We knew the time would come when Ducati would create a Superleggera version of its Panigale V4 superbike, and while it was premature to think that we would see that machine at EICMA last year, we are indeed closing in on that magical date.
The news starts with an email sent to very select Ducatisti, straight from Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali, which teased the “Project 1708” superbike was coming soon.
Today, we get our first glimpse of the specs, which have been leaked onto the internet (shown at the end of this story). How does 234hp, 335 lbs dry (152kg), MotoGP-derived biplanes aerodynamic wings, and of course unobtanium at every detail, sound to you?.
It’s not clear from the information at this point whether Ducati is using the 1,103cc V4 engine found on the Panigale V4 and Panigale V4 S, or if the 998cc engine from the Panigale V4 R.
Judging from the power figures and engine rpm for peak power and peak torque, it would seem to our eyes that Ducati has tapped the Desmosedici Stradale R engine, and that the V4 motor is largely unchanged from its already ridiculously powerful nature.
This means a base power figure of 221 (162 kW), but a claimed 234hp with the installed Akrapovic exhaust that comes with the Superleggera V4. Other changes we expect to see should be fairly obvious, however.
Carbon fiber wheels and bodywork are for certain, and it seems that the aerodynamics package will come from the Desmosedici GP16 MotoGP bike, with biplane winglets that produce 110 lbs of downforce at 168 mph – 67% more downforce than what is created on Panigale V4 R.
With a dry weight figure of 152kg, it’s hard to say what the Ducati Superleggera will weigh when it is ready to ride, but we do know that dry number is 20kg lighter than the Ducati Panigale V4 R. With some guesstimation, this should mean a curb weight of a featherlight 382 lbs.
The bike’s livery will come from the 2019 MotoGP program, and a dry clutch kit will come with the package. A numbered and limited edition, we would expect to see only 500 units made.
That is probably a good thing, considering the price tag that is expected to come with the Ducati Superleggera V4, and you better start saving. Pricing for the American market is expected to be $100,000 with deliveries coming in May 2020.
With more information surely on the way, be sure to stay tuned to Asphalt & Rubber for future details and photos.
Source: Figgy MOTO via GPOne
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