Yamaha has released a teaser image hinting at a new CP3 engine, which is set to be revealed at EICMA later this year. While the company has not confirmed which motorcycle will use the new engine, the image could offer an important clue about its intended application.
The teaser shows a tachograph depicting the engine’s firing order. Unlike the current CP3 engine, which uses an even 240-degree interval between each cylinder’s power stroke, represented as 240°-240°-240°, the new configuration appears to have the first two power strokes closer together, followed by a noticeably longer gap before the third.
That uneven firing pattern bears some resemblance to Triumph’s T-plane engine, although the two configurations are not identical. Triumph introduced its T-plane concept in 2019 for the Tiger 900, later carrying it over to the Tiger 1200. The design uses crankpins positioned at 0°, 90° and 180°, combined with a 1-3-2 firing order. This creates two shorter gaps between firing pulses followed by a longer gap.
The resulting character gives Triumph’s triples a different feel across the rev range. At lower engine speeds, the uneven firing pulses make the engine feel more like a V-twin, while higher in the rev range it takes on the character of a more conventional three-cylinder engine. However, Triumph’s decision to use the T-plane configuration was primarily aimed at improving off-road performance. The previous Tiger 800’s smooth and free-revving triple worked well on the road, but that character was not necessarily ideal when riding through deep dirt and mud.
The T-plane concept was therefore developed to provide an engine response that could help the tyre dig into loose surfaces and maintain forward momentum in difficult off-road conditions. With Yamaha’s teaser seemingly showing a similarly uneven firing pattern, the question is what the company could be planning for its new triple.
A lumpy version of the CP3 would seem unlikely for a conventional sports bike or naked motorcycle, suggesting that an adventure application could be more likely. The teaser image itself appears to strengthen that possibility. Yamaha has accompanied the image with the words “REDEFINE THE STANDARD”. If the reference to “the standard” relates to Yamaha’s Ténéré range, it could potentially point towards a new CP3-powered Ténéré or even a larger Super Ténéré.
For now, Yamaha has not revealed which motorcycle will receive the new engine. The company could unveil the motorcycle itself at EICMA, or it may instead use the event to provide more details about the engine’s configuration and design.
