Ducati is onto its second of four teasers about the upcoming Multistrada V4 model, and today we learn the theorem that “the power is smooth and thrilling on demand.”
That isn’t too much of a reveal, but reports from Italy are saying that the follow-up to that release is that the Ducati Multistrada V4 will make 170hp when it debuts, which is a bit of news.
That number is a little less than the 180hp we were expecting from the Italian brand, though it is inline with what we heard from Borgo Panigale – that the Ducati Multistrada V4 would not a 200hp beast of an ADV bike.
Instead, the Italian factory told us to expect a motorcycle that had an ethos that valued rideability and fuel consumption, as much as it did outright performance.
That guiding light is also likely the reason behind Ducati’s news from last week, that the V4 engine would be lighter than its v-twin predecessor, and the rumors that it would be an 1,158cc machine.
To increase the combustion volume, Ducati has likely increased the stroke for the Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine, in order to add more torque and thus increase the bike’s on-road focus.
What will be interesting though will be to see how Ducati manages the V4 engine in an off-road application.
Some of the spy photos that we have seen of the Ducati Multistrada V4 look like they came straight from the Ducati press office, and show the bike ripping and shredding dirt roads.
This gives us the clear indication that Ducati sees the Multistrada V4 not as a more on-road focused version of the current v-twin model, but instead a direct replacement.
Also of note is the double-sided swingarm and 19″ front wheel that has been spotted on the “enduro” spec of the machine.
While a four-cylinder engine doesn’t lend itself to hooking up will in low-traction situations, like dirt, sand, and mud, the V4 platform does create an interesting opportunity for Ducati, in the form of cylinder disabling.
The Italian brand prides itself on its technological prowess (the Multistrada V4 will be the first motorcycle to debut with adaptive cruise control, for example), and adding the ability to disable two of the ADV bike’s four cylinders could be an interesting way to manage an “off-road” engine configuration on the Multistrada V4.
When you think back to the “thrilling on demand” line of Ducati’s second theorem, perhaps this is what they mean?
It is just pure speculation on our part, but it would be an interesting feature and well within the realm of what Ducati is capable of achieving.
We have 10 more days until the Ducati Multistrada V4 debuts, and still two more “theorem” reveals to come (Oct. 8th & 13th). Until then.
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