Make : Ducati Model : Panigale
So, just as the Ducati MotoGP project returned to a twin-spar aluminum perimeter frame, the engineers looked at a similar solution for the road bike. However, a traditional beam frame was working out to be too heavy, so the result was this new ‘front-frame' concept. This is essentially a smaller frame mounted to the front of the V4 engine, while the rear bank of cylinders is attached to the swingarm and rear sub-frame, which also connects to the end of the front frame. In all, the new frame contributes to the V4 S’ low kerb weight of 195kg – just 4.5kg heavier than the previous V-twin powered Panigale.
V-twin engines are the essence of a Ducati sports bike, so switching to a V4 was clearly a big decision. The call was made primarily because of the packaging challenges posed by V-twin engines that were steadily getting larger and larger in the quest to match and beat the latest four-cylinder rivals. The fact that the Panigales are the only generation of a Ducati superbike to have never won a WSBK title plays a role here, too.
Coming back to the engine, the new motor is more compact in terms of length and height, but grows in width by 43mm. The engine is rotated backwards by 42 degrees, which makes additional room for larger radiators and also allows a further forward swingarm pivot point. The 81mm bore, 90-degree V-angle as well as a ‘twin-pulse’ firing order are shared with the V4 engine in the MotoGP. However, Ducati stroked the motor out to displace 1,103cc, primarily for the purpose of offering a strong swell of torque that would be highly appreciated on a road bike. A 1,000cc racing version will be developed to meet the regulations of WSBK by 2019.
he engine uses a clever variable intake system that varies the intake-track length based on the performance requirement. Another lesson taken from MotoGP comes in the counter-rotating crankshaft which spins in the opposite direction to the rear wheel. This combats the gyroscopic effect of the wheels, which results in better agility. It also works against the inertia generated by the rear wheel and helps keep the front wheel down under hard acceleration and while also reducing the tendency of the rear wheel to lift under heavy braking.
Both the Panigale V4 and V4 S share identical engine specs – 214hp and 124Nm of toque, with a lofty 14,500rpm rev limit. A compression ratio of 14:1 means this engine has a thirst for high-octane fuel, something worth keeping in mind. Ducati says that they’ve retained some of the feel and character of the V-twin in the new V4 and that’s evident the moment you fire the engine up. The motor settles into a gruff and mechanical-sounding idle with a fair amount of clatter, quite like the V-twin. But the sound transitions into a mean and angry bark at higher revs which is quite reminiscent of the Ducati MotoGP bike.
The Panigale goes just as fast as it sounds, too, pulling incredibly hard after 8,000rpm, all the way to the redline. It’s a
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