Ducati’s bike design is simply sexy to me but just the design. I never really buy the idea of Ducati with its V-twin engine. They were never fast enough for me. And it seems to me their engineer keeps on looking for a solution to beat the 4 cylinders. The launch of 899; oh blimey not enough power, add more CC into it and it became 959. 1199, not enough power, add few more CCs into it and it became the current 1,299. That was what Ducati is all about to me. Get a grip!
2 years ago, during the MotoGP in Sepang, I have insider news that Ducati is actually working on a V4. And today, Ducati finally launch a proper superbike that comes with 214 horses, but again with slightly larger 1103 cc engine derived directly from the MotoGP Desmosedici.
So what you need to know about the new Ducati Panigale V4?
It comes with 3 versions.
Ducati launched 3 versions of the new V4. The standard Panigale V4, Panigale V4 S, and Panigale V4 Speciale.
Whats the difference?
Panigale V4 S: it has everything the standard has except it also comes with electronic suspension from Öhlins, in the form of the Öhlins NIX-30 forks and Öhlins TTX36 shock, as well as the Öhlins steering damper. It also features a lithium-ion battery, forged aluminum Marchesini wheels, and a cast magnesium subframe (the base model subframe is made out of aluminum). This brings the weight on the Panigale V4 S down to 383 lbs dry (430 lbs wet).
Panigale V4 Speciale: It has everything the V4 S has except it comes with a whopping 226 horses thanks to the included Akrapovic titanium exhaust. The weight was further reduced thanks to heaps of carbon fiber parts and it you were to purchase and optional magnesium wheels, the V4 Speciale strip off 10kg from the standard V4 to only 164kg dry.
Facts & Figures
Panigale V4
Colour
• Ducati Red with grey frame and black wheels
Main standard features
• New Desmosedici Stradale engine, 1,103 cm3
• New “Front Frame”
• Cast Magnesium alloy front sub frame
• 43 mm Showa Big Piston Forks (BPF), fully adjustable o Sachs monoshock, fully adjustable o Sachs steering damper
• Latest-generation electronic package with 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (6D IMU): ABS Cornering Bosch EVO; Ducati Traction Control EVO (DTC EVO); Ducati Slide Control (DSC); Ducati Wheelie Control EVO (DWC EVO); Ducati Power Launch (DPL); Ducati Quick Shift up/down EVO (DQS EVO); Engine Brake Control EVO (EBC EVO)
• Buttons for quick level shifting
• Riding Modes (Race, Sport, Street)
• 16 litre aluminium tank
• 5″ full-TFT dashboard
• Full-LED headlight with DRL
• Two-seater configuration kit
• Braking system with new Brembo Stylema® monobloc calipers
• New Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tyres, 200/60 at the rear
• Pre-setting for Ducati Data Analyser + GPS (DDA + GPS) and Ducati Multimedia System (DMS)
Panigale V4 S
Colour
• Ducati Red with grey frame and black wheels
Same standard features as the Panigale V4 with the exception of:
• Suspension and steering damper with Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 system
• Öhlins NIX-30 forks
• Öhlins TTX 36 shock absorber
• Öhlins steering damper
• Aluminium forged wheels
• Lithium-ion battery
Panigale V4 Speciale
Colour
• “Speciale” colour scheme with grey frame and black wheels
Same standard features as the Panigale V4 S with the exception of:
• Carbon fibre front/rear mudguards
• Machined-from-solid top yoke with identification number
• Alcantara® seat
• Dedicated handle grips
• Adjustable foot pegs
• Carbon fiber heel guard
• Carbon fiber cover swinging arm
• Racing articulated levers
• Brake level protection
Supplied kit:
• Full racing titanium Ducati Performance by Akrapovič exhaust system
• Racing screen
• Plate holder removal kit
• Machined-from solid mirror replacement plugs
• Ducati Data Analyser+ GPS (DDA + GPS)
• Bike cover
• Racing fuel tank cap
