Ducati Panigale V4 Unveiled

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02 PANIGALE V4 S

Months after unveiling the Desmosedici Stradale engine, the wraps have officially come of the entire Ducati Panigale V4 in Milan. Or should I say V4s as, unsurprisingly, there are three of the beautiful buggers up for grabs, brimming with the latest Gucci technology: the base model Panigale V4, the S version, and a limited-edition ‘Speciale’ that’s clearly aimed at affluent trackday pilots.

The major news is that 1,103cc V4 powerplant housed in a tweaked Panigale chassis, which utilises Bologna’s Desmodromic valve system, twin pulse ignition and a counter-rotating crank (very MV Agusta) that should liven things up somewhat. Churning out a claimed 214bhp at 13,000rpm with the same 81mm bore as Dovi’s MotoGP prototype, Ducati says the power-to-weight ratio is a class-leading 1:1. It’s also the biggest bore in the supersport segment – no shock given the cheaty cubes. . With a redline at 14,000rpm and an astonishingly high compression ratio of 14:1, the V4 also uses a variable inlet system (a first for Ducati). But check this: with the optional titanium Akrapovic exhaust fitted, the V4 will produce 226bhp. Wowzers.

In order to accommodate the new engine and its extra dollop of horsepower, Ducati has added a ‘front frame’ to the monocoque arrangement which weighs just 4.4kg. It’s now a semi, not a full monocoque, and attaches to both cylinder heads. This allows torsional and lateral rigidity to be separated and optimum chassis tuning. The swingarm is still fixed directly to the rear of the engine, a la 1299.

The V4’s rake remains at 24.5 degrees but trail has been upped to 100mm (previously 96mm on the 1299), and the new Panigale has been salad dodging, now with a claimed kerb weight of 195kg – the dry figure is now 174kg. To offset some of this extra timber, the fuel tank is now 16L (place your bets for fuel range) and is made from lightweight aluminium, sitting further back in the bike and under stretching further under the seat. The space previously occupied by gas is now a home for the smorgasbord of electronics.

Other chassis highlights include new Brembo Stylema Monobloc calipers, which are the latest development from the ball-busting M50s. And there are new Pirelli Supercorsa SP tyres, which are being debuted on the Panigale V4 and feature an SC2 shoulder compound, a resized rear hoop and a few other updates.

 

– Ducati Panigale V4 • £19,250

The base model wears 43mm Showa BPF forks and a Sachs shock, and comes laden with the latest generation electronics package controlled by a new 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit. Cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, launch control, quickshifter + blipper, engine braking control AND Ducati slide control – technology that’s made Yamaha’s R1 so damn sexy. Debuted on the Multistrada, the V4 also features Ducati Multimedia system, which allows incoming calls, music selection and SMS via Bluetooth. Perfect for sub-50s laps of Brands Indy.

03 PANIGALE V4 (1)

– Ducati Panigale V4 S • £23, 895

As with previous S models, the Panigale V4 S is treated to top-shelf Öhlins suspension and lighter aluminium forged Marchesinis. The S uses new Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 electronic trickery, housed in NIX30 forks and a TTX46 shock. There’s also a lithium-ion battery and a magnesium front subframe.

 

– Ducati Panigale V4 Speciale • £34,995

The limited-edition Speciale (only 1500 being built) is a jazzed-up S model with a host of lighter, go-faster goodies such as carbon fibre mudguards and adjustable rearsets, and weighs 10kg less with all the bolt-ons fitted . You get the full titanium Akrapovic exhaust (so 226bhp), a racing screen, and Ducati’s Data Analyser among other track-focused nuggets. Oh, and an Alcantara seat.

The launch is in January and they’ll be hitting dealers soon after. We’re nursing chubby ones till then…

3 Responses

  1. Wow, this bike actually makes 19 grand actually reasonable. The sound is unbelievable, the looks are slight downhill in my eyes compared to the 1299, but it still looks good, and boy does that engine make up for it. I wonder if they will build a smaller cc v4 (ie. 959 replacement). Then for me that will definetely be a contender for a first Ducati purchase, as I dont trust myself with 214 bhp.

  2. £20K+ for a bike before you upgrade the exhaust is getting a bit silly. As is 226bhp. How often do you get to put down 200 ponies anyway.

    And horsepower at these levels is marketing bull. You need to quadruple horsepower to double the speed. 20hp if you are coming off a 125cc makes a difference 20hp at this level will be barely noticeable.

    The track day angle is also silly – you would be better off with a genuine track bike (or three and a van and some spares).

    What the V4 does do is make bikes like the sublime 848 look like a real world bargain. And it makes Japanese litre bikes from a few years back look like an absolute steal.

    Audi is taking Ducati flagship bikes into the region of a poser only territory. I’ve not seen anyone ride one quickly on the road for ages, though I have seen a lot of older gents park them at cafes while they drink coffee.

    Maybe we are not supposed to actually buy them? Maybe they are the halo bikes that define the brand while Audi make the money sales of scramblers and monsters?

    1. Angus – European trackdays are rammed with Panigales for the last few years. Even the UK organised Euro track days usually have plenty as the owners often have trouble with the noise regulations in the UK so just stick to Euro trips.

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