News 7 Feb 2020

Ducati uncovers limited edition Superleggera V4

Image: Supplied.

Ducati has uncovered its limited edition Superleggera V4 that will be available in just 500 units, the unique motorcycle being the only street-legal Superbike featuring a completely composite chassis.

Many components are made of carbon fibre, moulded into advanced aerodynamic shapes. These include the fairing, which ensures a level of aerodynamic efficiency that matches and exceeds that of current MotoGP bikes.

Thanks to the ‘biplane’ aerofoils inspired by the 2016 Ducati MotoGP, with the highest performance in this field, it can guarantee a downforce of 50kg at 270kph, 20kg more than that created by the aerofoils on the Panigale V4 MY20 and V4 R. This downforce improves acceleration, by countering the tendency to wheel-up, and increases braking stability.

Beneath the carbon skin lies the Desmosedici Stradale R engine, lighter and more powerful than ever. The 998cc 90-degree V4 that powers the Superleggera V4 weighs, in fact, 2.8kg less than the 1103cc V4.

Thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre, titanium and magnesium components and others machined from solid aluminium, the Superleggera V4 has a dry weight of just 159kg (16 kg less than the Panigale V4), resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of 1.41hp/kg – a record-breaking figure for a road-legal sports bike. Mounting the supplied Racing kit and switching the bike to its track configuration boosts power to 234 hp, dropping the weight to 152.2 kg and raising the power-to-weight ratio to 1.54hp/kg.

Other standard items include a lighter Ohlins suspension system, with a pressurised fork and lighter machined aluminium fork bottoms, a titanium shock absorber spring and GP-derived valves that improve the damping of road bumps during the initial compression stage.

The braking system is the best in the Brembo production range, with an MCS calliper featuring a remotely adjusted lever gap and Stylema® R callipers, exclusive to the Superleggera V4, to provide greater front-brake stroke consistency in long track runs.

The exclusiveness of the materials and technical solutions is reflected in the limited number of bikes: just 500, all individually numbered and provided with a certificate of authenticity. The bike ID number (XXX/500), which matches the VIN, is displayed on the frame, fork yoke and ignition key. The start of deliveries is planned for June 2020 in Europe and, given the extreme complexity of the production of so many components, the rate is limited to only five bikes per day. However, all the bikes will be produced within 2020.