Following KTM AG's journey since it declared bankruptcy at the start of the year has been wild. First, it was pulling out of MotoGP, then it wasn't, and more recently, a few rogue mechanical issues—like a chain flying off Pedro Acosta's bike mid-race—have led to speculation that KTM has already given up on progressing in MotoGP.
But the fact that the brand has just fired up an 850cc engine that's been designed for the new 2027 MotoGP ruleset should, at least somewhat, put the factory riders at ease. You've also got the fact that Guenther Steiner took over Tech3, which currently uses KTM machinery, so the brand showing that it has an engine on the way for 2027 could also help to ensure Steiner keeps using the machinery after the contract ends in 2026.
The initial dyno run of the 850cc powerplant took place at the dyno facility at the company’s Austrian HQ in Mattighofen, Austria, and the company's current CEO, Gottfried Neumeister, was there to witness the new unit firing into life.
