Thursday is always spaghetti day for us. Ducati has recently added some extra bolognese by announcing a new model every Thursday. Today’s turn: the new Ducati Panigale V4 and Panigale V4S.
Ducati thought that the appearance could still last a while after four years. The new Panigale V4, which launched the concept of ‘wings’ on a road motorcycle four years ago, will only get a new set of wings. They now have a different shape and are double, so that they cause less air resistance, but just as much downward pressure with 30 kg at 270 km/h. The underside of the fairing was modified with other air slots to keep the engine cooler.
That has remained a 1,103cc V4, but now with 215.5 hp (158.5 kW) at 13,000 rpm (+1.5 hp). That gain comes mainly from a more efficient oil pump, which absorbs less power, and other exhausts with a slightly larger diameter. If you never find it enough, you can opt for an optional, 5 kilograms lighter Akrapovic exhaust, good for 228 hp – although it is only approved for track use. The Slovenian stove tube is also quieter than the previous one (105 instead of 109 hp). The maximum torque drops from 124 to 123.6 Nm, but the Akra pumps that back to 131 Nm.
In the new motor mapping you can now choose Full, High, Medium or Low. With the first you only get full power in first gear, in Low the power of the Ducati Panigale V4 is limited to 150 hp and the throttle response is less toxic. If Low is your ideal setting, then you should opt for the new Panigale V2, but well…
The gearbox has also been overhauled: the first, fifth and sixth have been lengthened. The aim is to make it easier to use first gear when exiting tight corners, while the longer fifth and sixth gears boost the top speed by 5 km/h. The swingarm pivot has been raised 4mm so that the rear sags less when accelerating. So at least in the Medium mapping that will be blasting away from the local roundabout…
The dashboard got an update, a matter of being able to read and set all important info while you chase your lap record like crazy – you can’t order a pizza Quattro Stagioni on the way.
Incidentally, the Panigale V4 gives you a helping hand in chasing lap records with a new sitting position; including a flatter saddle and a modified tank shape.
The more expensive S version traditionally gets Öhlins springs, which now offers a better NPX 25/30 UPSD fork with 5 mm extra travel at the front. The TTX36 rear monoshock remains – both electronically controlled, of course. Prices will have to wait for the local Ducati department to translate the press release…
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