric water pump
- Ignition – Scootopia complete, DL crank – without mass ring, without flywheel
- CDI and twin coil from the Targa Twin – the ignition can/will also be converted to floating ground on DC, then used together with a VAPE DC regulator
Drivetrain
- Li 125 Series 2 casing – reinforced with invisible Powerbeam
- Front sprocket fixing – original Innocenti – reinforced cush spring
- Final drive ratio 21/46 – Li 150 original gearbox
- Clutch – AF Rayspeed Python 8 modified
- Casa chain tensioner
- Mainshaft – original Innocenti
- Brake drum – original Innocenti
Smashed it with 105bhp
After some extra work, not only has Lutz broken the 100bhp barrier, making it the most powerful Lambretta engine on the planet, but he absolutely smashed it. His record-breaking run achieved 106.4 PS, equivalent to 104.9 bhp, with 95.1 Nm of torque on tap; this vehicle could climb walls!
Laughing all the way to the record books
In this configuration, Lutz runs Nitrous Oxide. Without it, running pump fuel, he says he can achieve around 78bhp; however, this isn’t the end of the story. Lutz is building a new motor using Uni 200 casings and Assassin cylinders. He says he’s aiming for 100 bhp on pump fuel with that one, and it could hit 120 bhp with NOS…
We’ll be following this story with interest…
