Ducati has unveiled the Superleggera V4 Centenario, a new ultra-exclusive superbike celebrating the brand’s 100-year anniversary and representing what the company describes as the most extreme road-legal motorcycle it has ever created. Press: Ducati ANZThe model was revealed as part of the Ducati World Première program and showcases the very latest engineering and materials developed by the Italian manufacturer.

The Centenario project marks a significant milestone for Ducati as the company celebrates its centenary in 2026. According to Ducati, the Superleggera V4 Centenario pushes the limits of what is possible for a production motorcycle, combining advanced materials, cutting-edge engineering and racing-derived technology in a road-legal package.

At the heart of the new model is a design philosophy centred around extreme lightness and performance. The Superleggera name itself translates from Italian as “super light”, and the Centenario version takes that concept even further through the extensive use of advanced materials and engineering solutions developed directly from Ducati’s racing programs.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the motorcycle is its carbon-fibre chassis construction, which includes the front frame, swingarm, subframes and wheels. This makes it the only road-legal motorcycle equipped with a chassis entirely made from carbon fibre, highlighting Ducati’s ongoing pursuit of reducing weight while maintaining maximum structural rigidity and performance.

Power comes from the Desmosedici Stradale R 1100 engine, a highly specialised V4 developed specifically for the Superleggera project. The engine features lightweight internal components including titanium elements and a specially designed crank train, helping to reduce weight compared with the standard Panigale-derived powerplant.

In standard European configuration the engine produces 228 horsepower, while the addition of Ducati’s full racing kit lifts output to an astonishing 247 horsepower, delivering performance figures that place the Superleggera V4 Centenario among the most powerful road-legal motorcycles ever built.

Weight has also been reduced through the use of lightweight materials such as carbon fibre, titanium and magnesium components. When equipped with the racing kit the motorcycle achieves a wet weight of just 167kg (without fuel), giving it a remarkable power-to-weight ratio of approximately 1.48 hp per kilogram in race configuration.

Ducati has also introduced several world-first technologies on the Centenario model. Among the most notable are Brembo Hyction carbon-ceramic brake discs, which are being used for the first time on a road-going sportbike. These discs offer fade resistance and reduced unsprung mass compared with conventional braking systems.

The front suspension also represents a technological milestone. The Öhlins forks fitted to the Centenario incorporate carbon-fibre outer tubes, a solution that Ducati says reduces weight by around 34 percent compared with traditional aluminium fork tubes while maintaining the strength required for extreme performance riding.

Production of the Superleggera V4 Centenario will be extremely limited. Ducati has confirmed two versions of the model:

GP26 Rosso Centenario – limited to 500 units

Centenario Tricolore – limited to 100 units

Both versions are individually numbered and supplied with a certificate of authenticity, reflecting the motorcycle’s status as a collector-grade machine celebrating Ducati’s 100-year heritage.

Ownership of the Superleggera V4 Centenario also includes access to exclusive Ducati experiences. One of the most notable is the MotoGP Experience, an invitation-only event reserved for owners of the motorcycle. During the event, participants have the opportunity to ride the Desmosedici GP MotoGP machine at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”, following specialised training and preparation sessions with Ducati instructors and the Ducati Corse team.

The experience is limited to a small number of participants and forms part of the wider centenary celebrations, providing owners with a unique opportunity to experience Ducati’s racing technology in its purest form on track.

With its carbon-fibre chassis, MotoGP-derived engineering and extremely limited production numbers, the Superleggera V4 Centenario represents the pinnacle of Ducati’s current engineering capability. It is not only a celebration of the brand’s first century but also a demonstration of how far motorcycle performance and technology have evolved.

For Ducati enthusiasts and collectors alike, the Centenario model is likely to become one of the most coveted motorcycles the company has ever produced. BikeReview.com.au will be taking a much deeper look at the Ducati Superleggera V4 Centenario in the coming weeks, including a detailed technical analysis and a full image gallery showcasing this extraordinary machine. Stay tuned for our full deep dive soon.

Main Standard Equipment

Desmosedici Stradale R 1100 engine, 1103 cc

Titanium intake valves

Hand-adjusted desmodromic valve train with nameplate and fitter’s signature

Lightweight crankshaft with tungsten inserts

Lightweight two-ring pistons with 18 mm piston pin

Titanium connecting rods

Titanium engine bolts

Maximum Power of 228 hp @ 14,500 rpm (247 hp @ 14,750 rpm with racing exhaust)

Maximum Torque of 117.6 Nm @ 10,500 rpm (126.3 @ 12,500 with racing exhaust)

Wet weight without fuel: 173 kg (167 kg with racing exhaust)

Ducati Racing Gearbox with Ducati Neutral Lock

STM Revo clutch

Carbon fibre front frame

Carbon fibre rear frame

Carbon fibre double-sided swingarm

Öhlins NPX25/30 Carbon pressurised fork with carbon fibre outer tubes and billet fork bottoms

Öhlins TTX36 GP LW shock absorber with lightweight special steel spring

Dedicated carbon fibre wheels

Brembo braking system with Hyction 340 mm carbon-ceramic discs and GP4-HY billet monoblock calipers

Latest-generation electronics package with 6D IMU: four-level cornering ABS; Ducati Traction Control (DTC) DVO; Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) DVO; Ducati Slide Control; Ducati Power Launch (DPL) DVO; Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) 2.0; Engine Brake Control (EBC) DVO with Dynamic Engine Brake (DEB) strategy.

Akrapovic racing exhaust with DAVC software and dedicated calibration ***

Dedicated lower fairing ***

Open carbon fibre clutch cover ***

Swingarm protectors

Alternator cover protector

Headlight, side stand, number plate holder and indicators removal kit ***

Machined aluminium racing fuel cap ***

Brake lever guard

Battery charger

Neoprene racing seat

Dedicated wooden crate

Dedicated paddock stands, mat and motorcycle cover

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