Rejoice!! Ducati has unveiled the Superleggera V4. It is, as Ducati puts it, the “most powerful and technologically advanced” production bike the company has ever produced.
Superleggera means ‘super-light’ in Italian. To keep the weight down, Superleggera ditches the aluminium bits for carbon fibre and it’s been used to form every component possible to improve performance. In all, Ducati has managed to trim 6.7kg, which is significant for a high-performance superbike.
The Superleggera V4 features carbon-fibre fairing, wheels, swingarm, frame and subframe. The claimed power-to-weight ratio in this street-legal configuration is 1.41hp/kg. Ducati will also supply a track-only, titanium Akrapovic exhaust that reduces the weight further to 152.2kg, while bumping up the power-to-weight ratio to 1.54hp/kg.
It also gets a lightweight engine. The Superleggera V4’s 998cc, the liquid-cooled motor is 2.8kg lighter than the 1,103cc Panigale V4 motor, and develops 224hp in the street-legal trim.
There is a comprehensive suite of electronics to keep everything in check with three reprogrammed riding modes – Race A, Race B and Sports. The Ducati Traction Control (DTC), and up and down Ducati Quickshifter (DQS) have been updated to EVO2 (latest generation) specifications.
Besides the advanced electronics, the Ohlins suspension has also been optimised. The fork bottoms are now made of lighter aluminium, while the titanium shock absorber and GP-derived valves offer improved damping while tackling road bumps, says Ducati.
The company has also employed its MotoGP aero tech to develop the huge bi-plane wings on the fairing. At 270kph, it produces 50kg downforce, 20kg more than the wings on the 2020 Panigale V4 and V4 R.
The Superleggera will be eye-wateringly expensive, and that’s not just because of the exotic materials and the high performance, but also because it is limited to 500 units, worldwide. Spending a bomb on the Superleggera V4 will also give owners access to a special ‘SBK experience’ – which is a chance to ride the Panigale V4 SBK race machine at Mugello.
If that wasn’t enough, 30 Superleggera V4 owners will get a chance to ride the Ducati Desmosedici GP20 Moto GP machine under the able guidance of Ducati Corse technicians. Another addition to the list of exclusives is that owners can also purchase a Superleggera V4 special edition Dainese tracksuit, with a D-Air airbag system and a matching, carbon-fibre ARAI helmet.
The Ducati Superleggera V4 deliveries will begin in Europe from June 2020. The company can only produce five bikes a day but it intends to complete all 500 units by the end of 2020. More information on if the bike will come to India once Ducati India gets back to us.
