The Ducati Panigale V4 is a sport bike with a desmodromic 90° V4 engine introduced by Ducati in 2018 as the successor to the V-twin engined 1299. A smaller engine displacement version complies with the Superbike category competition regulations which state "Over 750 cc up to 1000 cc" for three and four cylinder 4-stroke engines.2019 FIM Superbike regulations (updated version 8 May 2019) FIM-live, 8 May 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019

The name "Panigale" comes from the small manufacturing town of Borgo Panigale, where Ducati is headquartered. The Panigale V4 uses the new Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine, derived from the Desmosedici MotoGP racing engine.

Development Wade says the Panigale V4 is Ducati's first large-production street bike with a V4 engine, Ducati having primarily used V-twins since the 1960s, except on prototypes and racing motorcycles. They had sold a short run of 1,500 street-legal V4 Desmosedici RRs in 2007 and 2008 and made two prototypes of the Apollo V4 in 1964.

The initial development of the Panigale V4 started with the 2015 MotoGP racing engine. Ducati said the Panigale V4 was designed to combine racing features, while also being an entertaining and rideable motorcycle with a durable engine. This created the challenge of designing an engine that could keep the MotoGP engine's counter-rotating crankshaft, and large bore diameter, but have the service intervals expected on consumer motorcycles. Originally, Ducati was initially keeping the MotoGP bike's chassis, but later changed to a completely new front frame they said has less weight and more stability.

Design Cycle World said in spite of being a V4, the new Panigale is only slightly wider than the V-twin 1299. The weight is heavier than the 1299, with foot pegs higher. Unlike the prior 1199 and 1299 where the engine is the primary element of the frame, the engine is surrounded by a more conventional aluminum perimeter frame.

The Panigale V4's electronics include a wheelie control system derived from the 1299 Superleggera, along with traction and drift control. It has carbon fiber wheels, Brembo Stylema R front brakes, and a dry weight of 173 kg. The brakes have a new ABS designed for high speed cornering. Ducati and Brembo designed -lighter brake calipers than the 1299's. The bike's tires, the Diablo Super Corsa SP developed by Ducati and Pirelli, have a new rear compound.

Engine The Panigale V4's desmodromic 90° V4 engine, unlike the prior 1199 and 1299 where the engine is the primary element of the frame, is surrounded by a more conventional aluminum perimeter frame. The engine is rotated further backwards than other Ducatis, so that the swingarm pivot is mated to the rear cylinders, rather than lower on the engine near the crankshaft. Unlike most street bikes and previous Ducatis other than MotoGP racing machines, the Panigale V4's engine rotates in the opposite direction to the wheels, counteracting the gyroscopic effect and therefore decreasing the force necessary to change the bike's inclination.

Variants Panigale V4 S

The Panigale V4 S is a more performance-oriented version of the base V4. It has an Öhlins suspension that the rider can electronically adjust, or set to the sport, race, or street modes typical of contemporary performance bikes. It also has a lightweight lithium battery, and forged aluminium wheels, reducing the bike's overall weight.

Panigale V4 Speciale

The Panigale V4 Speciale has the S model options, and adds adjustable footpads, an Alcantara-trimmed seat, a top triple clamp, carbon mudguards, a data analyzer system, and race fuel cap. It also has a titanium exhaust and race kit that increases the power from to .

Panigale V4 R

The Panigale V4 R is a WSBK homologation special of the standard V4. Compared to the standard engine of the Panigale V4/V4 S, the V4 R uses a variant to comply with WSBK rules. This engine produces at 15,500 rpm and of torque at 12,000 rpm with a dry weight of and kerb weight of . The optional race kit package raises engine power to at 15,500 rpm and of torque at 12,250 rpm while reducing weight by . This makes the V4 R the most powerful current street-legal production bike available in the world, meaning that, with a dry weight of 167 kg, it reaches a power-to-weight ratio of 1.42. The engine has a rev limit of 18,250 rpm. The frame has been reworked and the swingarm pivot can be adjusted. The fairing has been widened by as part of the aerodynamic styling. According to the Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali, the winglets applied to the V4 R fairing are almost identical to the GP16 MotoGP bike. The suspension uses fully adjustable titanium nitrided NPX front forks by Öhlins, and the rear a fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 monoshock.

Panigale V4 Superleggera

For 2020, Ducati introduced the Panigale V4 Superleggera. This is the third superleggera incarnation after the 1199 and 1299 superleggera models. As with previous Superleggeras, a run of only 500 were manufactured, with reduced weight being the design philosophy. The frame, swingarm and rims are all manufactured from carbon. It produces @ 15,250 rpm and of torque at 11,750 rpm or @ 15,500 rpm and of torque at 11,750 rpm with full racing exhaust), and has a dry weight of or with the race kit. This makes the V4 Superleggera the most powerful street-legal production bike available in the world, meaning that, with a dry weight of 152.2 kg, it reaches a power-to-weight ratio of 1.56.

Panigale V4 Superleggera Centenario For 2026, Ducati announced the Panigale V4 Superleggera Centenario to celebrate the 100th anniversary. This is the fourth superleggera incarnation after the 1199, 1299 and V4 superleggera models. As with previous Superleggeras, a run of only 500 were manufactured with a Tricolore version limited to an additional 100, with increased power and reduced weight being the design philosophy. The frame, swingarm, rims and front fork are all manufactured from carbon, whilst the front brake discs are carbon-ceramic. It produces @ 14,750 rpm and of torque at 10,750 rpm or @ 15,500 rpm and of torque at 11,750 rpm with full racing exhaust), and has a dry weight of or with the race kit. Powering the motorcycle is a new Desmosedici Stradale R 1100 engine with a total displacement of 1103cc and it uses the same electronics package as the 2026 Panigale V4 R inheriting new features like neutral lock.

Panigale V4 Tricolore This Ducati Panigale V4 Tricolore released by Ducati for the brand’s centenary is exclusive and produced in just 1000 units with special components such as carbon fibre wheels and the Brembo racing braking system. Panigale V4 Lamborghini During Milan Design Week, Ducati and Lamborghini have established a collaboration by releasing a Ducati Panigale V4 Lamborghini and a Lamborghini Revuelto with the same two-tone livery in Grigio Telesto and Nero Noctis with details and logo of number 63 in Verde Scandal. This represents the third time in the partnership between Ducati and Lamborghini. This event was called The Art of Unexpected.

Specifications Panigale V4 R Panigale V4 Superleggera Panigale V4 Superleggera Centenario Engine liquid-cooled 4-stroke desmodromic 16-valve DOHC 90° V4 Displacement 997.6 cc 1102.7 cc Bore x Stroke 249.5 cc 275.67 cc Compression Ratio 14.0:1 Power @ 15,750 rpm @ 15,250 rpm @ 15,500 rpm with the race kit @ 14,750 rpm @ 14,750 rpm with race exhaust Torque @ 12,000 rpm @ 11,750 rpm @ 11,750 rpm with racing exhaust @ 10,750 rpm @ 12,500 rpm with racing exhaust Gearbox 6-speed manual with neutral lock, hydraulically controlled dry slipper clutch, chain final drive 6-speed manual, hydraulically controlled dry slipper clutch, chain final drive 6-speed manual with neutral lock, hydraulically controlled dry slipper clutch, chain final drive Fuel tank capacity (includes 3 L reserve) (includes 3 L reserve) (includes 3 L reserve) WeightThe weight excludes battery, lubricants and, where applicable, cooling liquid. Wet weight no fuel Dry weight with the race kit Wet weight no fuel with the race kit

References

External links