Brutale 800 RR LH44 auctioned for charity

MV Agusta donated a limited edition Brutale 800 RR LH44 to the Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), to be auctioned off at the Cannes Film Festival gala event.

The Brutale 800 RR LH44 is a limited edition series of only 144 units. It is inspired by and designed in collaboration with 5-time and current Formula 1 World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, hence the LH44 name. Lewis Hamilton is also the amfAR Gala Cannes Event Chair.

The inline 3-cylinder motorcycle produces 140 PS. The specific motorcycle donated to amfAR is serial number 44 (Lewis Hamilton's racing number).

This is not Hamilton's first collaboration with MV Agusta, as he has worked with them in the past to produce a limited edition Dragster and F4.

The bike was auctioned off at the Cannes Gala, held at prestigious Hotel du CapEden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes. It was sold for more than six times its retail price (US$27,000), which amounts to roughly US$162,000.

amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy.

Over the years, amfAR has managed to raise more than $220 million through their yearly gala auction in Cannes, funding AIDS research around the world. This year's 26th amfAR gala auction also featured a number of paintings, sculptures and other highly exclusive items.