Unveiling the 2012 Ducati Desmosedici GP12 online today, Ducati not only gave us our first glimpse at the Ducati Corse team livery, but the Italian race team also “disclosed” the technical specifications of its MotoGP race bike. Of course the details are rather plain and vague, as not to give too much away, but there are some interesting things to point out. Producing 230+ hp and weighing 157 kg (346 lbs) dry, the GP12 is no slouch on paper.
Retaining the same 90° piston configuration, the V4 desmodromic motor has clearly been rotated backwards, as was rumored. This change is evidenced by the singular and solid radiator grill at the front of the fairings, and would allow Ducati Corse to move the engine’s center of mass back and forth in the chassis to a greater degree. Speaking of chassis, the 90% new factory GP12 features an aluminum twin-spar frame, which was designed by Ducati Corse and rumored to have been built by FTR.
This Desmosedici GP12 “Phoenix” chassis design will be exclusive to the Ducati Corse factory team in MotoGP for several races, with satellite teams likely to get the updated chassis design about a third of the way into the season. This means that satellite Ducati riders, like Karel Abraham, will use the Desmosedici “GP0” design that debuted at the Valencia test after the conclusion of the 2011 season. It has certainly been a long road for Ducati in MotoGP this past season, and now we will see if all the hard work will pay off for the Italian company. Technical specifications and a couple videos are after the jump.
Ducati Desmosedici GP12 Technical Specifications:
| Engine: | Liquid-cooled, 90 degree V4 four-stroke, desmodromic DOHC, four valves per cylinder |
| Capacity: | 1,000cc |
| Maximum power: | More than 230hp |
| Maximum speed: | In excess of 330 km/h (205 mph) |
| Transmission: | Ducati Seamless Transmission (DST). Chain final drive |
| Carburation: | Indirect Magneti Marelli electronic injection, four throttle bodies with injectors above butterfly valves Throttles operated by EVO TCF (Throttle Control & Feedback) system |
| Fuel: | Shell Racing V-Power |
| Lubricant: | Shell Advance Ultra 4 |
| Ignition: | Magneti Marelli |
| Exhaust: | Termignoni |
| Final Drive: | D.I.D Chain |
| Frame: | Aluminium |
| Suspension: | Öhlins inverted 48mm fork and Öhlins shock absorber, adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping |
| Tyres: | Bridgestone 16.5″ front and rear |
| Brakes: | Brembo, two 320mm carbon front discs with four-piston callipers. Single stainless steel rear disc with two-piston calliper |
| Dry weight: | 157 kg (346 lbs.) |
Studio Photos of the 2012 Ducati Desmosedici GP12:
Source: Ducati Corse
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