Limited Edition Panigale V2 Marks the End of an Era
In a significant announcement that has sent ripples through the motorcycle community, Ducati has revealed that they are ending production of their legendary Superquadro V-twin engine. To commemorate this milestone, Ducati is releasing a special edition Panigale V2 supersport bike, limited to just 555 units.
A Legacy of V-Twin Supersport Bikes
This news heralds the potential end of the traditional Ducati V-twin sportsbike, with future models likely transitioning to V4 engines. The special edition Panigale V2 brings to a close over 30 years of dominance by Ducati’s 90-degree V-twin engines, renowned for their four desmodromic valves per cylinder.
These engines have powered iconic models such as the 748, 749, 848, 899, and 959 Panigale. The new limited edition will be available in October 2024, with a price tag of £23,500, positioning it a notch above the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.
The Evolution of the Superquadro Engine
The Superquadro engine first debuted in the 1199 Panigale in 2012, during a period of intense competition spurred by the BMW S1000RR. Over the years, the platform evolved and now resides in the 955cc, 153bhp Panigale V2. The final version of this engine features components such as magnesium head, clutch, and oil pan covers, with the engine serving as a stressed member of the bike.
Impact on the Streetfighter V2
The discontinuation of the Superquadro engine could also affect the £16,395 Streetfighter V2, which shares the same engine and chassis components. The future of this model remains uncertain.
Special Edition Highlights
To justify its £6205 price increase over the standard V2, the special edition boasts a unique white, red, black, and grey livery, designed in collaboration with Drudi Performance and Centro Stile Ducati. Technical drawings of engine components are displayed on the bodywork, and the bike weighs in at 190kg ready to go without fuel, which is 3kg lighter than the standard version.
Key features include:
- Golden 48mm Öhlins upside down, fully adjustable forks
- Mono shock mounted to the single-sided swingarm
- Adjustable Rizoma riders’ footpegs made of billet aluminium
- Carbon fibre components on mudguards, exhaust silencer, chain guard, and more
For those looking to take this machine to the track, Ducati provides a number plate and mirror removal kit, a billet aluminium fuel filler cap, and a GPS module for data gathering.
Looking to the Future
Whether Ducati will replace the Superquadro with a new mid-size V-twin sportsbike remains to be seen. For more information, visit ducati.com.
This marks the end of an illustrious chapter in Ducati’s history, as the brand shifts gears towards the future.
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