Motorcycle specifications DucatiSuperleggera V4 2020 The inferno of excellence

Ducati has once again raised the hypersport hierarchy to a higher level. With this Superleggera V4, the manufacturer seems to forget limits, prohibitions and reason. The important thing is to offer a unique machine. A sportsbike that is sufficiently exceptional to rival the world championship benchmarks. This super Panigale does just that, with a sublime choice of materials and design. Well, almost.
It all began a long time ago, when Ducati offered special series to homologate these machines in WSBK. First came the SP, then the SPS, and then the R. Now, above all these considerations, we have the Superleggera.
Italy's passion can be felt right down to the tools. You can feel the mechanical fervor emanating from every relief of this silhouette. Fierce, the Superleggera V4 is as much about biting the heart as the stopwatch. Imagine the violence once the engine is alive. Everyone will want to discover it from every angle, to taste every element that makes it up. Then they'll skin their hips if they get too close to the whiskers.
With the arrival of the Panigale V4 R, Ducati brought winglet technology back from MotoGP for its production bikes. Two small fins were used to generate downforce and stability. The Superleggera goes further, with many more appendages. Perhaps too far... With a pair of carbon snow shovels plus two more shelves underneath, the front end of the hypersport is really loaded. It's the first time that a Ducati of this calibre has lost so much slenderness, even going so far as to rival a GT in width.
These fins aren't there for show (well, no...). They provide 50 kilos of front-end offset at 270 km/h. By comparison, those of the 2020 Panigale V4 and V4S, as well as the V4R, are 30 kg. Ducati becomes obsessed with aerodynamics, without forgetting to stuff its diva with noble parts.
Let's be clear. Aluminum is also used for the wheel hubs, suspension links, footrests, control levers, radiator cap and fork crown. A little Ergal? Yes, for the crown gear at the end of the transmission.
Titanium is abundant. It's the raw material for the entire exhaust system, the rear wheel nut and the rear shock absorber spring.
Now we come to carbon. A constituent of the winglets, it is also the very consistency of the Superleggera's skeleton and bodywork. Let's make a list. The entire fairing is made from it, saving 600 grams in weight. The underside is opulent, with an ultra-light backbone. The Panigale d'excellence and before had already paved the way. the 1199 and 1299 Superleggera captivated the motorcycling community with their carbon frames, swingarm and a host of other parts. For the Superleggera V4, the same privileges apply. The use of this material saves 1.2 kg on the frame, the same amount on the rear triangle, 900 grams on the swingarm (extended), and 3.4 kg on the wheels (BSTs). It's also used for the mudguards, gearbox output sprocket cover, air intake ducts, rear head cover, contactor surround, and a few other bits and pieces.
The Superleggera trims no less than 16 kilos from the Panigale V4. Only 159 kilos show up dry on the scales. Staggering. That's the weight of a MotoGP bike with a rabbit on it. But....
That's 3 more than the previous 1299 Panigale Superleggera. Has Ducati forgotten an ingredient in the diet recipe? No, the effort is simply different, and even more commendable. Between a 1299 Panigale and its Superleggera cousin, we went from 166 to 156 kilos - here, we start at 175 and end up at 159 kilos. I'll let you do the math.
To take full advantage of this, it's best to fit the parts included in the special track kit. It adds 10 hp, a few kilos less and boosts torque to 12 mkg. This gives you the same power asa V4 R with racing exhaust, i.e. 234 hp. To power a much lighter bike.
The demonic power of the V4 passes through several stages before reaching the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tire. First, it passes through an STM EVO-SBK dry clutch, then through a lightened Regina ORAW2 chain (used in MotoGP) with a 520 pitch - weight saving for the final drive: 1.4 kg.
Upstream, electronics are involved in every sense of the word. The presence of a 6-axis inertial unit gives greater precision to some of the assistants. The Superleggera V4 features DTC EVO2 traction control, DSC glide control, ABS Cornering EVO, DWC EVO anti-wheeling, EBC EVO engine brake management, DQS EVO 2 Up&Down shifter and DPL standing start assistant.
There are also 5 additional modes to save your preferences according to the circuit.
Once you're in, you'll be able to take advantage of other functions. A little safety in the pits with the speed limiter, then performance monitoring with the DDA+GPS data analyzer. The color TFT speedometer features 3 display interfaces. A "Track" featuring the rev counter and lap times - A "Road" more suited to road use - And a "RaceGP" goodie that can only be activated once the race exhaust ECU has been installed. The latter displays information in the same way as the Desmosedici GP20 handset
ah, for lap times, the DLT GPS automatically detects them and can also take split times. The system also stores the coordinates of the Laguna Seca, Jerez, Mugello, Sepang and Losail circuits, simplifying the set-up procedure.
There's even a DMS multimedia system for pairing a smartphone. But who'd think of receiving phone calls once in a trance with such a machine!?!!
To give you an idea of the level of performance, the Superleggera V4 gives back just 2 seconds to the official Panigale V4R in WSBK on a lap of Mugello, and is virtually on a par with the Moto2 record. The combination of the Aero pack, the mill's power and the bike's reduced weight enable it to exit corners faster - in a slow bend at 50 km/, the Superleggera extracts itself 6 km/h faster than a normal Panigale V4.
Already highly exclusive by virtue of its technology and price, the Superleggera V4 will also maintain desire and rarity with its rate of production. Haute couture is not the same as ready-to-wear. At Borgo Panigale, only five of these machines will be built per day. Until 500 units are produced. They will be delivered with front and rear stand stands, a device to maintain the battery charge and the racing kit* to optimize the bike to the max. The fork crown in machined, openwork aluminum is engraved with the bike's name and serial number.
But that's not all. The purchase of this jewel comes with a rare privilege. Each customer will be able to live an immersive Superbike experience: they will be able to test ride the official Panigale V4 R of the SBK World Championship. The same Panigale that gave the whole field a run for their money in the first half of the 2019 season. This bonus will take place over the summer at the Mugello circuit.
Ducati's accessories also include a Dainese airbag combarde and an Araï carbon helmet, both matching the Superleggera V4.
The Ducati Superleggera is a cut above the rest. The production machine that can offer the closest experience to the world's best racing machines. Armored with exceptional parts, it's a dream come true for an equally unreal price. 100,000 a piece.
M.B - Media credits: manufacturer
* The racing kit increases the Superleggera V4's dry power to weight ratio from 1.41 bhp/kg to 1.54 bhp/kg. This compares with 1.12 on an Aprilia RSV4 1000 RR, 0.74 on a Triumph 765 Street Triple RS, and 0.22 on an Indian 1890 Roadmaster.
It includes a complete titanium exhaust system for the track (- 6 kilos), a carbon open clutch cover, components to replace the rear road fittings, rear axle support covers, and a carbon fiber clutch cover.re, aluminum mirror support covers, DDA+GPS telemetry, a racing tank cover, a brake lever guard, a kickstand removal kit and a protective cover.


