Marco Bezzecchi
KTM have now beaten their rival MotoGP teams to run an 850cc bike on a track, after Pol Espargaro got some laps around Jerez with their package for the 2027 regulations.
The 2025 MotoGP season has only just concluded, with Marc Marquez the champion for the first time since 2019. Pedro Acosta was the top KTM rider in 2025, as he sealed fourth place in the standings. KTM clinched third in the constructors’, plus fourth in the teams’ standings.
But teams are already looking ahead to 2027, even more so than 2026, with MotoGP set to introduce a host of regulation changes. MotoGP will reduce engine capacities from 1,000cc to 850cc, along with banning ride height devices and reducing the aerodynamic elements.
KTM test rider and 31-time premier class Grand Prix winner Dani Pedrosa believes MotoGP’s 2027 regulations will create more unpredictability, as well, as holeshot devices are also due to be outlawed. But the biggest change with the 2027 regulations will be the 850cc engines.
MotoGP fans celebrate the ‘angry’ sound of KTM’s 850cc engine for the 2027 regulations
MotoGP engines will remain four cylinders and four-stroke under the 2027 regulations. The rules will, however, reduce the maximum size of the cylinder bore from 81mm to 75mm. It is a big challenge for all of the constructors, so KTM have sought to get ahead of the curve.
READ MORE: Everything to know about KTM from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy
What do you make of KTM’s 850cc engine after its first track outing?
KTM have now become the first MotoGP squad to run an 850cc bike on a track, as test rider Espargaro has taken to Jerez aboard their latest prototype. The 34-year-old shared footage from the test on Instagram, in which it can also be seen that the fairing is smaller and flatter.
Espargaro also captioned his Instagram post: “Hear that? The future just fired up! Our 850cc is alive, and it’s ready to race!” Maverick Vinales, Marco Melandri and Jonas Folger replied to his post with a fire emoji, and MotoGP fans celebrated the noise from KTM’s 850cc engine.
One fan replied, “How wonderful it sounds,” while another added: “Sounds awesome, even though it’s missing 150cc!” One MotoGP fan even said KTM’s 850cc engine, “sounds like the 1,000cc!” Another fan also replied to Espargaro’s post, noting: “The future sounds angry.”
The 850cc KTM engine appears to rev very high, akin to what MotoGP engines sounded like in the 800cc era between 2007 and 2011. So, one fan claimed that it, “Sounds like a higher redline. I like it!” MotoGP scrapped 800cc engines due to the need for complex electronics.
A fan also likened MotoGP’s move to 850cc engines to F1’s move to 1.6L V6 turbo-hybrids in 2014 after hearing KTM’s unit. They said: “Thank god, that’s great to hear. I thought MotoGP might have gone all F1 on us and destroyed the sport with silly quiet engines.”
KTM’s 850cc engine excites MotoGP fans, but the team’s future is still uncertain
What MotoGP rule would you like to see Liberty Media change?
F1 introduced complex hybrid 1.6L V6 engines in 2014, which received widespread criticism at the time for removing the roar four-wheeled fans adored from the V8 era since 2006. The noise also paled in comparison to the screaming V10 engines used between 1995 and 2005.
But MotoGP appears to have avoided such a situation with its move to 850cc engines, going by the footage that Espargaro released from KTM’s private test at Jerez. Although, a lot can still change before the 850cc engines roar into life for their first race come the start of 2027.
There are also still question marks hovering over the factory in Munderfing, as Bajaj has put the KTM MotoGP team up for sale for £88m. The Indian automotive giant does not rule out selling the outfit, with KTM keen to secure fresh investment by Christmas as Bajaj cuts costs.
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